Program on Adult Development and Aging

Comprehensive and collaborative. Since 1972.

The Program on Adult Development and Aging thrives with the participation of several of the university’s schools, colleges and departments.

Courses in adult development and aging, also known as gerontology or aging studies, meet many departmental requirements, including general education and social science requirements.

Adult development and aging, as an area of emphasis, is integrated into both undergraduate degree programs in human development and family sciences, kinesiology, nutrition and dietetics, public health, and a variety of other majors that include students planning a career in the health professions or research into aging processes, including biochemistry/biophysics, pharmacy, as well as those in other helping professions, including health administration, counseling, and social work.

A group of five smiling older adults in a park setting.

48th Annual OSU Gerontology Conference

We invite you to network with colleagues as well as local, national and internationally-known gerontology professionals.

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Oregon State University Alumni Center – Corvallis, Oregon

Details and registration

Program Information

Forward thinking, compassionate and creative faculty offer multidisciplinary course work in gerontology to both undergraduate and graduate students alike and provide:

Preparation for work with older adults as a specialty within a professional area, such as human services, health care, counseling, nutrition, pharmacy and more
Preparation for careers in aging programs, such as in senior centers, area agencies on aging, long-term care facilities and others
General education for personal growth and understanding
Stimulation of faculty and student research in gerontology
Community and continuing education in gerontology
Students enrolled in the program represent many disciplines, including dietetics, kinesiology, housing, human development and family sciences, health administration, pharmacy, philosophy, public health, pre-medicine, pre-optometry, psychology, sociology and many more.

Aging Sciences Certificate Competencies

Translate and apply relevant theory and research to practice with aging individuals, their families, and communities.
Demonstrate an understanding of the ecological contexts in which aging individuals and their families develop.
Demonstrate a value for diversity in practice with aging individuals, families and communities.
Critically evaluate public policy and practice with relevance to aging individual and family well-being.
Understand the methods by which public health identifies potential causes of population health status in later life, and identifies potential targets for intervention.
Describe the fundamental roles of public health and how those roles are operationalized in public health organization, funding, workforce, and regulations, especially as they apply to older individuals.

Contact Information

The Program on Adult Development and Aging is located on the campus of Oregon State University in Corvallis.

For more information, please contact Marilyn Thompson, PhD.