Online Bachelors Degrees in Gerontology

If you pursue an online bachelor degree in gerontology, your coursework will likely focus on studying the aging process, which includes physiological, psychological, and social issues that older adults deal with. You will need to take a combination of courses related to biological science and sociology as well as fulfilling your liberal arts requirements. When looking into online bachelor degree programs, you should also consider schools that offer internships and hands-on opportunities to learn and gain experience outside the classroom. Most students who study gerontology at the bachelor degree level spend time volunteering or interning at organizations that provide services to the elderly, such as long-term care nursing facilities or senior centers.

To be prepared to handle the courses required in a bachelor level program, , it helps to have taken science courses at an advanced level in high school or in college. Other skills that will help you to succeed as an undergraduate and, later, as a professional in the field, include strong verbal and written skills, patience when dealing with people who have disabilities, and a true passion for nurturing and supporting elderly persons.

To help you network within the field and pursue your career, you may want to join Sigma Phi Omega (SPO), the national academic honor and professional society in gerontology. You can also join the Gerontological Society of America, which is a multidisciplinary organization for professionals in the field of aging.

Especially if you plan to work in a healthcare related field, you might look into further education. Advanced training or certifications are most likely needed if you wish to pursue other opportunities such as working as a nurse practitioner, health services manager, counselor, social worker, occupational therapist, physical therapist, elder-law lawyer, or long-term care case worker.