AGING STUDIES

The Aging Studies Program at Middle Tennessee State University is an interdisciplinary program of research and education focusing on aging and the elderly.  Faculty from nursing, nutrition, speech and language pathology, health, physical education, social work, psychology, and sociology conduct research and teach courses that provide students and aging professionals with the knowledge and expertise necessary to address challenges posed by an aging population.  The Aging Studies Program serves the university and community through both educational and service programs, often combining the two through service-learning and practicum opportunities made possible by extensive collaborations and partnerships with community agencies and organizations.  The program seeks to assist Aging Studies faculty achieve excellence in teaching, research, and scholarly activities by supporting research, faculty development, and encouraging participation in professional conferences.  The program achieves its educational goals by offering an undergraduate Minor in Gerontology and a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology and advocating the integration of aging issues across the curriculum.  The minor introduces students to the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging and complements a variety of majors. Students who complete the minor will be exposed to basic social policies and personal skills required for working effectively with older persons.  The graduate certificate provides advanced study in gerontology, allowing Master's candidates to add a gerontological focus to their Master's program and offering those working in the aging field an opportunity to enrich existing knowledge and skills while furthering opportunities for career advancement.

Why Study Gerontology?

Today there are more than 37 million Americans 65 or older, accounting for about 12.5 percent of the nation's population. These figures will increase dramatically over the next 25 years as baby boomers reach age 65. By 2030, there could be 71.5 million Americans 65 or older, almost double the current number. Growth in the elderly population means government agencies, healthcare institutions, businesses, and human service organizations will need trained employees who understand the biological, psychological, and social processes of aging and who have the skills necessary for working with an aging population. The interdisciplinary Minor in Gerontology and Graduate Certificate in Gerontology seek to provide students with this knowledge.

For more information about the Aging Studies Program, the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, or the undergraduate Minor in Gerontology, please contact Brandon Wallace at brandon.wallace@mtsu.edu or call (615) 898-5976.