Gerontology
The aging population is booming. Become a service professional for one of Canada’s fastest-growing populations.
Overview
Shape the future of senior care
Explore how people change as they grow older and learn how to support their well-being with the Gerontology program at Laurentian University. It is offered full-time or part-time, and entirely online. It can also be taken as a specialization, major, concentration, or minor.
The Gerontology program is complementary to a variety of programs offered at Laurentian including kinesiology, nursing, and social work.
What is gerontology?
Gerontology is the study of older people and the physical, psychological, and social issues associated with aging. It helps us understand the challenges people face as they age and how we can best support them.
What you’ll learn
In class, you’ll examine aging from multiple different perspectives, including physiology, psychology, biology, religious studies, and sociology. You’ll learn about elder care and end-of-life care, nutrition, sexuality, and counselling. You’ll also examine the ethical and public policy issues that affect the aging population.
Internships
Gain practical work experience through a 40-hour volunteer internship course in your community. You can work in various settings such as long-term care facilities, older adult care facilities, home service providers and retirement homes.
When you graduate
At the end of the program, you can graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology. You’ll have an in-depth understanding of what is needed to care for older adults and be prepared to take on various careers in health, ethics, public policy, and more.
Key Features
Career Opportunities
The aging of baby boomers has created new opportunities for careers in Gerontology. Many of our graduates have successful careers as:
- Home health aide
- Human service professional
- Program director
- Recreation aide
- Researcher
- Retirement home or long-term care administrator
- Small business owner
- Social worker
You can also work in healthcare, health promotion and education, retirement home administration, long-term care, occupational therapy, human kinetics, and in private businesses assisting with daily living.
Katharine Champaigne
As a first year Gerontology student coming to Laurentian, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I soon fell in love with the program and everything it has to offer. I especially love the amazing faculty and professors of this department who strive for you to excel and love the program as much as they do. I would recommend this program to anyone who is interested in pursuing a career within the study of the aging population as well as issues associated with aging as the baby boomers age and the demand for gerontologists continue to grow.
Does this program interest you?
Take an in-depth look at program details, courses, and degree options!
Program Details