COURSE CURRICULUM

The Gerontology major at St. Thomas University offers students a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of the aging process, combining theoretical study with practical applications. To complete the major, students must successfully complete a minimum of 36 credit hours in gerontology-related courses. The program begins with two foundational courses—GERO 1013, Introduction to Gerontology, and GERO 1023, Aging in Canada—providing an overview of aging as both a biological and social phenomenon and examining how aging is experienced and understood in Canadian society. Students then progress to six core courses totaling 18 credit hours. These include topics such as adult development, the sociology of aging, health and aging, and two advanced seminars that focus on integrating and applying knowledge from across the program. One of the core courses, GERO 3053, offers students hands-on training in qualitative research methods specific to gerontological studies.In addition to these required courses, students choose 12 credit hours of electives from a diverse and engaging list. These electives allow students to tailor their studies to specific interests, such as spirituality, leisure, dementia, mental health, gender and sexuality, narrative approaches, or counseling older adults. Many electives offer opportunities to study aging through creative and critical lenses, such as the portrayal of aging in film, mindfulness and contemplative aging, or health promotion for seniors. Some courses also emphasize social policy, family dynamics, and institutional care, offering insights into the systems that affect older adults’ lives. Through this flexible and multidisciplinary structure, the program prepares students for careers in social services, healthcare, policy development, counseling, or education, as well as for graduate study in related fields. The Gerontology major equips students not only with academic knowledge but also with the empathy and critical awareness necessary to support aging populations in diverse and meaningful ways.