The increasing number of older persons and the fact that we are generally living longer point to a need for more people to pursue careers in this area. The College of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of Southern Indiana has several academic programs to prepare students to meet the unique needs of an aging population.
Two options that prepare students to work in the field of Gerontology or Long-term Care Administration are:
Click here for a list of all Gerontology Courses at USI
Core Curriculum: Global Aging and Health Care
Everyone is aging. Consider learning more about age-friendly environments and global aging issues by taking GERO 215 – Introduction to Global Aging and Health Care!
An age-friendly gerontology course has been integrated into the University’s core curriculum (CORE 39) – Ways of Knowing: World Languages and Culture (Outcome 1) and CORE 39 Global Embedded Experience.
The course will have a broad appeal to students of all disciplines. Explore this class if you are undecided in a career choice or if you want to learn more about how aging affects all of us, including those in the health professions.
For more information, visit the Global Aging and Health Care page.
Interdisciplinary Gerontology Minor
Students from virtually every major at USI may find that having a minor in gerontology could set them apart from other job applicants. It is common for students in Nursing, Social Work, Dietetics, Exercise Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant and more to combine their area of study with gerontology with USI’s Interdisciplinary Gerontology Minor.
In addition to Gerontology courses, this minor includes classes from Nursing, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Exercise Science, Kinesiology and Biology, plus a variety of experiential courses offering engaged learning opportunities specific to geriatrics outside of the traditional classroom.
Learn more in USI Academic Bulletin
Administrator-in-Training (AIT) Residency
An Administrator in Training (AIT) residency is offered for undergraduate students interested in applying for a nursing home administrator license. Students who successfully complete the AIT residency are eligible to sit for the national Nursing Home Administrator board exam and the State of Indiana Health Facility Administrator licensure exam. Learn more
Activity Professionals Certificate Program
The Activity Professionals Certificate Program aligns with the University of Southern Indiana (USI) mission/strategic plan and USI’s federally funded Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) initiative by increasing the educational programs to prepare students for a career working with older adults.
This program enables USI students to acquire a certification by successfully completing four classes. The certification increases their knowledge and marketability while supporting the workforce needs in the state of Indiana.
As per the ISDH regulations, 90 hours of instruction are required for the Activity Professionals certification, and this is accomplished through the four courses. Learn more
Senior Fitness Specialization in Kinesiology
Students majoring in Kinesiology can declare a “Senior Fitness Concentration” that covers content in:
Learn more about the Senior Fitness Specialization in Kinesiology
