Program prepares students to work with older population

 by Christina Boccio
 published on Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Photo Courtesy of ASU

GERONTOLOGY SPECIALIST: Kathleen Waldron, interim director of ASU West’s School of Aging and Lifespan Development, helps students respond to the needs of an aging population.

With the population of adults between the ages of 50 to 80 growing, ASU's College of Human Services has created a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree program in aging and lifespan development.

The program is designed to prepare professionals to respond to the needs of an aging population, and to work directly with the patients in any career field, said Kathleen Waldron, interim director of the School of Aging and Lifespan Development.

"The School of Aging and Lifespan Development is geared toward research and education about aging-related issues," Waldron said.

These issues include recreation and tourism, care giving, community resource management, government programs, facility management, political lobbyist and social work, Waldron said.

The bachelor's degree includes three field placements within the community.
Students will also have to be involved in a project that includes an internship or research project.

Some of the course titles within the degree include Communication and Aging, Social Policy Issues in Midlife and Beyond, and Health Issues and Older Adults.

Most of the graduate and undergraduate courses are online, Waldron said.

She added that in addition to the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science, the program also offers an undergraduate minor in aging and lifespan development ,and a graduate certificate in gerontology, the study of aspects of aging.

Barbara Bagan, a recent gerontology graduate, said the program at ASU West offers a wide selection of foundation classes and excellent electives, and provides opportunities to work hands on in the field.

"Students can express a lot of freedom and creativity in the internship component," Bagan said. "My internship allowed me the opportunity to conceptualize, create and implement an entire 10-week program for the Mohammed Ali Parkinson Center."

Waldron said she believes the gerontology program will "help ASU position itself as a leader in aging research and aging education."

Professionals from a variety of fields have shown interest in the master's program, and non-aging students would benefit from having a background in aging studies, Waldron added.

"For instance, engineers engaged in universal design principles need to know how older adults use common objects such as computers [and] cell phones," Waldron said.

The gerontology program is headquartered at the West campus but is open to all ASU students.

Reach the reporter at: cristina.boccio@asu.edu.