Gerontology

Overview

Through coursework (completely or mostly online) and an 80-hour internship, students will learn how and why we age and the implications of the “demographic transition.” Our talented faculty helps students find ways to optimize the aging process, plan for one’s own aging, create age-friendly communities, and recognize and reduce ageism, stigma, and negative stereotypes. 

You will emerge from this  Gerontology program from Portland State University understanding the purpose, strengths, and challenges of programs and services for improving the quality of life for older people and their families, and also know ways to recognize, value, and utilize the resources older adults represent. Our alumni go on to work with and on behalf of older adults in a wide range of private, government, and non-profit sectors.

Career

Employment possibilities in the field of aging services are vast, and there are myriad opportunities for entrepreneurship in this field that are yet to be discovered. They include positions at international, federal, state, and local levels of governments, as well as positions in non-profit and for-profit organizations. Our faculty are global leaders on the cutting edge of social science research on aging, including best practices in housing and long-term care, planning for age-friendly communities, behavioral health, aging services, workforce development, work-life issues, and family caregiving. For more information about careers in aging, contact the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE).