10 Best Bachelors Degrees in Gerontology 2020

The best bachelor’s degrees in gerontology equip you with the skills needed to help those transitioning into old age. Ask most people what gerontology is and youll likely be met with a number of blank expressions. But this field of study is critical not only for our country, but for everyone including you at some stage in life. Often called aging studies, gerontology examines all aspects of aging, from sociological to psychological phenomenon. A recent U.S. census showed that 15% of our population is aged 65 or older, just shy of 50 million people. As the baby boomer generation ages, this number will grow higher still in the next half-decade. We need people who are there to care for them and provide support for an aging population thats you. What is a gerontology degree? Gerontology is often misconstrued as a field of study that leads into nursing, but the opportunities are broader than that. As a gerontology student, youll learn about the impact of aging not only on the individual, but on society as a whole. Youll study how society must adapt to cater for the needs of a population thats getting older. As a prospective student, you have the option of a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), or Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies (BMS). The course chosen will dictate not only the topics studied, but also the course entry requirements. Regardless of your choice, youll study services for the elderly, public policies, adult development, and the principles of gerontology. Various programs require specific, specialized test scores for the GRE/GMAT, as well as a minimum GPA requirement. Typically, for gerontology youll need a GPA of 3.0 or higher to apply. Whats more, many colleges and universities ask for letters of recommendation, with some asking that prerequisite courses be completed. Careers for gerontology majors Typically, a career in gerontology will fall under a very wide umbrella that encompasses numerous social work-related professions. The most common entry-level positions in gerontology include health educators, social services assistants, and adult enrichment coaches. And while the role will largely determine the salary available, the highest level of education attained will also factor in. More specialized careers include occupational therapists, mental health therapists, and grief care, all of which can be targeted through specialized study. Most supervisory and management positions will require a bachelor’s degree as a minimum, with masters and doctorates available. Beyond a bachelor’s degree, there are options for further study in the field of gerontology. Graduates can undertake these masters or doctorates to gain deeper subject knowledge and move into higher, more authoritative public health roles. Gaining a masters also puts students or professionals in a better position to move up the salary ladder in their career. Gerontology salary potential The average Gerontologist salary in the USA stands at approximately $55,000, though this is for experienced professionals. Entry-level roles, particularly those within social care sectors, start at around $30,000, with scope for progression. While caregivers typically earn fairly low salaries, occupational therapists, for example, earn significantly more than the US national average. Your chosen field can largely affect the earnings growth potential throughout your career, so you should choose specialisms wisely. Entry-level salaries for a social worker are around $40,000 and only rise to around $45,000 after 20 years’ practice. However, an occupational therapist may start at $66,000 and rise to around $82,000 after a similar period of experience. With significant experience or a doctorate, the salaries available can breach $100,000 in the field of gerontology. Registered nurses and nurse case managers might earn up to $90,000, for example. The most significant salaries are available for those in senior public health management and directorship roles. What are the best gerontology degrees? We know that you have educational goals that you’re itching to pursue, but you may not know where to start. The editors of CollegeRank utilize a unique ranking methodology based on the following three aspects: 40% Potential Salary After Graduation: Average mid-career salary of school alumni 30% Institutional Accreditation: Regional and National Accreditation for the 2019-2020 school year 30% Overall Degree Affordability: Average cost of undergraduate and graduate tuition per school At CollegeRank, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at editor@collegerank.net. 1San Diego State UniversityLocationSan Diego, CaliforniaAverage Net Price$14,568More information San Diego State University is the third-oldest university in the California State University system. The Carnegie Foundation categorizes the school as a â€Å"Doctoral University: Highest Research Activity.† It has produced the second-greatest number of Fullbright Scholars in California and generates nearly $2.5 billion annually for the local economy. San Diego State offers a Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology. The major requires students to complete 36 credit hours of coursework, which includes Biology of Aging, Aging Network, and Images of Aging in Contemporary Science. Eight of the courses in the major are required and comprise the program’s first 24 hours. The remaining eight hours are devoted to electives. The core curriculum includes a required field education practicum, which takes place at the School of Social Work field site. Students in the practicum learn how to integrate classroom theory with practical skills in professional competence and identity. Students practice real-life practice situations and skills-building while being supervised by qualified social workers. The field practicum has helped the program to build community partnerships that facilitate a diverse series of field placements. Students may be placed in settings such as psychiatric practices, child welfare agencies, hospitals, family service agencies, hospices, senior care settings, and schools. Students apply to the major after they complete 60 transferable semester units with a minimum GPA of 2.0.