Gerontology (A/NB/eH)*
Degree offered
Certificate of Achievement in Gerontology
Credits required 24
Dean
Calvin McFadden
Program contact
John Tormey, Coordinator of Thanatology and Professor of Psychology/Thanatology
Program Goals Statement
The Gerontology certificate program prepares students to understand and effectively respond to myriad issues, challenges, choices, and problems encountered in the aging process.
Program Information
Students, especially those pursuing a degree in General Studies, are invited to consider a two-for-one program, using their electives wisely to include Gerontology as a special expertise in the degree program. Students are invited, but are not required, to take PSY 267 as a foundation for other Gerontology courses. In the event that core courses fit better with a student’s schedule, they have permission to register for those courses.
After BCC
Students are prepared to seek employment in various senior agencies, retirement communities, health care facilities, home- and adult-care programs, hospice organizations, and the myriad entrepreneur possibilities that respond to senior needs and interests.
Degree Requirements
Program Courses
| ENG 101 | Composition I: College Writing | 3 credits |
| PSY 267 | Introduction to Gerontology: The Study of Aging | 3 credits |
| PSY 269 | Geropsychology | 3 credits |
| SOC 262 | Social Issues in Aging | 3 credits |
| SOC 263 | Senior Life - Choices and Challenges | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Program Elective - Choose one from the following
| BIO 111 | General Biology I | 4 credits |
| BIO 117 | Physiology of Wellness | 3 credits |
| BIO 121 | Fundamentals of Biological Science I | 4 credits |
| BIO 220 | Introduction to Nutrition | 3 credits |
| BIO 233 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 credits |
| BIO 234 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 credits |
| FIR 170 | Emergency Care I | 4 credits |
| FIR 171 | Emergency Care II | 4 credits |
| HLT 115 | Personal and Community Health | 3 credits |
| SER 101 | Introduction to Social Welfare | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3-4 |
Program Elective - Choose one from the following
| PSY 262 | Introduction to Thanatology | 3 credits |
| PSY 264 | Psychology of Grief | 3 credits |
| PSY 266 | Introduction to Grief Counseling | 3 credits |
| SOC 257 | Social Issues in Loss | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Choose one of the following
| PSY 101 | General Psychology | 3 credits |
| SOC 101 | Principles of Sociology | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Recommended Course Sequence - Fall Semester 1
| ENG 101 | Composition I: College Writing | 3 credits |
| PSY 267 | Introduction to Gerontology: The Study of Aging | 3 credits |
Recommended Course Sequence - Spring Semester 2
| PSY 101 | General Psychology | 3 credits |
| PSY 267 | Introduction to Gerontology: The Study of Aging | 3 credits |
Recommended Course Sequence - Fall Semester 3
| | Health/Human Service Elective | 3 credits |
Recommended Course Sequence - Spring Semester 4
| | Thanatology Elective | 3 credits |
Gainful Employment Program Disclosure
In accordance with Federal regulations published in the Federal Register on October 29, 2010, Bristol Community College discloses information about student costs, tuitions, fees and employment statistics to various governing bodies to ensure certification and oversight.
See: Gainful Employment Information