Gerontology is the ‘study of ageing’ and teaches students about the processes and changes that happen as people grow older. It explores how our bodies and minds change over time, and how aging affects our society.
During a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Gerontology you can expect to study classes such as the biology of ageing, communication and counselling, psychology of death and dying, ethics related to ageing, and parent-child relations.
As a future gerontologist, you will have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives and in the future of human societies. As our life span increases, we face new challenges such as finding a place for old people in modern societies, using new technologies to make their lives easier, and managing intergenerational differences.
Successful gerontologists are compassionate persons, excellent researchers and communicators, owning strong public speaking and interpersonal skills.
Studying Gerontology will allow you to work in a wide range of areas, including public health and policies, social sciences, or psychology. Some of the most popular job titles are social worker, caregiver, occupational therapist, government advisor, sociologist, health educator, life planner, etc.
You should know that Gerontology isn’t the same thing as Geriatrics, which is a medical subdiscipline that teaches students how to take care of older people suffering from various physical or mental health illnesses.
Read moreView all PhDs in Gerontology. Keep in mind you can also study an online PhDs in Gerontology.