B.S. in Gerontology
Pursue Health. Improve Lives.
You have a heart for seniors and a desire to serve them in your chosen career. Regent’s Bachelor of Science in Gerontology, offered exclusively online, blends the disciplines of biophysical sciences, healthcare management and psychology to prepare you to create and coordinate services that benefit seniors. Based on a strong Christian foundation, our gerontology degree will equip you to lead positive change in programs, organizations and agencies that support aging populations.
GAIN EXPERTISE
Analyze aging and human development issues in the light of God’s truth.
BUILD ON A STRONG FOUNDATION
Anchor your knowledge and skill on Christian principles and values.
LEARN FROM THE BEST
Be mentored by faculty in Virginia Beach who hold the highest degrees in their field.
On completing the B.S. in Gerontology you will be able to:
- Provide solutions to real-world gerontology problems based on strategic business and healthcare management applications.
- Engage with others to promote integrated approaches to serving the aging populations.
- Apply professional, ethical and responsible leadership behaviors to tangible geriatric situations.
Career Opportunities
- Administrative Gerontologist
- Social and Healthcare Assistant
- Social Worker
- Healthcare Professional
- Home Health Aides
- Health Services Facility Manager
- Entry-level Social Scientist
Life satisfaction; life review; age related physical and emotional changes; anxiety and acceptance of “growing old;” isolation and social construction of aging; theories and models of aging and retirement; implications for families and caregivers.
Issues in the field of aging; emphasis on the frontier of social concern and public debate: implications of an expanded life expectancy, ageism and poverty, victimization and abuse of the aged, institutions and centers for the aged, politics and conservatism, aging and sexuality, death and dying. Prerequisite: GERO 201.
Theological and spiritual foundation for working with and caring for the aged; biblical views of aging presented in the Old and New Testaments; views and theories of aging in a variety of cultures, ancient and modern; the role of faith and spiritual needs of those in later life. Prerequisite: GERO 201.
Anthropological perspectives on aging including racial differences in aging; gender differences in aging; the importance of cultural context in facilitating the aging experience; the impact of globalization and modernization on the aged; factors that influence how a person ages. Prerequisite: GERO 201.
Explores the specific age-stages of adult development and aging emphasizing psychosocial, psychopathological, biological, intellectual, and personality processes from a theoretical and research-oriented perspective. Prerequisite: GERO 201 (for Gerontology majors only). Cross-listed with PSYC 416.
Megatrends of modern culture; the rapid aging of society and relentless advances in technology to sustain individual autonomy to an advanced age; mobility and transportation; assistive devise; in-home technologies; smart homes for seniors. Prerequisite: GERO 201.
Current health policy issues for the aging; the process and politics of health policy development and implementation; health policy issues for seniors in regard to governmental regulations; health policy within historical, political, social and economic contexts; public and private sector initiatives for care for the aged.
Healthy aging in seniors; prevention and/or management of disease; health and wellness in the older adult population; risk factors for late life health problems and threats to independence; health behavior change and health education models; health status and health behaviors of older adults. Prerequisite: GERO 201.
The structure of the human response to death, dying, and bereavement in their socio-cultural, interpersonal, and person context; senior citizens perception of death; bereavement and grief over the life course; euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide and death-related ethical debates; Christian responses to death and dying. Prerequisite: GERO 201.
Full spectrum of long-term care settings: family and community based care, supportive housing options, and institutional long-term care alternatives; ethical considerations in long-term care; lived experience of long-term care among the aged; the future of long-term care. Prerequisite: GERO 201.
Biological basis of aging; variations in the patterns of aging; changes that occur in cells, molecules, metabolism, and structure during the aging process; the development and progression of several diseases associated with aging; manipulation of aging in the future. Prerequisite: GERO 201.
Supervised practicum experience in a community agency planning for and/or delivering professional services to older adults (or comprehensive research paper); culminates the coursework for the major and focuses on application of the interdisciplinary nature of the degree. Prerequisite: GERO 201. Must be taken as the final course in program.
Admission requirements vary based on the stage you’re at in life. Select a link below to learn how to apply.
2019-20 Tuition Rates
| Program Type | Tuition |
|---|---|
On-Campus Student
|
|
Online Student (enrolled in 8-week classes)
|
|
RN to B.S. in Nursing Tuition |
|
Student Fees
Fee | Amount | Description |
Application Fee (On-Campus & Evening/Online Students)
| $50 | One-time fee, nonrefundable |
Enrollment Deposit (On-Campus Students) Enrollment Deposit (Evening/Online Students) | $150
| Fee is deducted from tuition costs |
Graduation Fee(On-Campus & Evening/Online Students) | $60 | One-time fee upon submission of graduation application |
University Services Fee(On-Campus Students) | $700/semester | Contributes to university academic and administrative operations |
Optional Fees
Late Payment | $100/Session | Incurred per session in the event of late tuition payment |
Course Fees | Varies, | Some courses in theater, animation, cinema television or science labs carry an additional fee |
2020-21 Tuition Rates
| Program Type | Tuition |
|---|---|
On-Campus Student
|
|
Online Student (enrolled in 8-week classes)
|
|
RN to B.S. in Nursing Tuition |
|
Student Fees
Fee | Amount | Description |
Application Fee (On-Campus & Evening/Online Students)
| $50 | One-time fee, nonrefundable |
Enrollment Deposit (On-Campus Students) Enrollment Deposit (Evening/Online Students) | $150
| Fee is deducted from tuition costs |
Graduation Fee(On-Campus & Evening/Online Students) | $60 | One-time fee upon submission of graduation application |
University Services Fee(On-Campus Students) | $750/semester | Contributes to university academic and administrative operations |
Optional Fees
Late Payment | $100/Session | Incurred per session in the event of late tuition payment |
Course Fees | Varies, | Some courses in theater, animation, cinema television or science labs carry an additional fee |