Advance Your Career
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See Courses & Program Info
View a complete list of program courses, requirements, and more.
This program requires a total of 120 credits.
- 33 Required Major Credits: Review the required major courses outlined below or view the recommended course sequence to progress through this program.
- 41 General Education Credits: Review the options available to fulfill the 41 credits of general education coursework requirements for bachelor's degrees.
- 46 Minor & Elective Credits: Review a list of available academic minors or see the course catalog or Schedule of Classes to help you select elective courses.
Required Major Courses
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In the process of completing your Workplace Learning course at UMGC (GERO 486A), you will need to complete 135 hours of a supervised working/learning experience.
Your Workplace Learning experience should take place at an organization that can provide the types of activities and supervision needed to meet program requirements and your own career goals. Make sure to plan at least a semester in advance before participating in a Workplace Learning experience.
Please contact UMGC if you have additional questions:
- Contact Workplace Learning at workplacelearning@umgc.edu for questions about the program.
- Contact Career Services at careerservices@umgc.edu for placement support.
- Consult with your advisor or success coach for additional information or support.
Not ready to get started on a bachelor’s degree in gerontology and aging services? You can pair a minor in the same subject with another major at UMGC.
Develop Specialized Knowledge in Gerontology & Aging Services Management
Understanding the nuances of aging, the services that support aging populations, and the forces that shape our approach to elder care is fundamental for fostering positive change in our society. This online program is designed to provide you with the comprehensive knowledge and practical skills you need to effectively support and advocate for the elderly. The program aims to build core competencies in areas such as care management, ethics in aging services, policy and program development, communication with older adults, and leadership in aging services settings. Program directors consistently evaluate and refine the curriculum with a focus on achieving the following:
21%
Job Growth
Employment of home health and personal care aides is projected to grow 21 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | “Occupational Outlook Handbook” | Last Reviewed: September 9, 2024
29%
Population Increase
The number of people in the United States aged 65 and older increased almost 30 percent, from 44 million in 2000 to 57 million in 2021, highlighting the need for healthcare services and management.
Source: Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) | 2023–2024 Enviromental Scan and Trends Report | 2024
2.5M
Additional Caregivers
The United States will require 2.5 million more caregivers by 2030 in the long-term services and supports (LTSS) sector, another indicator of the growing need for skilled healthcare managers and case management services.
Source: Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) | 2023–2024 Enviromental Scan and Trends Report | 2024
Apply What You Learn in Your Courses
Throughout the curriculum, your instructors will assign coursework that may help you prioritize real-world skills and hands-on experiences. In past courses, students have been able to complete the following projects:
- Conduct policy analysis on an issue related to aging.
- Perform a cultural competence assessment on a community agency that serves older adults and their families.
- Develop a health promotion campaign to address health issues that impact older adults.
- Participate in an internship to gain hands-on experience in the field.
FAQs
Get answers to questions that current and prospective students are asking about program admission, credibility, certifications, student organizations, and more.
An online bachelor's degree in gerontology and aging services is a college degree that can help students prepare for a career in the gerontology field. This online gerontology program covers multidisciplinary topics like the physiological, social, psychological, health aspects of aging and more. This online program can help prepare students to work in a wide variety of sectors, including the nonprofit sector.
UMGC's online bachelor's degree in gerontology and aging services is a 120-credit program with courses offered year-round. The time it will take you to complete your degree will depend on several factors, including your goals, how many transfer credits you have, your course load each semester, and whether you are able to benefit from one or more of our fast paths to credit, including credit for prior learning and credit for military education and training.
Tuition rates for the online bachelor’s degree in gerontology and aging services from UMGC are very competitive and appear at the top of this page. We offer a low in-state rate for Maryland residents and a reduced tuition rate for military service members and their spouses and dependent children. We also offer scholarships for those who qualify, an interest-free monthly payment plan, and no-cost digital materials in place of most textbooks to help make online bachelor's degrees even more affordable.
You do not need any background or experience in gerontology and aging services to enroll in our online bachelor’s degree in gerontology and aging services. As long as you meet our undergraduate admission requirements, you can enroll in this program. However, this program is ideal for students who have some healthcare experience or have experience with the aging population.
You do not need any prior health care- or health-related certifications or credentials to enroll in or complete this gerontology degree program.
Pi Gamma Mu (Social Science Disciplines)
Pi Gamma Mu recognizes outstanding scholarship in the social sciences. UMGC's Maryland Theta chapter was recently added to the society’s Roll of Distinction and was also the winner of the 2020 UMGC Student Organization Awards Best in Show Activities and Events Award. It is available to undergraduate students. Membership is by invitation only. You must have completed at least 45 credits toward your degree to be eligible. If you have earned at least 20 credits in social science coursework (including at least 9 credits at UMGC) and have a GPA in the top 35 percent, you may be invited to join. For more information, please email marylandtheta@umgc.edu.
Sigma Phi Omega (Gerontology & Aging Services)
Sigma Phi Omega recognizes excellence among students studying gerontology and aging, and acknowledges the outstanding service of professionals who work with or on behalf of older persons. The society provides a link between educators, practitioners, and administrators in various settings. It is available to undergraduate students. To be eligible, you must be in at least your second term of enrollment at UMGC, have completed a minimum of 12 credits, and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3. Membership is open to undergraduate students majoring or minoring in gerontology and aging services, social science majors focusing on gerontology, and students in related fields with an interest in aging. For more information, please email spo@umgc.edu.