Human Services - Gerontology Concentration

About this Composite Major

The Human Services major prepares students to meet the growing demand for human service workers, whose occupations encompass a broad range of helping professions. The program combines courses from the disciplines of communications, sociology, and psychology to provide an overall understanding of the field. The curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and to develop the skills necessary to function as a human services professional.

As more people are living longer and having diverse life experiences, there is an increasing demand for professionals with expertise in Gerontology, the study of aging and the life course.

Meet a Student

VCSU student Marilyn Quintero poses on the historic Footbridge with her graduation cap and gown.

“I have been able to learn more about communicating with people of different backgrounds, and what we can do to better understand human behavior. I have gained skills that involve understanding people who have different ethnicities, disabilities, and other forms of diversity…The human services program is a great program with professors who understand and care about your education.” - Marilyn Quintero, class of 2020

"My internship was one of the best experiences I have ever had. My supervisor allowed me to lead some of the activities with the residents and I found myself really enjoying the job. This internship confirmed to me again that I was headed in the right direction." - Elizabeth Boettger, class of 2018

Career Opportunities

-	Two individuals comfort each other by holding hands in a medica facility.

The Gerontology concentration in the Human Services major prepares graduates to work in a variety of settings, including:

  • Social service agencies
  • Government agencies
  • Health care institutions
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Retirement communities.

The multidisciplinary curriculum, which includes courses in communication, gerontology, psychology, sociology, and recreation and leisure studies, is designed to enhance critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills relevant to professions addressing aging-related issues and topics.

Recent graduates have found employment as:

  • Case managers
  • Directors of residential facilities
  • Personnel specialists
  • Probation officers
  • Parole officers at local agencies.

Other career possibilities include:

  • Social services liaison
  • Group activities coordinator
  • Home health aide
  • Intake interviewer
  • Client advocate
  • Family support worker
  • Residential counselor
  • Life skills instructor
  • Community organizer
  • Youth worker
  • Social work assistant
  • Social work (with completion of a master’s degree in social work)

Explore Human Services

Practical Experience

Completion of an internship is required. Majors who have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 are eligible to apply for semester-long internships, for which students earn 3-12 credit hours. The internship provides supervised training in various regional agencies and service organizations. Students have completed their internships in various places, including: the Sheyenne Care Center and other long-term care facilities, Open Door Center, Barnes County Social Services, and Abused Persons Outreach Center.

Contact Information

Department Chair & Faculty Contact

Dr. Emily Fenster, emily.fenster@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7313

Department Location

McFarland Hall 315, (701) 845-7301

Schedule your visit today!

http://visit.vcsu.edu/

(701) 845-7101 or (800) 532-8641, ext. 7101

General Education Requirements

English Composition
Select one of the following:6
College Composition I
College Composition II
Introduction to Professional Writing
or
College Composition II
Introduction to Professional Writing
College Composition III: Persuasive Writing
Speech Communication
Select one of the following:3
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Interpersonal Communication
Intercultural Communication
Mathematics
Select one of the following:3
College Algebra
Finite Mathematics
Precalculus
Mathematics in Society
Calculus I
Elementary Statistics
Lab Science
Select two of the following:8
Concepts of Biology
General Biology I
General Biology II
General Zoology
Introductory Chemistry
Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
General Chemistry I
General Chemistry II
Introduction to Earth Science
The Earth Through Time
Concepts of Physics
Introductory Astronomy
College Physics I
College Physics II
University Physics I
University Physics II
Cognition and Brain Science
Technology, Engineering, and Design
Wellness
Select one of the following:2
Concepts of Fitness and Wellness
Introduction to Stress Management
Computer Science and Literacy
Select one of the following:3
Introduction to Computer Information Systems
Introduction to Programming
Introduction to Programming in Java
Introduction to Structured Programming I
Discovering Computing
Humanities
Literacies
Select one of the following:3
Oral Interpretation
Introduction to Literature
Introduction to Film
Mythology
World Literature I
World Literature II
American Literature I
American Literature II
Civilization, Thought, and Literary Heritage
Ethics and Philosophy of Science
1st Year Spanish I
1st Year Spanish II
2nd Year Spanish I
2nd Year Spanish II
Introduction to Theatre Arts
Art and Music
Select one of the following:3
Introduction to the Visual Arts
Introduction to Digital Media
Art History I
Art History II
History of Craft
Fine Arts and Aesthetics
Music Appreciation
Music Fundamentals
World Music
History of Rock and Roll
Social Science
Select 6 credits from the following:6
Understanding Media and Social Change
Human Communication
Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Macroeconomics
Human Geography
United States to 1877
United States to Present
World Civilizations to 1500
World Civilizations since 1500
Environmental History
Native American Studies
American National Government
State and Local Government
Introduction to Psychology 1
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Anthropology
Additional Humanities or Social Science
Select one additional course from Humanities or Social Science or select from the following:2
Two-Dimensional Design
Drawing I
Ceramics I
Photography I
Survey of Geography
Group Piano for Non-Majors
Group Piano for Non-Majors
Valkyries
Concert Choir
Athletic Band
Concert Band
Planetarium Science
Theatre Practicum
Total Credits39
1

Required

Major Requirements

Required Courses
COMM 311Communication and Interviewing3
COMM 483Organizational Communication3
or MGMT 372 Foundations of Leadership
or MGMT 430 Organizational Behavior
MGMT 330Principles of Management3
PSYC 250Developmental Psychology3
PSYC 310Behavior Modification3
PSYC 360Group Dynamics3
PSYC 470Counseling Theory and Practice3
SOC 110Introduction to Sociology 13
SOC 130Introduction to Human Services3
SOC 220The Family3
or SOC 270 Native American Studies
or SOC 300 Race, Ethnic, and Gender Relations
SOC 320Case Management3
SOC 330Understanding Statistics3
SOC 340Research Methods3
SOC 422Social Science Theory3
SOC 491Capstone1
SOC 497Internship3-12
Total Credits46-55
 

Gerontology Concentration

COMM 212Interpersonal Communication3
or COMM 216 Intercultural Communication
GERO 256Development of Social Welfare (offered through DCB)3
PSYC 370Abnormal Psychology3
RLS 290Introduction to Inclusive Recreation (offered through DCB)3
SOC 251Introduction to Gerontology3
SOC 354Health, Illness, and Disability3
SOC 441Death and Dying3
Total Credits21

Total General Education 39 Hrs
Total Major Requirements 43-52 Hrs
Total Concentration Requirements 21 Hrs
Total Credits Needed to Graduate 120 Hrs

For degree and graduation requirements, visit degree requirements and graduation requirements.

Plan of Study

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
English Composition (Gen Ed)3Art and Music (Gen Ed)3
MATH 210 (Gen Ed)3English Composition (Gen Ed)3
SOC 1103Lab Science (Gen Ed)4
Speech Communication (Gen Ed)3PSYC 111 (Gen Ed)3
Computer Science and Literacy (Gen Ed)3Wellness (Gen Ed )2
UNIV 1501 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Additional Humanities or social Science (Gen Ed)2Additional Electives3
COMM 2163GERO 256 (offered through DCB)3
Lab Science (Gen Ed)4SOC 1303
Literacies (Gen Ed)3SOC 2203
Social Science (Gen Ed)3PSYC 2503
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Additional Electives3Additional course (if only taking 3 credit internship)3
MGMT 3303COMM 4833
PSYC 3703SOC 3403
SOC 2513SOC 4413
SOC 3303SOC 4973
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Additional Electives3Additional Electives3
COMM 3113Additional Electives3
PSYC 3603PSYC 3103
RLS 290 (offered through DCB)3PSYC 4703
SOC 4223SOC 3543
SOC 4911 
 16 15
Total Credits 122

Please note:  This plan is intended for general information only.  Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor each semester before registration.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Knowledge of Society & the Field: Students will develop an understanding of the interaction between individual and societal forces; why knowledge of social and historical context, norms, institutions, and inequalities are important to the field of human services; and their role as emerging professionals in the evolving human services field.

  2. Confidence in Assessment, Critical Evaluation, & Theory: Human services students will apply theories, evaluate studies, and conduct research in course projects tailored to give practical experience that connects to a broad range of professional opportunities.

  3. Application of Knowledge, Skills, & Values in Applied Settings: Students will complete internships and coursework that integrate their academic knowledge, skills and values as emerging professionals within real world, applied settings.