Applied Gerontology
Bachelor of Science Degree
The Bachelor of Science in Applied Gerontology is offered in the Theresa Santmann School of Health Sciences at Farmingdale State College.
The field of gerontology is expanding as the number of elders in America continues to increase, quickly outpacing other segments of the population. By 2030 the older population will be more than twice their number from 2000. With over 13% of Americans currently over the age of 65 and projected to be 19% in 2030, our society will be facing crucial issues about aging which will impact the lives of most Americans.
The Applied Gerontology program aims to improve the quality of life of the aged. Central issues to the study of aging are individual, social, and institutional-based. The multidisciplinary course work follows these issues and provides proficiency in all aspects of working with, and administering to, an aging population.
This bachelor’s program is designed to prepare students for entry-level occupational positions in the growing field of aging as well as providing skills and knowledge necessary for graduate and professional school entrance.
All Applied Gerontology students will complete a 4-credit hour internship during their academic work. Students have the opportunity to work in area agencies on aging, private, state, and federal aging, care management organizations, advocacy organizations and non-profits serving older adults and their families.
The structure of the program centers on the traditional 8-semester format with additional options to incorporate approved transfer courses, and full and part-time options. Adult learners and change of career applicants are encouraged to apply and accommodated multiple online/hybrid class opportunities.
- Assisted Living Administrations
- Consultant/Advocate
- Estate Preservation
- Federal/State/Local Gov. Agencies
- Geriatric Care Managers
- Health Educators
- Health Insurance Companies
- Home Health Care Administration
- Hospice Facility Administration
- Hotel Facilities Administration
- Long-term Care Administrator
- Rehabilitation Facilities
- Research settings
- Residential Care Centers
- Skilled Nursing Administration
Applied Gerontology (BS) Program Objectives:
- Graduates will demonstrate an appreciation of fundamental interdisciplinary evidence-based awareness of geriatric care. They will apply personal and social responsibility to ethical behavior in all settings dealing with the elderly and the aging process.
- Graduates will employ effective oral and written communication skills needed in a global information society.
- Graduates will evaluate, interpret, and analyze current issues in geriatric science/ administration. They will extrapolate theoretically effective answers to solve problems involving the elderly.
- Graduates will demonstrate the knowledge base skills needed to interpret analyze and evaluate the gerontology field and to prepare for further professional and graduate education.
Admission to Farmingdale State College - State University of New York is based on the qualifications of the applicant without regard to age, sex, marital or military status, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.
Contact Information
Nutrition Science and Wellness
Dr. Jack Thomas
Lupton Hall, Room 144
934-420-5651
humanecology@farmingdale.edu
Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
Fall 2026
Subject to revision
| College Requirement | (1 credit) |
|---|---|
| FYE 101 First Year Experience* | 1 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | (64 credits) |
|---|---|
| EGL 101 Composition I: College Writing (GE) | 3 |
| EGL 102 Composition II: Writing About Literature | 3 |
| The Arts (GE) | 3 |
| US History and Civic Engagement/World History and Global Awareness(GE) | 3 |
| World Languages I (GE) | 3 |
| World Languages II (GE) | 3 |
| Oral Communication (GE) | 3 |
| BIO 123 Human Body in Health and Disease (GE) | 4 |
| HPW 245 Ethics in Health Professions (GE) OR PHI 205 Ethics (GE) | 3 |
| HUM 332 Intercultural Communications (*D) | 3 |
| MLG 304 French Culture and Civilization OR MLG 305 Hispanic and Latin American Culture and Civilization OR MLG 306 Italian Culture and Civilization | 3 |
| MTH 110 Statistics (GE) | 3 |
| NTR 110 Introduction to Nutrition Science | 3 |
| PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (GE) | 3 |
| PSY 315 Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 122 Introduction to Sociology (GE) | 3 |
| SOC 225 Sociology of the Family | 3 |
| SOC 228 Society and Health | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Electives | 9 |
| Required: Lower Division | (6 credits) |
|---|---|
| BUS 109 Management Theory and Practice | 3 |
| GRO 100 Introduction to Gerontology | 3 |
| Required: Upper Division | (51-52 credits) |
|---|---|
| GRO 300 Biology of Aging OR NTR 325 Nutrition Through Lifecycle | 3 |
| GRO 310 Nutrition and Aging | 3 |
| GRO 320 Caregiving | 3 |
| GRO 330 Public Policy and Aging OR HPW 330 Concepts in Public Health | 3 |
| GRO 340 Gender and Aging | 3 |
| GRO 350 Healthcare Financial Management | 3 |
| GRO 410 Health Care Insurance | 3 |
| GRO 420 Long-Term Care Administration | 3 |
| GRO 430 Communication and Aging OR SPE 330 Professional and Technical Speech OR PCM 320 Communication in Business OR PCM 333 Organizational Communication | 3 |
| GRO 440 Cultural Diversity and Aging OR HPW 470 Healthy America | 3 |
| GRO 450 Healthcare Law | 3 |
| GRO 460 Internship in Gerontology OR HPW 450 Health Wellness Internship | 3-4 |
| Technical Electives | 9 |
| Upper Division Electives (300/400 level) | 6 |
Curriculum Summary
*FYE 101 First Year Experience is required by all first time full time students
Degree Type: BS
Total Required Credits: 121-123
Please refer to the General Education, Applied Learning, and Writing Intensive requirement sections of the College Catalog and consult with your advisor to ensure that graduation requirements are satisfied.
As a part of the SUNY General Education Framework, all first-time full time Freshman at Farmingdale State College (FSC) beginning Fall 2023, are required to develop knowledge and skills in Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (DEISJ). Students will be able to fulfill this requirement at FSC by taking a specially designated DEISJ course that has been developed by faculty and approved by the DEISJ Review Board. DEISJ-approved courses may meet other General Education Knowledge and Skills areas and/or core competencies and thus be dually designated. DEISJ-approved courses may also earn other special designations such as those for Applied Learning or Writing Intensive.