Career options for gerontology students are expanding rapidly and include administrative work in government agencies on aging, in hospitals and nursing homes, and in recreational programs for older people. Direct service provision may include home health care workers, social workers, and hospital workers. In addition, there are burgeoning business opportunities geared toward the older segment of the population.

Sample Job Titles and National Salary Ranges

* Sources of Information: United States Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020). For more information about careers and assistance in making your career plans, please contact Career Services (cahill@ramapo.edu) or visit www.ramapo.edu/careercenter/.

The gerontology program at Ramapo College is designed to introduce students to the various aspects of aging: the biology of aging, the psychology of aging, the sociology of the aging population, and issues of death and dying. In addition, we require gerontology students to do fieldwork with the aged or in an agency devoted to issues of aging to enable the students to get hands-on experience. The study of gerontology is highly recommended for students majoring in social work, psychology, sociology, nursing, or business administration.

The faculty who teach in the gerontology program come from a variety of disciplines within the college, and collectively have tremendous experience in the field. Some of their areas of expertise include:

• The development of programs for caregivers
• Direct service provision for older adults
• Art therapy
• Issues of death and dying
• Human development over the life cycle
• Community programs for older adults