Gerontology - Minor

The Gerontology minor provides a comprehensive understanding of aging's impact on individuals and society. Through coursework and practical experiences, you'll learn about health, social policy and end-of-life issues.

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Program Information for Gerontology - Minor

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Gerontology minor provides students with knowledge of the aging process and prepares students for professional positions in the diverse field of aging. Current predictions indicate that a "baby boomer" will turn 60 every seven seconds for the next 18 years. By 2050, it is estimated that one in five people will be over the age of 65, leading to an increase in demand for individuals with an understanding of the aging process.

The minor benefits students with a major or an interest in psychology, sociology, business, English, nursing, education, interior design, political science, speech pathology, audiology and recreation, parks and tourism management.

Admissions for Gerontology - Minor

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

To declare this minor, students must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.000 overall Kent State GPA. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Describe age-related changes in biological systems, social relationships, social roles (e.g., retirement), cognitive abilities and health and well-being.
  2. Explain how gender identity, race, ethnicity, history, cohort, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status contribute to the experience of aging.
  3. Describe the implications of population aging for individuals, families and society.

Coursework

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Program Requirements
Minor Requirements
GERO 14029INTRODUCTION TO GERONTOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) 3
GERO 40656PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING 3
SOC 42879AGING IN SOCIETY (DIVD) 3
Minor Electives, choose from the following:12
ARCH 45640
DEVELOPING ENVIRONMENTS FOR OLDER ADULTS
BSCI 40020
BIOLOGY OF AGING
GERO 44031
SOCIAL POLICY AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR OLDER ADULTS
HDF 44035
TRAUMA-RESPONSIVE ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGIES
LTCA 44032
LONG-TERM CARE ADMINISTRATION I
NUTR 23511
SCIENCE OF HUMAN NUTRITION (KBS)
or NUTR 33512
 INTERMEDIATE NUTRITION SCIENCE
PHIL 40005
HEALTH CARE ETHICS
RPTM 36010
RECREATION, LEISURE AND AGING
SOC 42010
DEATH AND DYING
SOC 42563
SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE
SPA 44130
COMMUNICATION DISORDERS OF THE AGING
Minimum Total Credit Hours:21

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Minor GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.250 2.000
  • Students are required to meet with the human development and family science program coordinator to discuss course selection and procedures for completing the minor.
  • Some courses require prerequisites, please see course descriptions for details.
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
  • Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).
Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Human Development and Family Science - Minor

The Human Development and Family Science minor provides students with knowledge of biopsychosocial development, family relationships and processes across the lifespan. This minor is particularly suitable for students with a major or interest in education, nursing, psychology, sociology, public health, communications, community health education, recreation management and speech pathology and audiology.

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Program Information for Human Development and Family Science - Minor

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Identify physical, cognitive, emotional and social dimensions of human development and family relationships.
  2. Identify the reciprocal influences of family, school, work and community contexts on human development
  3. Recognize the unique strengths and needs of individuals and families.

Admissions for Human Development and Family Science - Minor

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

To declare this minor, students must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.000 overall Kent State GPA. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements
Minor Requirements
HDF 24011INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND FAMILIES (DIVD) 3
Development Electives, choose from the following:6
GERO 14029
INTRODUCTION TO GERONTOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS)
GERO 40656
PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING
HDF 24012
RELATIONSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS CHILDHOOD
HDF 24013
EARLY ADOLESCENCE
HDF 44020
RELATIONSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ADOLESCENCE AND EMERGING ADULTHOOD
Minor Electives, choose from the following:9
HDF 24014
BRIDGING CROSS-NATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
HDF 34031
CULTURAL DIVERSITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE HELPING PROFESSIONS
HDF 42089
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE (DIVG) (ELR)
HDF 44021
FAMILY INTERVENTION AND ADVOCACY
HDF 44022
FAMILIES, GENDER AND POWER
HDF 44023
BUILDING FAMILY STRENGTHS (WIC)
HDF 44028
PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS
HDF 44029
FAMILY POLICY
HDF 44032
NONPROFIT FUNDRAISING AND GRANTWRITING
HDF 44033
COMMUNITY OUTREACH IN NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT (ELR)
HDF 44034
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT
HDF 44039
BEREAVEMENT AND LOSS
Minimum Total Credit Hours:18

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Minor GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
  • Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).
Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • Fully online
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Geauga Campus
    • Kent Campus
    • Salem Campus
    • Stark Campus

Human Development and Family Science - B.S.

Earn your B.S. in Human Development and Family Science and make a difference in people's lives! This interdisciplinary program equips you with the skills to support individuals and families in social services, nonprofit work, community outreach and more. With a focus on lifespan development, relationships and diverse needs, you'll graduate ready for an impactful career.

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Program Information for Human Development and Family Science - B.S.

Program Description

Program Description

On This Page

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Science offers an interdisciplinary approach to individual and family development. Students receive the knowledge and skills needed to help individuals and families across the lifespan to flourish in a global society. The degree prepares students for a wide range of careers in diverse settings, including family and community-based social services, prevention, nonprofit administration and family and community intervention. Core coursework focuses on development across the lifespan and understanding family relationships, the environments in which individuals live and learn and the unique strengths and needs of diverse individuals and families.

The Human Development and Family Science major requires students to complete a minor or certificate related to their career interest.

Students may apply early to the M.A. degree in Human Development and Family Science and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degrees. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program Policy in the University Catalog for more information.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Admissions for Human Development and Family Science - B.S.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Current Kent State and Transfer Students: Active Kent State students who wish to change their major must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.000 overall Kent State GPA to be admitted. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Transfer students visit the admissions website for transfer students for more information.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Identify (a) physical, cognitive, emotional and social dimensions of human development and family relationships; and (b) reciprocal influences of family, school, work and community contexts on human development.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of program development, delivery and evaluation and identify practical implications of human development and family relationship concepts.
  3. Access scholarly sources and critically evaluate empirical research; demonstrate an understanding of theories, methods and principles of research; and effectively communicate ideas.
  4. Recognize the unique strengths and needs of individuals and families and apply knowledge through involvement with and study of diverse populations.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
GERO 44030RELATIONSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ADULTHOOD (WIC) 13
HDF 14027INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE 3
HDF 24011INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND FAMILIES (DIVD) 3
HDF 24012RELATIONSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS CHILDHOOD 3
or PSYC 20651 CHILD PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS)
HDF 25512MANAGEMENT OF FAMILY RESOURCES 3
HDF 34031CULTURAL DIVERSITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE HELPING PROFESSIONS 3
HDF 44018PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE 3
HDF 44020RELATIONSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ADOLESCENCE AND EMERGING ADULTHOOD 3
or PSYC 30651 ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY
HDF 44021FAMILY INTERVENTION AND ADVOCACY 3
HDF 44023BUILDING FAMILY STRENGTHS (WIC) 13
HDF 44028PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS 3
HDF 44029FAMILY POLICY 3
HDF 44030FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND PREVENTION 3
HDF 44035TRAUMA-RESPONSIVE ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGIES 3
HDF 44092PRACTICUM IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE (ELR) 23-6
Content Elective, choose from the following:3
HDF 42089
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE (DIVG) (ELR)
HDF 44022
FAMILIES, GENDER AND POWER
HDF 44039
BEREAVEMENT AND LOSS
HDF 44089
FAMILIES IN FLORENCE, ITALY: LOVE, PARENTING AND POLICY (DIVG) (ELR)
HDF 45089
LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES AND OUTCOMES: THE ITALIAN EXPERIENCE (DIVG) (ELR)
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
PSYC 11762GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) 3
PSYC 21621QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY I 3-4
or SOC 32220
& SOC 32221		 DATA ANALYSIS
and DATA ANALYSIS LABORATORY
PSYC 31574RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY (ELR) 3
or SOC 32210 RESEARCHING SOCIETY (ELR) (WIC)
SOC 12050INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) 3
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning3
Kent Core Humanities9
Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory)6-7
Kent Core Additional6
Minor or Undergraduate Certificate requirement and General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) 329
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

2

Students may complete 3-6 credit hours of HDF 44092. Credit hours taken beyond 3 will count towards general electives.

3

Students are required to declare and complete a minor or a certificate as part of the human development and family science program. Students may select any minor or certificate available at Kent State, but it should be aligned with the student's overall educational and career goals. Number of credit hours depends on the program selected. A minimum of 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.250 2.000
  • State/federal background checks may be required for some practicum/internship sites. Results indicating one of the disqualifying offenses, whether expunged or current, may result in the inability to be placed in select practicum/internship sites.
Roadmap

Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
HDF 24011 INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND FAMILIES (DIVD) 3
PSYC 11762 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Two
HDF 14027 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE 3
SOC 12050 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Three
HDF 24012
or PSYC 20651
 RELATIONSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS CHILDHOOD
or CHILD PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS)
3
HDF 25512 MANAGEMENT OF FAMILY RESOURCES 3
HDF 34031 CULTURAL DIVERSITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE HELPING PROFESSIONS 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Four
HDF 44020
or PSYC 30651
 RELATIONSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ADOLESCENCE AND EMERGING ADULTHOOD
or ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY
3
Content Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Minor/Certificate Course or General Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Five
HDF 44023 BUILDING FAMILY STRENGTHS (WIC) 3
HDF 44035 TRAUMA-RESPONSIVE ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGIES 3
PSYC 21621
or SOC 32220 and SOC 32221
 QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY I
or DATA ANALYSIS and DATA ANALYSIS LABORATORY
3-4
Minor/Certificate Course or General Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
HDF 44021 FAMILY INTERVENTION AND ADVOCACY 3
HDF 44028 PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS 3
PSYC 31574
or SOC 32210
 RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY (ELR)
or RESEARCHING SOCIETY (ELR) (WIC)
3
Minor/Certificate Course or General Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Semester Seven
GERO 44030 RELATIONSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ADULTHOOD (WIC) 3
!HDF 44018 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE 3
HDF 44030 FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND PREVENTION 3
Minor/Certificate Course or General Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Semester Eight
HDF 44029 FAMILY POLICY 3
!HDF 44092 PRACTICUM IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE (ELR) 3
Minor/Certificate Course or General Electives 8
 Credit Hours14
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
    • Salem Campus
    • Stark Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Human Development and Family Science - B.S.

Child, family, and school social workers

11.7%

much faster than the average

342,500

number of jobs

$48,430

potential earnings

Childcare workers

1.7%

slower than the average

1,146,400

number of jobs

$25,460

potential earnings

Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists

3.1%

about as fast as the average

171,500

number of jobs

$79,820

potential earnings

Community and social service specialists, all other

11.7%

much faster than the average

105,200

number of jobs

$46,770

potential earnings

Counselors, all other

13.0%

much faster than the average

29,100

number of jobs

$45,760

potential earnings

Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary

1.3%

slower than the average

2,500

number of jobs

$72,220

potential earnings

Marriage and family therapists

22.3%

much faster than the average

66,200

number of jobs

$51,340

potential earnings

Social and community service managers

17.0%

much faster than the average

175,500

number of jobs

$69,600

potential earnings

Social and human service assistants

16.8%

much faster than the average

425,600

number of jobs

$35,960

potential earnings

Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors

24.7%

much faster than the average

319,400

number of jobs

$47,660

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

Compliance Requirements for Sponsored Projects

The issue of compliance for sponsored projects encompasses several areas - financial requirements, regulations that govern the use of human or animal subjects, as well as requirements for hiring personnel. The Principal Investigator, with guidance by the Sponsored Programs office, is the primary individual in charge of overseeing execution of the project objectives. As such, the PI is responsible for the following:

 

Faculty Excellence

Our faculty are leaders in the field and have active research programs. Our faculty have published journals such as Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, Cognition, Cognitive Science, Psychological Science, Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, International Journal of Science Education, Frontiers in Psychology, and Child Development. In addition, our faculty and graduate students have received multiple National Science Foundation grants in the past five years.

Student Success

Our graduate students regularly present at national and international conferences including the Society for Research in Child Development, the Cognitive Science Society, the Association for Psychological Science, the Psychonomic Society, and the Midwestern Psychological Association conferences. Our students have recently published journal articles in Frontiers in Psychology, Computers & Education, and the International Journal of Science Education and have published several book chapters. 

An Interdisciplinary Approach

Our program takes a unique approach to the study of cognition, development, and learning. We draw from multiple fields such as Psychology, Cognitive Science, and Education to provide a broad approach that allows for a deep understanding of how the mind works and how to use this knowledge to improve learning outcomes.

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