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Prepare to Make a Difference in the Lives of Older Adults

Are you driven by a deep commitment to enhancing the lives of older adults? The Madonna University Bachelor of Science in Gerontology program features a rigorous curriculum which covers all aspects of aging, from the psychological changes that occur, to the social and cultural issues that older adults face. You will also have the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience through internships and practicums in a variety of settings, such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and community centers.

Plus, our program is offered both online and in the classroom, so you can earn your gerontology degree online from our experienced and dedicated faculty anywhere you have an internet connection.  

Career Opportunities in Gerontology

Madonna University’s gerontology program exposes students to a wide range of new and exciting advances in the aging field. After completing our program, you’ll have the knowledge and skills you need to start a rewarding career in gerontology. Some career opportunities for graduates include: 

  • Admissions Director: Admits new residents into nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care communities.
  • Care Coordinator: Coordinates the care of older adults, ensuring that they receive the services they need to live healthy and independent lives.
  • Community Health Worker: Provides health education and outreach to older adults in the community, helping them to stay healthy and manage chronic conditions.
  • Community Liaison: Builds relationships between older adults and community resources, such as senior centers, social service agencies, and transportation providers.
  • Life Enrichment Director: Plans and implements activities and programs for older adults in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other settings.
  • Insurance Administrator: Processes insurance claims for older adults, helping them to get the coverage they need for their healthcare.

Gerontology Alumni Success

See where our graduates work:

American House Senior Living Communities Logo
Alzheimer's Association Logo
Area Agency on Aging 1-B Logo
Brookdale Senior Living Logo
Canturbury by the Lake Logo
Livonia Parks & Recreation Commission Logo
Clinton Township Senior Life Adult Center Logo
Jewish Senior Life Logo
Marywood Nursing Care Center
Presbyterian Villages of Michigan Logo
The Senior Alliance Logo
Trinity Health Logo

Here are just a few reasons why gerontology is a great career choice:

  • The aging population is growing.
    The baby boomer generation is retiring, and people are living longer than ever before. This means that there is a growing need for services for older adults.
  • Employers are looking to hire gerontology professionals.
    The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of social and human service assistants, which includes gerontologists, will grow 9% from 2022-2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
  • Gerontology is a rewarding career.
    Gerontologists have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of older adults. They can help older adults stay healthy and independent, and they can also help them to connect with their community and live fulfilling lives.

The program covers a wide range of topics including aging, population health, gerontology policy, and program development. Students will also gain experience in conducting research on aging-related issues. Graduates of the program are prepared to work in a variety of settings, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and academia. The program is a great opportunity for those who want to advance their career in the gerontology field, develop leadership skills, or increase their job prospects.  

Take the Next Step 

If you are ready to start your journey to becoming a gerontology professional, apply to Madonna University’s Bachelor of Science in Gerontology program today. We are here to help you succeed!

Student Success

Keysha Barnes outdoors portrait close-up

Keysha Barnes

Keysha Barnes ’13 (gerontology) was not sure if aging studies was the right major for her. Originally, she planned to study clinical lab science, but after researching gerontology and meeting with Sue Anne Sweeney, professor and director of Madonna’s aging studies program, Barnes was amazed at what was available to older adults. “With my background in aging, I feel like I’m one step ahead of some of the people I work with,” she said. A care transitions coach for The Senior Alliance-Area Agency on Aging 1-C, a nonprofit organization, Barnes works to educate older adults,
with disabilities, about what resources are available to them. She also helps empower them with knowledge about their illness. Her Madonna education has made a tremendous impact on her life, by preparing her to be professional and to handle certain situations. “I like aging studies because I get to use it every day at work.
It was my calling because the people I come across know I’m here for them and their families. It is not just a job to me,” she said. Currently Barnes is working on a master’s degree in management.


Other Alumni Profiles:

Elizabeth Star-Hatfield
Jennifer Kirkland
Kelly Moran

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Senior Living Administration (MS)

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Faculty Bios

Denise Brothers

Associate Professor, Chair, Population Health and Aging

Graduate Program Director, MPH and MSSLA

Ph.D. Miami University

M.S. Miami University

dbrothers@madonna.edu

734-432-5531, Room 1311

Denise Brothers

Dr. Denise Brothers has been a faculty member of the Aging Studies Department since 2013. She holds a M.S. in Exercise and Health Studies and a Ph.D. in Social Gerontology, both from Miami University of Ohio. She also earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Michigan, School of Business Administration.

She teaches the introductory course in aging studies, psychology and aging, global aging, educational program planning, and programs and services for older adults. Her professional interests include understanding how race, class, and gender impact later-life outcomes, such as health, wealth, and social networks. Her research has included exploring how changing demographics and marital patterns are altering the ways in which older men and women are forming and maintaining new relationships in later life.

Earlier in her career, she assisted with a number of research projects on long-term care services and support in the state of Ohio. This research included a qualitative study on the experiences of consumers and caregivers receiving home-and-community based services as well as identifying current and future capacity needs for long-term care. She also engages in public scholarship through her participation on advisory groups within Michigan’s aging network.

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