Program:

Are you looking for a job in an area that is rapidly growing? A job that needs people with a broad range of skills to help improve people's lives? A job that will be exciting, challenging and rewarding? Consider a career in the field of aging!

Because of the increasing number of elderly persons and the fact that the general population is living longer, there is a growing need for people to work in the field of aging. Some people work directly with the elderly in a wide variety of programs and services in the community. These careers include social work, counseling, recreation therapy, and community outreach. Others work on behalf of older persons in areas such as research, advocacy, and teaching about aging.

The goal in both types of work is to increase the quality of our lives as we age. Is the field of aging a possible career choice for you? Are you the kind of person who cares deeply for others, and would like to improve the quality of life for older people? If so, this may be your future career pathway.

Download a PDF version of our Program Brochure

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Program Contacts:

	Lynn Tepper, EdD Professor, Social and Behavioral Sciences ltepper@mercy.edu Telephone: 914-674-7359
	Diana D'Amico Juettner, JD Co-Chair, Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences djuettner@mercy.edu Telephone: 914-674-7546
	Hind Culhane, EdD Co-Chair, Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences hculhane@mercy.edu Telephone: 914-674-7376

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Career Opportunities:

Representative career opportunities include: counseling, psychology, social work, community health, education, adult day care, health administration, therapeutic recreation, human services advocacy, senior center director, nutrition program director, marriage and family counselor, mental health counselor, and nursing home administrator.

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Curriculum:

The Behavioral Science, Gerontology program focuses on social psychology, computers for the social and behavioral science, methodology for the social and behavioral sciences, internship for the social and behavioral sciences, classics in the social and behavioral sciences, health psychology and behavioral medicine, aging and mental health or personality in adulthood, medical sociology, and medical ethics.

For the complete course curriculum click here.

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Campuses where program is offered:

Bronx and Dobbs Ferry.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

What career opportunities are available to me with this degree?
Students graduating from this program have secured positions in community agencies, hospitals, public health, adult daycare programs, nursing homes, government leadership, colleges, social service agencies, and substance abuse programs.

Do I have to go on to obtain a graduate degree (Master's or above) in order to secure the best jobs in gerontology?
No and Yes. About half of our students go on to obtain a Master's degree, either directly afterward, or after several years. However, many students have obtained high level positions without a Master's degree. Many of the places students have obtained positions pay for part or all of their graduate school expenses.

How much money can I earn in this field?
There is a very wide range of financial opportunities in this field, ranging from entry-level social service case management (approximately $30,000/yr entry-level), to higher paying positions (approximately $40,000 - $75,000/yr). Those who have started private programs or agencies that serve the elderly, have even higher incomes.

I really like older people, but I don't see myself working in a nursing home. Will this attitude present a major limitation for me?
No. Keep in mind that only 5% of people over 65 are in nursing homes. This means that 95% are living in the community, either completely independent, or in need of a limited amount of assistance. In any case, the vast majority of career pathways in gerontology are with people living in non-institutional settings.

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