Online gerontology degree programs delve into the field of aging and elderly wellness. It is a multidisciplinary field, drawing from psychology, sociology, medicine, and biology to study the aging process, health issues associated with age, and how society views aging and elderly populations. Gerontology is a rapidly expanding field, due to the fact that people are living much longer than their predecessors, demanding the need for prolonged geriatric studies on how we can further increase our lifespans.
Classified in the realm of health and medicine, students with gerontology degrees usually pursue careers that involve elderly care. In some cases, students may work as advocates for the elderly in public-policy positions, such as within the government sector or as social workers. Others choose to work in nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted-living communities helping the elderly on a daily basis. Gerontologists are not only familiar with particular ailments associated with old age, but also sociological issues between the elderly and non-elderly populations.
An undergraduate degree in gerontology does not equate to a career as a doctor; students will still need to pursue medical school or obtain their RN license to become medical professionals in the traditional sense. However, a gerontology degree can become a specialization or focus in a student’s medical career if they wish to obtain their Ph.D. later down the road.