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New Minor:
P00342
| Program Title: Psychology |
Catalog Description of Minor:
The geropsychology minor should be planned with a psychology adviser. The geropsychology minor consists of 27 hours of courses. Psy 320 (Introduction to Geropsychology) is required plus 12 additional hours taken from the following options:
PSY 409 Practicum (up to 4 hours can count toward the minor)
PSY 446 The Psychology of Leadership (4)
PSY 451 Biopsychology (4)
PSY 460 Cognitive Neuroscience (4)
PSY 483 Adulthood and Aging (4)
PSY 484 Death, Dying, and Grief (4)
In addition, students select at least 11 hours from the following options:
BA 211 Financial Accounting (4)
BA 310 Principles of Marketing (3)
BA 391 Human Resource Management (3)
COM 112 Interpersonal Communication (3)
HE 325 Nutrition (4)
HE 375 Epidemiology (4)
HE 411 Health Communication (4)
HE 434W Diseases (4)
HE 485W Bioethics and Public Health (4)
PS 350 Intro to Public Policy (3)
PS 430 The Aging Society (3)
PS 433 Healthcare Politics and Policy (3)
Justification for adding the minor
There is a need for trained professionals to work in the numerous fields related to gerontology, elder care services, and geriatric medicine. Oregon and the nation¿s population are undergoing a dramatic increase in the percentage of older adults. According to data compiled by the Administration on Aging1, by the year 2030 there will be approximately 70 million Americans age 65 and over, up from 40 million in 2010. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated that Oregon¿s older adult population is increasing at a rate of 3.5% as compared to the national median of 2.6%.2 Given these demographic changes it is fitting that Western Oregon University develop program offerings that will help serve this growing population.
In addition to the growing older adult population that will require specialized services, there are also unmet work force training needs. According the U.S. Department of Labor, employment in home health care services are expected to increase 69.5% between 2004 and 2014, during the same time period, community care services for the elderly are expected to see a 54.8% increase in the need for qualified employees. People from a broad range of career fields who have received training in geropsychology will be very marketable and provide important services for our community. The aging population is driving much of the increased need in the medical field. An understanding of geropsychology will help people who go into the following professions: medical assistants (52.1% increase expected between 2004 and 2014) physical therapists (36.7%), physical therapy assistants (44.2%), occupational therapists (33.6%), occupational therapy assistants (34.1%), as well as nurses and many other human service careers. An integral component of the proposed minor is a practicum option, which will allow students to get real-world experience in the area of geropsychology. The practicum experience will also help students navigate the transition from college student to productive member of the workforce.
The proposed minor will help serve the State of Oregon and its citizens by providing valuable training for the future workforce. In addition, students who complete proposed minor in geropsychology would be able to provide many of the services our aging population will need.
The following are examples of some of the numerous employment opportunities in the following fields that would be beneficial to someone trained in geropsychology:
¿ Long term care administration
¿ Skilled nursing care administration
¿ Senior center operations and management
¿ Occupational Therapy
¿ Home health care
¿ Physical Therapy
¿ Speech Language Pathologists
¿ Teaching
¿ Nursing
¿ Nursing assistants
¿ Recreational therapists
¿ Social work
¿ Research that focus on older adults' needs and interests
¿ Public and private institutions that provide health, education, and social services to older adults
¿ Senior care services
¿ Hospice
¿ Palliative care
¿ Public policy and advocate work for older adults
References
1. www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Aging_Statistics/Profile/.../2002profile.doc
2. www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/CB04-36TABLE4.xls
Approval Queue
| Step |
Approver |
Decision |
Timestamp |
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1 - Department |
Rob Winningham |
Approved | January 11 2010 |
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2 - Division |
Rob Winningham |
Approved | January 14 2010 |
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3 - Division Curriculum |
Eric Cooley |
Approved | February 22 2010 |
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4 - Library Dean |
Allen McKiel |
Approved | February 24 2010 |
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5 - Curriculum Committee |
Laurie Burton |
Approved | March 17 2010 |
Comments: Program (minor) title should be Geropsychology, not psychologyDisplay in catalog should refer to COURSES, not options and remove the ¿in addition¿ phrases.The geropsychology minor should be planned with a psychology adviser. The geropsychology minor consists of 27 hours of courses. .Psy 320 (Introduction to Geropsychology).Choose 12 hours from the following courses PSY 409 Practicum (up to 4 hours can count toward the minor) Etc. .Choose at least 11 hours from the following courses:BA 211 Financial Accounting (4) Etc.
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6 - Faculty Senate |
Katherine Schmidt |
Approved | April 30 2010 |
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7 - Dean |
Stephen Scheck |
Approved | May 01 2010 |
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8 - Provost |
Kent Neely |
Approved | May 02 2010 |
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9 - President |
Dianna Nickelson |
Approved | May 03 2010 |
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Attached Files:
