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Nature of course request C01581 :

New course

Undergraduate

First term offered : Fall 2012
Course Prefix&Number	Descriptive Title	Credits/Hours
GERO 407	Seminar	1 - 12

Abbreviation for Class Schedule(20 spaces) Seminar

Catalog Description: Special topic offerings in the area of gerontology. Terms and hours to be arranged. Course may be repeated for credit if content is different.

Course Goal and Objectives: Course Goal and Objectives: 1. Offer cutting edge special topics courses in the field of gerontology. 2. Develop a better appreciation for the interdisciplinary field of gerontology and possible ways to maximize older adults¿ quality of life.

Justification for adding the course (e.g. alignment with other institutions, program revision, etc.): In Spring 2010 the Psychology Division at WOU surveyed graduating Psychology Majors about their interest in courses related to older adults and employment opportunities associated with the field of gerontology and geropsychology. Despite very limited advertising for our new minor in Geropsychology (approved Summer 2010), 43% of graduating seniors indicated great or very great interest in taking Geropsychology courses, and 31% showed great or very great interest in minoring in Geropsychology. Additionally, seniors were interested in a variety of employment opportunities associated with the field, with the greatest interest shown for Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Recreational Therapy, Social Work, public and private institutions that provide health, education, and social services to older adults, and public policy and advocate work for older adults. We didn¿t survey these students about an interest in majoring in gerontology, but clearly there is an interest in this field, which is fabulous given the needs that industry has for people trained to work with older adults 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 gerontology 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 gerontology 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. The following are examples of some of the numerous employment opportunities in the following fields that would be beneficial to someone trained in gerontology: Long term care administration Occupational Therapy Home health care 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 advocacy 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

Faculty and facilities needed: We anticipate needing at least one new tenure track and some NTT FTE to cover the previously approved Gerontology Major and the associated courses. This course could be taught by both new or current faculty.

Brief Course outline: The course will include special topics in the area of gerontology.

Approval Queue C01581

Attached Files:

400 Bad Request

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