Paying for college:
| New course | Undergraduate |
| First term offered : Spring 2012 | ||
| Course Prefix&Number | Descriptive Title | Credits/Hours |
| GERO 409 | Practicum in Gerontology | 1 - 9 |
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Abbreviation for Class Schedule(20 spaces) Practicum in Gero |
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Catalog Description: Field experience in gerontology. Course may be repeated for credit if content is different. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. |
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Course Goal and Objectives: ¿ Apply theories and knowledge learned in the Gerontology Program in real-world settings. ¿ Analyze interdependent and collaborative efforts in providing services for older adults and their families. ¿ Develop skills and knowledge that can be used in gerontological fields and settings. ¿ Recognize the role of people trained in gerontology. ¿ Develop a better appreciation for how different agencies and professions help maximize older adults¿ quality of life. |
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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 ¿ 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 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 |
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Faculty and facilities needed: We anticipate needing at least one new tenure track and some NTT FTE to cover the proposed Gerontology Major. |
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Brief Course outline: ¿ The student will meet with a professor who is supervising the practicum. ¿ Student will work with professor to identify practicum site that is a good fit for both the student and practicum site. ¿ Student will meet with supervising professor throughout the practicum and after it is complete. |
| Step | Approver | Decision | Timestamp |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - Department | Rob Winningham | Approved | October 08 2010 |
| 2 - Division | Rob Winningham | Approved | October 08 2010 |
| 3 - Division Curriculum | Eric Cooley | Approved | October 08 2010 |
| 5 - Curriculum Committee | Robert Monge | Approved | October 19 2010 |
| 6 - Faculty Senate | Gavin Keulks | Approved | November 09 2010 |
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Comments: Approved 11/9/2010, faculty senate |
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| 7 - Dean | Stephen Scheck | Approved | November 13 2010 |
| 8 - Provost | Kent Neely | Approved | November 14 2010 |
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