Older adults are living longer than at any other time in history. By 2035, older adults will outnumber children. There is a genuine need for social work students to be adequately trained to meet the needs of older adults in a variety of settings including medical, hospice, long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, home and community-based services, behavioral health, corrections, criminal justice, research and policy analysis, program development, advocacy, education, and training.
The Social Work Minor in Aging provides an opportunity for undergraduate social work students to obtain skills and knowledge in gerontology. Their classroom training culminates in a field practicum in an agency that serves older adults. In this setting, a field instructor supports students as they apply the knowledge learned in the classroom and acquire direct practice skills through interacting with clients. This prepares students to work with the aging population after graduation.
The Social Work Minor in Aging is open to undergraduate social work students only.
If you’re interested in learning more, please contact Jen Kahn-Pettigrew, Coordinator for Education and Programming (kahnpet2@uwm.edu or 414-229-6888), to set up an advising appointment.
| Required Courses (already required for the Social Work program) | ||
|---|---|---|
| SOC WRK 250 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment | 3 |
| SOC WRK 421 | Field Education & Integrated Field Seminar I | 5 |
| SOC WRK 422 | Field Education & Integrated Seminar II | 5 |
| Electives | ||
| Choose three courses from those listed below: | ||
| SOC WRK 300 | Aged to Perfection: Introduction to the Study of Aging | 3 |
| SOC WRK 564 | Social Services for the Aging | 3 |
| SOC WRK 680 | Death and Dying | 3 |
| SOC WRK 685 | Social Gerontology | 3 |
| Total Credits | 22 | |
Program Resources
- Applied Gerontology Home Page
- Graduate Certificate in
Applied Gerontology - Graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology – Online Option
- Social Work Minor in Aging
- Helen Bader Age and Community Scholarship
- Irene Frye Scholarship for Gerontology
- Student Gerontology Association
- Faculty and Alumni Profiles
- World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Event
- Community and Educational Resources
Connect With Applied Gerontology:
