Gerontology
Become a service professional for one of Canada’s fastest growing populations.
With Canada’s population aging rapidly, quite similar to several Western countries, working with older adults and familiarity with aging and age-friendly practices will become more common in all areas of employment.
The aging of Baby-Boomers has created new opportunities for careers in Gerontology. Many of our graduates have successful careers as human service professionals, researchers, program directors, administrators and small business owners.
Conseiller ou conseillère aux études
Sara MacDonald
Téléphone : 705-675-1151 ext 4201
Courriel : SZMacDonald@laurentian.ca
Bureau : A-305C Arts Building

We offer three- and four-year Bachelor of Arts programs in Gerontology, as well as a three-year BA degree in distance education that is the first of its kind in Canada. All program options may be combined with program options from other disciplines offered at Laurentian University.
Ontario High School Applicants
Program Prerequisites:
- 1 grade 12 English U/M course; 5 other grade 12 U/M courses
- A minimum overall average of 70% in the 6 best grade 12 U/M courses
Additional information for applicants who have completed Advanced Placement courses.
Additional information for applicants who have completed the International Baccalaureate.
Applicants from outside an Ontario High School
Canadian High School Applicants from outside Ontario
Note pour les étudiants actuels
Les options de grade ci-dessous seront offertes lors de la prochaine année universitaire et ne le sont pas cette année. Si vous cherchez les cours à suivre afin de compléter les options d'un programme d'une année universitaire antérieure, svp consultez avec un conseiller académique.
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Gerontology
Total 120 credits
Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.
Specialization in Gerontology (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE STARTING SEPTEMBER 2020)
All students entering a BA program as of September 2017 are required to take 6 credits each of linguistic awareness, scientific literacy and indigenous content as per the regulations.
GERO 1016E Introduction to Gerontology I: Understanding Aging Today
GERO 1017E Introduction to Gerontology II: Caring For the Elderly in Canada
GERO 2016E Optimal Aging I
GERO 2017E Optimal Aging II
GERO 3016E Critical Skills for the Gerontologist I
GERO 3017E Critical Skills for the Gerontologist II
GERO 3107E Internship in Gerontology
GERO 3126E Applied Research Methods in Gerontology I
GERO 3127E Applied Research Methods in Gerontology II
21 credits of Gerontology electives (see list of electives)
Option A – THESIS STREAM
GERO 4015E Thesis
and 2 of the following courses (total of 6 credits):
GERO 4301E Seminar Course
GERO 4236E Aging and Human Physical activity
GERO 4206E Analysing Public Policy for Canada's Diverse Aging Population
GERO 4257E Gerosex II
GERO 4306E Service Delivery of Long-Term Care
GERO-4096E Directed Studies
Option B – COURSE STREAM
4 of the following courses (total of 12 credits):
GERO 4301E Seminar Course
GERO 4236E Aging and Human Physical activity
GERO 4206E Analysing Public Policy for Canada's Diverse Aging Population
GERO 4257E Gerosex II
GERO 4306E Service Delivery of Long-Term Care
Note: Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
Major in Gerontology (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE STARTING SEPTEMBER 2020)
All students entering a BA program as of September 2017 are required to take 6 credits each of linguistic awareness, scientific literacy and indigenous content as per the regulations.
GERO 1016E Introduction to Gerontology I: Understanding Aging Today
GERO 1017E Introduction to Gerontology II: Caring For the Elderly in Canada
GERO 2016E Optimal Aging I
GERO 2017E Optimal Aging II
GERO 3016E Critical Skills for the Gerontologist I
GERO 3017E Critical Skills for the Gerontologist II
GERO 3107E Internship in Gerontology
GERO 3126E Applied Research Methods in Gerontology I
GERO 3127E Applied Research Methods in Gerontology II
1 of the following courses (3 credits):
GERO 3306E Dementia Studies
GERO 3326E Food and Nutrition
GERO 3327E Ethical Issues for the Elderly
4 of the following courses (12 credits total):
GERO 4301E Seminar Course
GERO 4236E Aging and Human Physical activity
GERO 4206E Analysing Public Policy for Canada's Diverse Aging Population
GERO 4257E Gerosex II
GERO 4306E Service Delivery of Long-Term Care
Notes:
Students must complete a minimum of a minor (24 credits) or a second major (42 credits) from among their elective credits.
Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
Bachelor of Arts (General) in Gerontology
Total 90 credits
Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.
Concentration in Gerontology (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
All students entering a BA program as of September 2017 are required to take 6 credits each of linguistic awareness, scientific literacy and indigenous content as per the regulations.
GERO 1016E Introduction to Gerontology I: Understanding Aging Today
GERO 1017E Introduction to Gerontology II: Caring For the Elderly in Canada
GERO 2016E Optimal Aging I
GERO 2017E Optimal Aging II
GERO 3016E Critical Skills for the Gerontologist I
GERO 3017E Critical Skills for the Gerontologist II
GERO 3107E Internship in Gerontology
15 credits of Gerontology electives
Note: Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
Minor in Gerontology (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
GERO 1016E Introduction to Gerontology I: Understanding Aging Today
GERO 1017E Introduction to Gerontology II: Caring For the Elderly in Canada
12 credits of GERO, at least 6 of which must be at the 3000 or 4000 level
6 credits from the list of electives
List of Gerontology Electives
All GERO courses in addition to the following courses:
ANTR 2016E Human Biological Variation, Adaptations and Health
ANTR 2136E Work and Livelihoods Across Cultures
ANTR 3046E Environmental Anthropology
ACCT 1001E Understanding and Using Financial Information
COST 2606E The Decorated Body As Communication
COST 2246E/RLST 2246E The Dynamics of Interpersonal Communication I
COST 3127E Communication Research
INDG 3256E Aboriginal Health and Wellness
RLST 3336E Food, Ritual and Religion
SOCI 2036E Family Sociology I
SOCI 3817E Sociology of Aging
SWLF 2106E Political Economy of Social Welfare
SWLF 2107E Human Service Organizations
WGSX 2357E Women and Aging
WGSX 2456E Women’s Health Issues