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Profession: Mental Health & Social Services

Gerontologist: Gerontologists know all about what it means to grow old. They help tailor goods, services and public policy to better meet the needs of the elderly. With many career options, gerontology is an emerging field. Elderly Americans represent one of the fastest growing segments of our population. Their social, emotional and health needs are greater than ever. Gerontologists meet these needs by working in existing fields, such as psychology, social work, dietetics, medicine, or even law and business; and also by working in newly developing nontraditional fields.

Salary Range: $29,590 - $49,060

Salary Notes: Salary levels vary in relation to work setting and level of education.

Where you can study:
Community College of Rhode Island, Warwick, RI
Gateway Community College, New Haven, CT
Holyoke Community College, Holyoke, MA
Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury, CT
North Shore Community College, Danvers, MA
Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT
University of Vermont Dept. of Continuing Education, Burlington, VT

Where you might work:
Academic and Research Settings - Business and Industry - Educational Institutions - Health Care and Long Term Care Institutions - Senior Citizen Centers and Retirement Communities -

Job Outlook: As the size of the American elderly population grows, the demand for people with expertise in gerontology will increase.

Education, Licensing and Certification: High school course work should focus on college-prep classes, including math, science, and humanities. After high school, a minor or certificate in Gerontology can be combined with a major in any number of fields. The length of training in those majors is entirely dependent upon the area of study. Gerontology course work or a certificate can also be incorporated in to a master’s degree. There are currently no licensing or registration requirements in Vermont for gerontologists.

Professional Organizations:
Association for Gerontology in Higher Education 202-289-9806 www.aghe.org