Population Shift, Needs of Aging Americans Spur New UM Department

The University of Mississippi (UM) has established the new Department of Applied Gerontology to meet the challenge of training future geriatric medical practitioners, reports Ole Miss . "People are living longer, more active lives, and applied gerontology majors and minors will engage with faculty from many different disciplines through interprofessional academic and experiential offerings that prepare them to help citizens live the dynamic lives they want, for as long as possible," said UM's Teresa Carithers. "Our program will be innovative in addressing critical preparation, recruitment, and retention issues presenting enormous national challenges within the interdisciplinary, long-term care workforce through education and training initiatives." Carithers added that the new department will use targeted technological innovations to better equip students to be leaders in the field of aging amid an ongoing population shift that is seeing larger numbers of adults living longer than previous generations. The new department offers a bachelor's degree in applied gerontology, requiring enrollees to take courses in everything from communication disorders and advanced composition to nutrition and exercise science. Students also must pursue a recognized minor or second major to help them specialize in an area related to their career goals.