Evaluation and comparison of aging education for undergraduates across multiple fields of study

ABSTRACT

The college years represent a key opportunity for broadening the future gerontology workforce by introducing students to the aging content that may influence their career decisions, yet this content is often limited to students with behavioral health and health professions majors. The present study sought to determine the degree to which a Midwestern university’s general education course on aging could increase learning, interest, knowledge, and ability to use knowledge for undergraduates across multiple fields of study. Participants included 560 undergraduate students, 48% of which were health professions majors, 28% behavioral health majors, and 23% majors in other fields. While all groups reported significant increases in learning, knowledge, and interest in aging studies, ANOVA found significant differences by students’ field of study in reported ability to apply course knowledge in their career or organization. As demand increases for workers versed in the needs of the older adult population, it will be important for educators to incorporate career connections into aging studies coursework and make abundantly clear how students in all fields of study are necessary for the future gerontological workforce.

KEYWORDS:

• Gerontology education
• course evaluation
• undergraduate students
• college students
• aging-related coursework

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.