Professionalizing Gerontology: Why AGHE Must Accredit Gerontology Programs

Abstract

The aging of society requires more trained aging specialists. Are higher education institutions prepared? Results of a comparison of gerontology programs in 2000 and 2010 indicate that the number of programs has declined and that higher education is not prepared. To address this challenge, the authors propose that gerontology be professionalized. To do so will require the accreditation of gerontology programs, the credentialing of gerontology graduates, and the employment of professional gerontologists. The authors offer a model that describes these relationships. The authors make the case, using a symbolic interactionist approach, that the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education must accredit gerontology programs.

Keywords:

• gerontology academic program accreditation
• gerontology degree programs
• certification of gerontologists
• gerontology higher education
• academic gerontology
• gerontology competencies
• careers