Description of Program

The 65-and-older population been growing rapidly for more than a decade. Those over age 65 now comprise the fastest-growing age group in the United States. Our aging society is resulting in a demand for professionals with knowledge and expertise in aging. There are expanding career opportunities in many fields, including health care, fitness, rehabilitation, finance, housing, education, recreation, law, and counseling. New technologies are changing the way people age. Many people are starting businesses to help people age well and maintain their health and independence.

The Healthy Aging minor provides students with professional training in the core disciplines of social and active aging, practice in the knowledge and skills needed for a career in aging services, and opportunities to apply knowledge through community engagement.

Admission

Students wanting to declare this minor may do so in one of two ways:

• By completing the form at https://publichealth.indiana.edu/undergraduate/minors-cert.html  
• alternatively, by contacting the records office of their degree-granting school/unit to have this minor officially added as an academic objective.  Kelley School of Business students must complete the following form: https://apps.kelley.iu.edu/UGrad/Student/MajorMinorChangeRequest

Students are responsible for checking with their degree-granting schools/units to determine whether or not this minor may be officially recorded on their transcripts.

Students considering this minor may schedule an appointment with an SPH-B academic advisor.

Requirements

This undergraduate minor program is intended for students in degree programs who wish to add a Healthy Aging specialty to their studies. This minor requires:

• successful completion of 15 credit hours prescribed below.
• a minimum grade of C- in each course used in the minor.
• a minimum cumulative minor GPA of 2.0.

Note: No course in this minor may be taken under the Pass/Fail Option.

Complete one of the following two tracks:

Social Aging Track

Required Foundational Courses (9 cr.)
Complete each of the following three courses:

• SPH-B 315 Health in the Later Years (3 cr.)
• SPH-B 354 Aging Today (3 cr.)
• SPH-B 335 Aging, Health, and Diverse Populations (3 cr.)

Elective Courses (6 cr.)
Compete two courses from the following:

• SPH-K 360 Determinants of Successful Active Living (3 cr.)
• SPH-F 150 Introduction to Life-Span Development (3 cr.) S&H
• SPH-F 348 Early Through Late Adulthood - Human Development III (3 cr.) P: SPH-F150
• SPH-H 220 Death and Dying (3 cr.) S&H
• SPHS-S 307 Cognition/Communication in Aging (3 cr.) P: One of SPHS-S110, S215, or S108; and SPHS-S201 or ANAT-A215

Active Aging Track

Required Foundational Courses (12 cr.)
Complete each of the following four courses:

• SPH-B 315 Health in the Later Years (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 360 Determinants of Successful Active Living (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 342 Foundations of Physical Activity Instruction for Older Adults (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 422 Programming for Age Related Medical Considerations (3 cr.)

Elective Course (3 cr.)
Complete any one course from the following:

• SPH-B 335 Aging Health, and Diverse Populations (3 cr.)
• SPH-B 354 Aging Today (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 412 Exercise and Disease (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 496 Practicum Experience in Kinesiology: Exercise Leadership (1-3 cr.)
• SPH-N 331 Lifecycle Nutrition (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 220 Nutrition and Health (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 231 Human Nutrition (3 cr.)
• SPH-B 416 Health Counseling (3 cr.)
• SLHS-S 307 Cognition/Communication in Aging (3 cr.) P: One of SPHS-S110, S215, or S108; and SPHS-S201 or ANAT-A215

+ Courses followed by the S&H notation may apply to both the minor requirements and to the general education, social and historical studies requirement for bachelor's degree students.

Program Highlights

The flexible program of study allows students to focus their studies on physical activity and aging or the broader study of aging and society. Both tracks provide opportunities for community engagement and research opportunities with faculty.

Students who graduate with a minor in Healthy Aging often pursue graduate work in physical or occupational therapy, medical school, nursing, chiropractic school, social work, and counseling. Students also start careers in work settings including non-profit organizations; local, state, and federal government programs; private industry; and residential senior living communities.