The populations of the United States and world are growing older, precipitating important changes in social policies and health. By the year 2030, approximately 22 percent of the American population will be 65 years or older, nearly double what it is currently. These growing numbers of elderly will increase demand for individuals trained in gerontology. The specialization is administered out of the department of Human Development, Family Living and Community Educational Services. About Specializations To meet the rapidly changing demands of society, UW-Stout has developed specializations in a number of areas.
Specializations differ from traditional majors, minors and concentrations.
Specializations are interdisciplinary and offer much flexibility in employment opportunities. As a Stout student you may complete a specialization in addition to your degree program. Courses taken for the specializations may, where they fit within program requirements, be applied to a variety of existing graduate or undergraduate degree programs. Familiarize yourself with the opportunities a specialization offers. The certificate awarded to you upon successful completion of a specialization may be the added edge you are looking for in your professional and personal life.