College Highlights BGSU's College of Health and Human Services was the first collegiate unit in northwest Ohio devoted exclusively to academic programs in health and human services. There are 11 active student organizations with many connected to their national professional affiliation. Each major emphasizes hands-on opportunities through practical experiences and laboratory courses. The college sponsors a Health Sciences Residential Community where students benefit from learning and socializing with other students taking similar classes, increased contacts with faculty in the health-science academic majors, and academic advising and career exploration that takes place within the residence hall. The gerontology curriculum is built on a liberal arts base.
Students take a core of courses in gerontology and other social sciences.
In addition to the core courses, each student selects a cognate such as biology, human resource management, recreation, service planning, etc. Cognates provide skills and knowledge to enhance students abilities to contribute to the health and well being of older adults. The final component of the gerontology curriculum is practicum. The practicum consists of a minimum of 400 hours of on-site, supervised effort in a program, agency or institution that serves the elderly. The practicum socializes students to the aging services network, presents an opportunity for the student to apply knowledge gained in the classroom and provides students with opportunities to acquire additional skills and professional networking.