Psychology Career Path: Gerontology Psychology
- Action Steps for Students
- Fieldwork and Research in Psychology
- Potential Career Paths
- Undergraduate Course Requirements
- What Are Gerontology and Clinical Geropsychology?
Potential Career Paths
- Geropsychologist (Ph.D., Psy.D.)
- Gerontologist (Associates, B.A., Master's, Ph.D.)
- Social and Health Service Assistants (Certificate, Associates)
- Social Worker (MSW)
- Nursing and Home Health Aides (H.S. diploma, Associates)
- Medical and Health Services Managers (B.A., Master's)
- Health Care Professionals (B.A., R.N.)
- Long Term Administrator (B.S.H.)
Action Steps for Students
To learn more about forensic psychology, here is what students can do:
- Visit the websites of professional organizations, such as Division 12, Section II (Clinical Geropsychology) or Division 20 (Adult Development and Aging) of the or the .
- Gain experience by completing an internship or volunteering in health or mental health agencies serving older people.
- Schedule a meeting with a gerontologist or geropsychologist to discuss his or her profession.
- Read professional journals, such as Psychology and Aging, Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, and The Gerontologist.
What Are Gerontology and Clinical Geropsychology?
Geropsychology is a specialty of psychology that applies clinical psychology and research to the population of older adults. Geropsychologists address a variety of issues that affect older adults, such as loss of loved ones, relocation, medical conditions, and changes in employment status, memory, and family relationships.
Career opportunities for students interested in psychology and aging are expanding. The fastest growing segment of the U.S. population is people 65 years of age and older. There is a shortage of geropsychologists, and career opportunities are expected to increase.
A related field, gerontology, is the study of the physical, mental, and sociological aspects of aging. Gerontologists are health care professionals who specialize in working with elderly patients. There are many career opportunities in gerontology. For example, gerontologists may work for human