REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF ARTS (B.A.) DEGREE

The aim of this degree is to prepare students for professional positions in a wide range of fields.  The undergraduate major is built upon UMBC’s liberal arts foundation and provides a strong knowledge base in human aging; understanding of regulatory/policy/fiscal issues involved in aging service provision; and fundamental management skills (i.e., accounting, human resources, critical thinking and negotiation). For this major, students must complete 51 credits, including a 42-credit interdisciplinary core and 9 credits of electives in two areas. 

 

Core courses:

ECON  121  Principles of Accounting I  (3)
ECAD 210 The Practice of Management
or POLI 250 Introduction to Public Administration (SS) (3) 
SPCH 210 Interpersonal Communication
or SPCH 220 Small-Group Communication (3)
AGNG 200 The Experience of Aging (3)
IS 295        Introduction to Applications Programming (3)
AGNG 300  Overview of Aging Services in the U.S (3)
ECAD 310 Human Resource Management
or ECAD 489 Seminar in Management and Administration (3) 
AGNG 401  Foundations of Aging Services  (3)
AGNG 422  Research Applications in Aging Services  (3)
HAPP 498 Financial Management and Decision Support for Health Services Orgs (3)
AGNG 440   Diversity in Aging Services  (3)
AGNG 460 Internship in Aging Services (5)
AGNG 461 Internship Seminar in Aging Services (1)
AGNG 470 Capstone in Aging Services (3)

 

The following are additional requirements for completion of the Management of Aging Services Major:

 

• Completion of two content and one additional skill elective (9 credits total) from a list of approved courses (available from the School’s office).
• Grades of “C” or better in all major courses.
• Completion of all of the general university and other degree requirements.
  4. Successful completion of the internship and associated internship seminar, as described below.

 

 

Content Electives:  (select 6 cr.)

 

 

Electives: (Select 6 credits)

AFST 473 The Black Senior Citizen
AGNG 298/399/498 Special Topics in Aging Services Management
AGNG 454 Global Aging and the Future of Social Insurance
AGNG 497 Supplemental Practicum in Aging Services
ANTH 429 Aging in Cultural Context
EHS 345 Death and Dying (SS)
HAPP 405 Contemporary Issues in Long-Term Care
PSYC 307 Psychology of Aging
PSYC 306 Lifespan Human Development
SOCY 357 Sociology of the Life Cycle
SOCY 358 Contemporary Problems of Aging
SOCY 430 Sociology of Aging
SOCY 431 Family and Aging in Society
SOCY 432 Work and Retirement
SOCY 434 Gender and the Life Course
SOCY 472 Issues in Aging Policy 

 

 

Professional Skill Electives: (select 3 cr.)

 

ECON 122 Principles of Accounting II
PHIL 146 Critical Thinking (AH) or PHIL 358 Bioethics or ECAD 385 Business Ethics
IS 304 Ethical Issues in Information Systems
POLI 354 Public Management & Personnel Systems
PSYC 446 Industrial/Organizational Psychology

 

Internship Requirement

 

All students must complete a one-semester internship and a simultaneous one-credit internship seminar course (AGNG 460 and AGNG 461). The internship requires 15 hours a week for the duration of the semester, and detailed requirements are outlined elsewhere. Enrollment in the internship takes place when students achieve Junior status in the university and have successfully completed at least 16 credits of the required courses (core or elective) with a grade point average of 2.5 or better.  The processes to apply for the internship and the rules governing it are detailed in the Erickson School’s Internship Program Manual. The timetable for application begins a full semester (at minimum) prior to the initiation of the internship semester; a timetable is outlined in the manual. Erickson School has developed multiple internship opportunities with private industry, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations that reflect the varied careers available to students. The purposes of the internship are:

 

• Testing their presumed career path for “fit”
• Applying classroom skills and knowledge to real circumstances and constraints
  • Engaging with older adults, professionals, regulators, and policy-makers
• Honing skills and performance with supervision and feedback

Oversight of the internship will be guided by an on-site supervisor in the host setting for the internship and through the UMBC faculty member supervising the related seminar class.  Students should be proactive in contacting their advisors when they plan to pursue the internship in order to begin the process and receive the manual.