Sanford Center for Aging/Gerontology

The university’s Sanford Center for Aging offers a dynamic interdisciplinary focus for teaching, translational research, outreach, and community partnerships in the field of aging. Guided by the Sanford Center for Aging Oversight Committee, the SCA is the hub of gerontology and geriatric endeavors campus wide and administers the Gerontological Academic Program (GAP).

The Sanford Center also offers annual scholarships to students based on need and academic performance.

For a complete description of the center, refer to the summary in the “Division of Health Sciences” section of the catalog. Additional information can be found by visiting http://www.unr.edu/sanford .
 

Gerontology

The Gerontology Academic Program (GAP) is part of the Sanford Center for Aging and is guided by an interdisciplinary faculty committee that develops and promotes new projects and programs to enhance education and research in aging at the University of Nevada, Reno. The GAP holds the prestigious distinction of being a Program of merit as designated by the Association of Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE). The GAP aims to “fill the gap” between the needs of older adults and the availability of professionals trained in gerontology and geriatrics in the state of Nevada.

A 24-credit gerontology certificate and an 18-credit gerontology minor provide both a theoretical and an applied understanding of the knowledge and skills necessary for working effectively with elders. Students take courses in the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging. A mentoring apprenticeship model is used to focus on student and faculty research, field experiences and service learning opportunities. Students in nursing, social work, public health, medicine, business, education, and other majors graduate with knowledge of a dynamic aging society, an understanding of the processes of aging, and an appreciation for service delivery to the aging