Geropsychology is the study of how aging affects physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Geropsychologists counsel elderly people struggling with anxiety, severe depression, suicidal thoughts, dementia, and various age-related mental health problems. Geropsychologists often administer psychotherapy and other treatments to older adults with emotional problems, so patients can live happy lives and overcome age-related mental health problems.
Aspiring psychologists who enjoy working with the elderly are ideal candidates for this career. Since life expectancy rates are high, geropsychologists will be in high demand through the near future. Some universities offer geropsychology as a concentration in a general or specialized PhD program. It typically takes 5 years to complete one of these programs.
Graduate students studying geropsychology complete classroom learning, participate in large research projects, and acquire clinical experience. Since few psychologists specialize in geropsychology, graduate student research is being used to develop new treatments and psychological theories.
Below is a list of colleges and universities offering specialized programs in geropsychology. However, you can earn your bachelor’s, master’s or PhD degree in psychology from most universities and still transition into a career in geropsychology.
Educational programs in geropsychology focus on the psychology of aging and of elderly individuals and populations, with reference to growth and decline across the life span. Programs typically include in depth instruction in gerontology, age-related development and decline of cognitive processes, developmental and adult psychology, social and personality development in aging populations and individuals, age-related psychological and neurological disorders, and applications to the clinical treatment and care of older adults.
The colleges, universities and schools below offer majors and degree programs in Geropsychology. To learn more about a specific school click on any of the links below.
Notre Dame de Namur University
| Phone Number: | (650) 508-3500 |
| Website: | www.ndnu.edu |
| School Type: | 4-year private not-for-profit |
| Awards Offered: | Bachelor’s degree Postbaccalaureate certificate Master’s degree |
| Campus setting: | Large suburb |
| Campus housing: | Yes |
| Student Population: | 1,879 (961 undergraduate) |
| Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 12 to 1 |
| Admissions: | www.ndnu.edu/admissions/ |
| Financial Aid: | www.ndnu.edu/academics/financial-aid/ |
Prescott College
| Phone Number: | (877) 350-2100 |
| Website: | www.prescott.edu |
| School Type: | 4-year private not-for-profit |
| Awards Offered: | Bachelor’s degree Postbaccalaureate certificate Master’s degree Post-master’s certificate Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship |
| Campus setting: | Small city |
| Campus housing: | Yes |
| Student Population: | 1,432 (1,034 undergraduate) |
| Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 12 to 1 |