Management of Aging Services, B.A.

The aim of this degree is to prepare students for entry level professional positions in management of aging services. 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 54 credits.

Core courses:

Select one of the sequences: 6 Credits

Electives:

Students must choose 2 courses at 3 credits each from the list of approved courses with the approval of their advisor. Please visit the Erickson School website for the list of approved electives.

The following are additional requirements for completion of the management of aging services major:

Completion of two electives (6 credits).
Grades of “C” or better in all major courses.
Completion of all of the general university and other degree requirements.
Successful completion of the internship and associated internship seminar, as described below.

Internship Requirements

All students must complete a one, or two-semester internship and simultaneously attend an in class seminar. The internship can be taken during one semester (AGNG 460 ) while earning a total of 6 credit hours. During the one-semester internship students are required to work approximately 14-15 hours a week for the duration of the semester. Students who wish to take the internship in two-semesters will initially enroll in AGNG 462 , followed by enrolling in AGNG 463 the following semester, each time earning 3 credit hours. Enrollment in the internship takes place when students achieve junior status “in good standing” in the university and have successfully completed at least 15 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. The Erickson School in conjunction with the Shriver Center 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 students’ 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 to begin the process and receive the manual.