Why study Social Sciences Interdisciplinary BA - Health and Human Services Social Gerontology Concentration at UB?

Health and Human Services (HHS) is one of six major areas in the Social Sciences Interdisciplinary major. It studies the systems delivering human services to individuals and communities in need, the problems affecting those individuals and communities, and the professions and professionals providing services.

Within SSC/Health and Human Services students focus their upper level coursework in a specific concentration: social gerontology (HHS/GER), community mental health (HHS/CMH) or early childhood studies (HHS/ECH).

The field of aging is rewarding and expanding rapidly. The HHS/Social Gerontology major explores the physical, social and psychological aspects of aging. It highlights issues and problems that impact the elderly such as substance abuse, family violence and grief and loss. During two semesters of fieldwork, students do internships in nursing homes, senior centers, human services agencies, hospitals, and government agencies.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have the ability to:

• Identify a range of health and human service professions and their characteristics; understand typical human service (HS) problems and client needs; understand the theoretical foundations of human service interventions
• Understand the foundational principles of two social science disciplines critical to HS interventions
• Understand the methodology of and be able to critically evaluate social science research; propose a research project that would answer a significant research question
• Utilize statistical methods to evaluate data in relation to knowledge claims
• Recognize the effect of human values and cultural diversity on the provision of health HS
• Demonstrate understanding of the dynamic process of aging from a social and physical perspective; agency structure/function; health care needs/response; family and social structure
• Demonstrate personal characteristics and professional skills associated with HS positions
• Develop interview, oral presentation and writing skills necessary in HS fields

Career Outlook

Students who graduate from the Social Sciences Interdisciplinary/Health and Human Services – Social Gerontology major are prepared to work in such areas as senior activities, homeless services, case assistance and senior services planning.

Students have reported obtaining employment with Weinberg Campus, Elderwood Health Care, Degraff Memorial Hospital, Jewish Association for the Aging and Buffalo City Mission.

The interdisciplinary structure of the major prepares students to go on to advanced study in social work, counseling, and healthcare management. Students who have combined the major with extra course work in the hard sciences have used the major in preparation for physician assistant, medical or dental school. Students have gone on to advanced studies at SUNY Stony Brook, University of Florida, Columbia University, D’Youville College and SUNY Buffalo.