Apr 29, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog | 2023-2024 
    
Undergraduate Catalog | 2023-2024

Interdisciplinary Studies, Gerontology Concentration, B.A.


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The B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies has concentrations in the following areas: Capitalism Studies, Film & Media Production, Gerontology, Health & Medical Humanities, and Women’s and Gender Studies. The program allows students to combine an interdisciplinary concentration in one of these areas with in-depth coursework in a disciplinary field to create an individually designed major reflecting their own interests. Through the combination of interdisciplinary and disciplinary coursework, students gain a deeper understanding of these areas of study from multiple perspectives and develop competencies in oral and written communication, critical thinking, data analysis, teamwork, and leadership.

All program-level Admissions and Progression Requirements are in addition to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Admission Requirements .

Admission Requirements


Freshmen and Transfers

All students must meet UNC Charlotte requirements for admission for undergraduate students. General advising for prospective and newly declared majors will introduce students to the curriculum and degree requirements so as not to delay graduation or result in higher costs to students.

See University Admission Requirements 

Currently Enrolled Students

  • Students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA unless it is their first semester at UNC Charlotte and a cumulative GPA has not been established.
  • Declaration of Major: Students who want to declare a major in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Concentration in Gerontology should first meet with the Gerontology Program Director, then complete the “Add IDST Major” form located on the Interdisciplinary Studies department website.

Degree Requirements


General Education Courses (37-43 credit hours)


For details on required General Education courses, refer to the General Education Program .

Foreign Language Requirement (6-8 credit hours)


For details on required General Education courses, refer to the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Foreign Language Requirement .

Major Courses (39 credit hours)


Gerontology Concentration Courses (21 credit hours)


Introductory Course (SL) (3 credit hours)

An interdisciplinary course that examines the phenomenon of aging and its consequences for society from a variety of perspectives. Students participate in lectures, discussions and service-learning projects designed to give them a broad overview of the field of gerontology. Emphasis on the wide variation in the aging process and approaches to meeting the needs of the aging population. Transfer credit is not accepted for this course.

Interdisciplinary Research Methods Course (3 credit hours)

This course provides an overview of qualitative and quantitative methods that are commonly used across academic disciplines and in interdisciplinary research. It examines epistemological considerations that go into crafting an original research question, developing an appropriate research design, and critically analyzing evidence. These include exploring philosophical worldviews, reviewing relevant literature, understanding the relationship between theory and methods, considering ethical issues, and assessing the reliability of data. By studying methods across academic fields, students will learn to engage with a broad range of existing scholarship and build a foundation for conducting their own interdisciplinary research.

Secondary Electives (6 credit hours)

Students must take two secondary electives which may be chosen from the following list of approved courses related to gerontology.  Additional gerontology primary elective courses may also count toward this requirement.  Other appropriate courses may be chosen as electives in consultation with the program director.

Capstone/Practicum Course (3 credit hours)

Participation in a preliminary orientation session a semester in advance is required to receive a permit for this course.  Students must be in the gerontology concentration and have who have completed GRNT 2100 , two primary elective courses, and one secondary elective courses (preferably two), and should take this course as close to graduation as possible. Transfer credit is not accepted for this course.

Disciplinary Depth Coursework (18 credit hours)


Select 18 credit hours in a disciplinary field of study that complements your concentration. This may be a minor in a disciplinary department, or an alternative course of study approved by the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies. A maximum of two courses (6 hours) from a student’s disciplinary depth coursework can count toward the electives in their Interdisciplinary Studies concentration, allowing completion of the major in 33 credit hours with proper planning. No more than two courses (6 hours) from another declared major can count toward the student’s Interdisciplinary Studies major.

Degree Total = 120 credit hours


Progression Requirements


Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 to continue in the major. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 in concentration (gerontology) courses and C or above in concentration (gerontology) courses is required to successfully graduate with this concentration.

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