The mission of the Gerontology Ph.D. (dual-major) is to promote aging-related research and education at North Dakota State University that uses a discipline based perspective that serves to enhance the length and quality of life.

The Gerontology Ph.D. at North Dakota State University (NDSU) is a dual-major linking a discipline based Plan of Study with an interdisciplinary perspective on aging.  Depending on your specific area of interest, students will combine academic coursework in a primary major (Developmental Science, Exercise Science and Nutrition, or Adult and Community Education) with a secondary dual-major in Gerontology.

Students interested in pursuing a Ph. D. in Gerontology will apply to the NDSU Graduate School   for admission into the department that houses their primary major.  For more information, please contact either the department head in your area of interest or the program’s graduate coordinator.

Gerontology is the study of aging across the life course. It is interdisciplinary in its approach, incorporating information from the fields of biology, psychology, sociology, family studies, health education, nutrition, pharmacy, and many others. Gerontology research projects at NDSU are helping to understand the basic mechanisms of aging and the maintenance of independence in later life. Current studies of aging cover a wide range of topics including, but not limited to, health dynamics, cognition, disease prevention, retirement preparation, and financial security.

Gerontology represents an intellectually exciting field of study in which students can integrate information from diverse fields of inquiry. The interdisciplinary nature of the program is consistent with recommendations by the National Research Council that schools broaden the education graduate students receive in order to make them more valuable in the workplace.

Currently you have three primary major Ph.D. areas to choose from along with a secondary dual-major in Gerontology. Those primary Ph.D. majors are Developmental Science (Department of Human Development and Family Science), Exercise Science and Nutrition (Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science), and Education (School of Education). 

Upon successful completion of the program your academic transcript will post your achievement of a dual-major Ph.D. in both your primary major and Gerontology.

Upon successful completion of the program, your Ph.D. diploma will list your dual-major of both your primary major and Gerontology.