Inha University Establishes Graduate Program in 'Gerontology'...The Only One in Incheon Area

Inha University

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Inha University is opening a graduate program specializing in the study of "elderly" for the first time among universities in the Incheon area.

Inha University announced on the 20th that it has established a Department of Gerontology within the Graduate School of Policy and recently recruited new students, with the first lectures scheduled to begin in March.

Kim Jinyoung, Dean of the Graduate School of Policy, stated, "The newly established Gerontology major is a department that studies the 'elderly' itself, a new field that has not yet been created at other universities nationwide. Since South Korea entered an aged society in 2017 and is experiencing a rapid increase in the elderly population, with a super-aged society expected by 2026, researching gerontology has naturally become a trend of the times."

The enrollment quota for the first semester in the Department of Gerontology is 8 students, who will study subjects such as gerontobiology, gerontopsychology, gerontosociology, geriatric medicine, and gerontological social welfare.

Gerontobiology deals with aging itself, including cellular tissue and physiological changes due to aging, and seeks methods to delay aging through anatomical and biological research. Gerontopsychology studies the relationship between aging and changes in intelligence, senses, functions, personality, and learning ability, and explores solutions to problems faced by the elderly during the aging process.

Gerontosociology examines the roles and statuses of major social institutions according to age changes, while geriatric medicine covers the medical field exploring pathological processes arising from aging. Gerontological social welfare studies issues related to economic and psychological well-being, human relationships, and family during old age from a social welfare perspective.

Lectures will be conducted by professors specializing in various fields as well as external experts in gerontology. The program will offer three required courses: Introduction to Gerontology, Gerontology Practicum, and Gerontology Seminar, along with 15 elective courses including Elderly Policy and Law, Elderly and Economic Life, Social Participation of the Elderly, Elderly Mental Health and Counseling, Elderly and Sexuality, and Elderly and Death.