Learn by Doing
All gerontology students have the opportunity to participate in a practicum and gain valuable real-world experience before graduating.
Our practicum opportunities will help you develop relevant career skills while earning college credits. This will put you a step ahead as you start your career. We also have research opportunities where you can work with faculty on cutting-edge gerontology research.
The Gerontology department has established practicum opportunities with dozens of organizations associated with aging in Omaha, Lincoln, and surrounding areas. Whether your interest is in senior housing, hospice, advocacy, community programming, politics, administration, activity programming, social services, or other related areas, you will receive valuable experience and contacts in the field to enhance your career development.
Qualifications
- Must be a Gerontology major or certificate student.
- A minimum of 9 credit hours completed in Gerontology before starting the practicum.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 at the end of the semester preceding the start of the practicum.
- Out of state students may complete a practicum in their local area
Requirements
- After you are accepted by an agency for an internship, you will receive a permission code to enroll in GERO 4940/8940.
- A minimum of 156 work hours must be applied to the internship during the semester (approximately 10-12 hours per week).
- Work out an acceptable schedule with your agency supervisor.
- Provide your own transportation.
- Keep a log of hours and activities that will be turned throughout the semester to the practicum coordinator.
- Write a paper integrating your practicum experience with what you learned in the classroom.
*For practicum sites in the Lincoln area, please contact Bede Bolin (bbolin2@unl.edu)
Gerontology students also have the option to do an internship!
Gerontology Student Casey Wilkinson was featured on a recent edition of "Consider This..." and shared about her experience as an intern with the Alzheimer's Association!