Social Gerontology

Social gerontology studies aging, the needs of older adults, and the social, psychological, and societal aspects of later stages of life. Population aging raises questions about quality of life, independence, social inclusion, intergenerational cooperation, and the organization of support, which is why the field requires the integration of knowledge from various disciplines.

At Alma Mater Europaea University, we offer a three-year professional higher education Social Gerontology study program, which lasts six semesters and comprises 180 ECTS credits. The program is offered as full-time and part-time study in Maribor, Koper, and Ljubljana, and lectures can also be attended online. After successfully completing all requirements, the graduate obtains the professional title of graduate social gerontologist.

What does social gerontology study?

Social gerontology does not treat aging solely as a biological process. It also focuses on changes in family relationships, the social environment, health, lifestyle habits, economic status, and the inclusion of older adults in the community.

Students learn about the factors that affect quality of life in old age, as well as different ways of supporting individuals and their loved ones. Important topics include communication, social care, rehabilitation, service organization, intergenerational relations, and maintaining the activity of older adults.

The study of social gerontology therefore connects an understanding of the individual with an understanding of institutions, services, and broader social processes related to population aging.

The study of social gerontology connects various professional fields

The curriculum is interdisciplinary. In the first year, students acquire fundamental knowledge about the psychological, sociological, and andragogical factors of aging and become familiar with the basics of social gerontology, communication, organization, and social management.

The program content includes several interconnected areas:

• aging and society, where students learn about the psychological, sociological, demographic, and family aspects of aging;
• health and rehabilitation, including health, illnesses, holistic rehabilitation, and palliative care;
• communication and working with people, where intergenerational communication, teamwork, and supervision are important;
• organization and management, which include social management, organizational behavior, project work, and organizational culture;
• social and community work, related to approaches to working with older adults, community support, and leisure-time organization;
• research and information skills, which prepare students for the professional collection, evaluation, and use of data.

The program also includes the economic, legal, and ethical aspects of aging, giving the student a broader view of the factors that affect the position of older adults in society.

Practical training in all three years

Practical training is an important part of the Social Gerontology study program, as it enables direct insight into work in institutions and other environments related to older adults. Practical training is included in all three years:

in the 1st year, the student completes 40 hours of practical training;

in the 2nd year, 120 hours of practical training;

in the 3rd year, 160 hours of practical training.

The practical training is organized by the university. It takes place in various institutions across Slovenia, and depending on the organization of the training, the student may choose the institution in which they will complete their placement.

During practical work, the student becomes familiar with work organization, user needs, cooperation among different professions, and ways of planning support for older adults. If the student is already employed and has relevant professional experience, they may apply for recognition of practical training under the university’s conditions.

Practical training thus makes it possible to connect theory with the actual professional environment and to develop communication, organizational, and other competencies important for working with older adults.

Full-time and part-time study with hybrid lecture attendance

Social gerontology is offered as full-time and part-time study. Lectures are held in person, and at the same time they can also be attended online via the Zoom application. Lectures are recorded, so the student can also watch the recording later in the Moodle online classroom. Recordings remain accessible throughout the academic year.

For full-time students, a specific structure of mandatory attendance applies. At least 60% of lectures must be attended live on site, while the remaining 40% may be attended online or via recordings. When attending remotely, students must submit a lecture summary within the prescribed deadline. Fulfillment of attendance obligations is also linked to the conditions for taking the exam.

For part-time students, the mandatory allocation of 60% in-person attendance and 40% online does not apply. They may attend lectures online or via recordings and complete the required obligations in the online learning environment.

Mandatory practical classes and different attendance requirements for full-time and part-time students

Practical classes in the Social Gerontology study program are mandatory and are intended for the active application of knowledge, practical work, case discussion, and cooperation among students.

Full-time students must have 100% attendance in practical classes, while part-time students must attend at least 50% of all practical classes in each individual course. Meeting the required share of attendance is a condition for taking the exam.

As a rule, practical classes take place on site, are not recorded, and cannot be attended online.

Exams are held in person with the possibility of another location

Exams in the Social Gerontology program are held in person. Courses generally follow one another in sequence, so the first exam date is organized after the lectures and practical classes for an individual course have been completed.

The student may also arrange to take the exam at another Alma Mater location. The specific possibility depends on the organization of the individual exam date or agreement with the course provider.

This way of organizing studies enables the continuous completion of obligations and reduces the accumulation of a larger number of exams within a single exam period.

Collaborative learning connects students, mentors, and the practical environment

The study of social gerontology is not based solely on individual learning. Part of the study process includes collaborative forms of work that enable students to exchange perspectives and connect different types of professional knowledge.

Collaborative learning may be carried out through:

• group projects and seminar assignments, in which students jointly address a selected professional issue;
• team research work, which develops the ability to plan, divide tasks, and present results with аргументation;
• close cooperation with mentors in study, research, and practical obligations;
• connection with practice and employers, especially within practical training and project work;
• interdisciplinary cooperation, in which knowledge from social gerontology, healthcare, psychology, sociology, management, and other fields is connected.

A tutoring system is also available to students. It includes student tutors and teacher tutors, and Alma Mater also provides the support of an online tutor in organizing studies via web platforms.

What distinguishes study programs among individual higher education institutions?

Even when programs at different higher education institutions have a similar or identical title, their content and organization may differ considerably. Therefore, when comparing them, it makes sense to examine more than just the program name.

Differences may be evident primarily in:

the curriculum and content orientation, since mandatory and elective courses, graduate competencies, and research, applied, or international emphases differ;

the mode of delivery, which includes the organization of lectures, possibilities for hybrid or online attendance, group size, the scope of practical training, and the distribution of obligations;

the pedagogical approach, where the emphasis on research work, individual mentoring, links with practice, and international cooperation may differ;

elective options, such as elective courses, international exchanges, projects, and cooperation with employers;

the organization of studies, which includes progression requirements, exam dates, administrative procedures, and student support.

For Alma Mater programs, the interdisciplinary and applied orientation is also important, as the university delivers study programs in healthcare, social sciences, engineering, humanities, and other disciplines.

The quality of studies is also monitored by collecting the opinions of students, graduates, employers, and other stakeholders. The Committee for Academic Affairs monitors the implementation of study programs and may propose their changes and amendments.

Accreditation, European comparability, and the quality system

Social gerontology is an accredited first-cycle professional higher education study program. It lasts three years, comprises 180 ECTS, and is placed at the first Bologna cycle. The program is accredited in the Slovenian higher education system by NAKVIS.

The use of the ECTS system and the Bologna structure enables the comparability of the level and scope of studies with study programs in the European Higher Education Area. This does not mean that all European programs have the same curriculum, but rather that there is a common framework for understanding the level and scope of studies.

Alma Mater Europaea University has established a quality management system according to the international standard ISO 9001:2015. Alma Mater also has the international ECBE accreditation, but this applies to the undergraduate program Management of Business Systems and the master’s program European Business Studies, not directly to the Social Gerontology program. NAKVIS is a national, not an international, accreditation.

What competencies are developed by the study of social gerontology?

Students learn to identify the needs of older adults, understand the factors that affect their quality of life, and participate in planning support services and activities. An important emphasis is also placed on social inclusion and cooperation among different generations.

The study of social gerontology primarily develops the abilities to:

• understand the psychological, social, and societal aspects of aging;
• communicate professionally with older adults, their loved ones, and other professionals;
• participate in planning programs and services for older adults;
• recognize the importance of maintaining activity and independence;
• understand the organization of social and support services;
• participate in projects in the field of quality aging and intergenerational connection;
• use basic research work in addressing issues related to aging.

Where can graduates use the knowledge they have acquired?

Knowledge in the field of social gerontology is useful in environments that provide services and programs for older adults. Options include homes for the elderly, special social care institutions, centers for social work, health centers, hospital nursing departments, health resorts, and therapeutic-rehabilitation centers.

The specific job position and scope of tasks always depend on the employer’s requirements, applicable regulations, and the individual’s additional knowledge and experience. Social gerontology is an interdisciplinary field, so graduates primarily apply the knowledge they have acquired where it is necessary to understand the needs of older adults and connect the social, organizational, and support aspects of work.

Who is the Social Gerontology study program intended for?

The study of social gerontology is suitable for candidates interested in aging, working with people, intergenerational relationships, social care, the organization of support services, and the quality of life of older adults.

Important qualities include communication skills, a respectful attitude toward the individual, responsibility, and a willingness to cooperate with different professions. The program connects theoretical knowledge, practical training, research work, and cooperation with people in various professional environments.

Social gerontology thus enables a systematic understanding of aging and the concrete needs of older adults. With an interdisciplinary curriculum, practical training, and various forms of collaborative learning, the student gains a foundation for further professional development in fields related to quality aging.

1. How long does the Social Gerontology study program last, and what title do I obtain?

The undergraduate Social Gerontology study program lasts three years or six semesters and comprises 180 ECTS. After successfully completing all study requirements, the graduate obtains the professional title of graduate social gerontologist.

2. How much practical training is included in the Social Gerontology study program?

Practical training takes place in all three years. In the first year, the student completes 40 hours of practical training, in the second 120 hours, and in the third 160 hours of practical training. In this way, during their studies the student becomes acquainted with concrete work in environments related to older adults and connects theoretical knowledge with practice.

3. Who organizes the practical training?

Practical training in the Social Gerontology study program is organized by the university. It takes place in various institutes and institutions where the student can become familiar with working with older adults and the organization of social, healthcare, and other support services. Depending on the organization of the placement, the student may choose the institution where they wish to complete it.

4. How is the Social Gerontology study program delivered?

The program is offered as full-time and part-time study. Lectures are held in person, but they can also be attended online. Since lectures are recorded, the student can also watch the recording later in Moodle. Practical classes and practical training involve more direct participation and have specific rules regarding mandatory attendance.

5. How much lecture attendance is mandatory for full-time and part-time students?

Full-time students must attend 60% of lectures live on site, while the remaining 40% may be attended online or via recordings, provided the required obligations are fulfilled. This arrangement does not apply to part-time students, so they may attend lectures online or via recordings and complete the required obligations in the online learning environment.

6. Are practical classes in the Social Gerontology study program mandatory?

Yes. For full-time students, 100% attendance in practical classes is required, while for part-time students at least 50% attendance in the practical classes of each individual course is required. Fulfillment of the required extent of attendance is a condition for taking the exam. Practical classes generally take place on site and are not recorded.

7. How are exams conducted, and can I take them at another location?

Exams in the Social Gerontology study program are held in person. If, for justified organizational reasons, a student wishes to take an exam at another Alma Mater location, it is possible to arrange another location. The specific option must be checked for each individual exam date.

8. What is the tuition fee for the part-time Social Gerontology study program?

According to the price list for the 2026/27 academic year, the tuition fee for the part-time Social Gerontology study program is EUR 3,000 in the first year, and EUR 2,900 per year in the second and third years. Full-time study is currently listed as free of charge.

9. Is the Social Gerontology program accredited and comparable to European programs?

Yes. Social gerontology is an accredited first-cycle professional higher education program comprising 180 ECTS. It is placed within the Bologna system, so its level and scope of study are comparable to first-cycle higher education programs in the European Higher Education Area. Individual curricula and content orientations may differ between institutions.

10. How does studying at Alma Mater differ from similar programs at other institutions?

Differences between programs at individual higher education institutions may lie in the curriculum, elective content, practical training, mode of delivery, distribution of obligations, pedagogical approach, and opportunities for cooperation with mentors and employers. At Alma Mater, there is also an emphasis on interdisciplinarity and linking theoretical knowledge with applied and practical work. When comparing programs, it therefore makes sense to examine the actual curriculum and the organization of studies, not just the program title.

11. What group and collaborative learning opportunities does the program offer?

Students participate in group projects and seminar assignments, team research work, and other forms of cooperation. The study of social gerontology also includes cooperation with mentors, connections with practical environments and employers, and interdisciplinary work that links knowledge from different professional fields.

12. How does Alma Mater monitor and improve the quality of study programs?

Quality is also monitored by collecting feedback from students, graduates, employers, and other stakeholders. The Committee for Academic Affairs monitors the quality of teaching work and may propose initiatives for the renewal and supplementation of study programs. In this way, the content and delivery of studies are adapted to professional development and the needs of the environment.

13. Does Alma Mater have an ISO standard and international accreditations?

Yes. Alma Mater Europaea University has established a quality management system according to the international standard ISO 9001:2015. The Social Gerontology study program is nationally accredited within the NAKVIS system. NAKVIS is not an international accreditation. Alma Mater holds the international ECBE accreditation for Management of Business Systems and European Business Studies.

14. Will I receive a diploma after successfully completing the study program?

Yes. After successfully completing all obligations of the Social Gerontology study program, the graduate obtains the appropriate professional title and a diploma certificate. The issuance of the diploma certificate and diploma supplement is included in the cost of studies or enrollment in accordance with the current Alma Mater price list.

15. Will I still have access to Alma Mater study materials after completing my studies?

No. After completing the study program or graduating, the student loses study access to Alma Mater materials. It is therefore recommended that they properly organize the materials they are allowed to keep for their own study needs before completing their studies.

16. Where can a graduate social gerontologist find employment?

Graduates can use the knowledge they have acquired in homes for the elderly, special social care institutions, centers for social work, health centers, hospital nursing departments, health resorts, and therapeutic-rehabilitation centers. Specific tasks and employment conditions depend on the individual position, additional competencies, and the applicable professional and legal requirements.