Gerontology and Health Care Interdisciplinary Program
Kaohsiung Medical University
To address the challenges of rapid population aging and the increasing demand for professional elderly care, Kaohsiung Medical University has established the Gerontology and Health Care Interdisciplinary Program—the university’s first cross-college academic initiative in this field. This program aims to cultivate interdisciplinary talents with comprehensive knowledge and practical competencies in aging and health care, empowering students to develop a secondary specialization and enhancing their overall employability and capacity for interprofessional collaboration.
Program Highlights
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Collaborative Curriculum Design:
Jointly offered by 11 departments, including Medical Sociology and Social Work, Physical Therapy, Nursing, and Occupational Therapy, integrating diverse disciplinary perspectives. -
Rich and Specialized Course Offerings:
Over 30 courses focused on gerontology and elderly care, encompassing both theoretical foundations and practical applications. -
Career-Oriented Training:
Designed to equip students with the professional skills required for the growing elder care workforce, while fostering teamwork and cross-sectoral cooperation.
Program Structure and Credit Requirements
To complete the program, students must fulfill a minimum of 16 credits, including:
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Core Courses (at least 6 credits):
Courses focus on foundational knowledge and skills in aging, health care, and social work, primarily offered by the Department of Medical Sociology and Social Work and related departments. -
Elective Courses (at least 8 credits):
A wide array of interdisciplinary electives are available across departments, such as elderly rehabilitation, dementia care, long-term care systems, and community-based interventions. -
General Education Courses (at least 2 credits):
Courses in philosophy, ethics, or related fields to deepen students’ understanding of humanistic and moral dimensions in elder care.
Students from all undergraduate programs at KMU are eligible to enroll. Completion of the program will be recognized as a secondary specialization (minor or certificate) and will appear on the official transcript.