The Aging Experience: Cultural, Social, & Economic Perspectives

2 Units

Course Description

Coming Summer 2026 - Learn How Community, Culture, and Policy Shape the Aging Experience

This course explores the cultural, social, and economic dimensions of aging. Students will examine demographic trends, cultural attitudes toward older adults, and the impact of social determinants of health. Topics include retirement and financial security, housing options, Medicare/Medicaid, and elder rights. The course prepares students to understand aging as a multifaceted experience shaped by community, culture, and policy.

Course Details

Number of Units: 2.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours

Who Should Attend: This continuing education course is intended for those who seek to understand aging as a multifaceted experience shaped by community, culture, and policy.

Technical Requirements

Course Options

Course Date Units Price

What You Will Learn

  • Describe demographic and cultural trends in aging
  • Explain how cultural attitudes and social determinants shape the experience of aging
  • Evaluate economic and healthcare options available to older adults
  • Identify challenges related to ageism, elder rights, and equity
  • Apply cultural, social, and economic perspectives to real-world elder care scenarios

Instructors

Professional development courses offered by the University of San Diego’s Division of Professional & Continuing Education are taught by faculty that possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience.

Why USD?

The Professional and Continuing Education program nurtures key partnerships on the local, national, and international level. The goal is to better serve working professionals who seek to enhance or build their careers and help achieve their highest value and potential. Contact us today to learn more.

Informative Stats and Facts

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Learning Method Information

Courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that allows you to structure your education to suit your schedule while keeping you on pace toward achieving your educational goals.

Online Fixed-Date

Online fixed-date courses are delivered virtually but follow a predetermined schedule, requiring students to complete assignments, participate in discussions, and take assessments by specific deadlines—much like a traditional classroom. The key difference is that while traditional courses are conducted in person at set times and locations, online fixed-date courses allow students to engage remotely, offering more flexibility in where they learn while preserving structure and accountability through fixed timelines.  (Note: Any scheduled Zoom sessions will be outlined on the class schedule.)  These courses have fixed start and finish dates, but as an online student you will have 24/7 online access to your classroom assignments, syllabus and course resources.  Instructor feedback is shared along with the graded assignments.

How is the learning structured? Each online fixed-date course is asynchronous, meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime, although you are required to complete the assignments by specific dates. The course is designed with learning modules where all of the content is grouped into weekly assignments. Each module covers one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:

• Module introduction that outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.

• Required readings (textbook, articles, journals, etc.) and presentations (audio and/or video).

• Assignments with due dates (which may include: written assignments, journal entries, research, blogs, etc.) based on the readings and presentations.

• Discussion forum where you answer prompts from the instructor and interact with your classmates.

• Module conclusion to review the topics and what you should have learned.

Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that culminates all of the topics covered in each of the learning modules. You’ll find that the design of the learning modules has a rhythm to help you manage your time in the course.

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Innovative Curriculum

Our in-demand courses provide cutting-edge education sought after by the healthcare industry.

Small Class Sizes

Small class sizes with real-world healthcare professionals are an important part of the USD experience.

Work-Life Balance

Our healthcare courses offer flexible course formats and class times to help you balance your work, USD studies, and family life.