.jpg)
University of Justice – Bachelor of Science in Gerontology Justice (Geriatric Population)
4-Year Degree Plan (8 Semesters) with 4 Specialized Electives
At the University of Justice, we believe that a holistic approach to justice includes protecting the rights, dignity, and quality of life of vulnerable populations—especially adults facing aging, disability, or end-of-life decisions. Our innovative Bachelor of Science in Justice and Human Well-Being offers a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum that bridges law, ethics, social services, and healthcare. This four-year plan is designed for students passionate about advocacy, policy, and compassionate care for adults across the lifespan.
The program includes 120 credit hours over eight semesters, with four specialized JUST (Justice Studies) elective courses focusing on adult care, geriatrics, palliative ethics, legal frameworks in aging, and court processes for vulnerable adults. Each course is carefully aligned with transfer equivalencies at the University of Houston (UH) to ensure seamless academic continuity.
Admissions Requirements & Eligibility
Minimum GPA: 2.75
Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen (required for military commission).
Physical Standards: Must meet the baseline fitness requirements for the respective military branch.
Grade Thresholds: All lower-division prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
Application Materials: Official transcripts, a completed USJ application and two formal letters of reference (preferably from criminal justice, legal, science instructors or employers).
Interview: A personal interview with program faculty is required to assess professional alignment and communication skills.
Required Prerequisites:
They are also combined with your Degree plan.
* BIOL 1306: Biology for Science Majors I & BIOL 1106: Biology for Science Majors Lab I
* BIOL 1307: Biology for Science Majors II & BIOL 1107: Biology for Science Majors Lab II
* ENGL 1301: First Year Writing I
* ENGL 1302: First Year Writing II
*CHEM 1311: Chemistry I & CHEM 1111: Chemistry I Lab
* CHEM 1312: Chemistry II & CHEM 1112: Chemistry II Lab
* CHEM 2323: Organic Chemistry I & *CHEM 2123: Organic Chemistry I Lab
* PHYS 1301: General Physics I & PHYS 1101: General Physics I Lab
* PHYS 1302: General Physics II & PHYS 1102: General Physics II Lab
* Core: HIST 1377-US History to 1877
BCHS 3304: Biochemistry*
CHEM 2325: Organic Chemistry II & CHEM 2125: Organic Chemistry II Lab
MATH 1342 or MATH 3339 or other Statistics*
Year 1: Foundations of Justice and Social Systems
Semester 1 (15 credits)
JUST 1101: Introduction to Justice and Human Rights (3 cr)
Explores foundational principles of justice, human rights, and social equity. Examines historical movements and international frameworks shaping modern justice systems.
UH Transfer Equivalency: POLS 2310 – Introduction to Political Theory
JUST 1201: Ethics in Public Service (3 cr)
Introduces ethical decision-making in social, legal, and healthcare contexts. Case-based learning on dilemmas in caregiving and justice delivery.
UH Transfer Equivalency: PHIL 2320 – Ethics
ENGL 1301: Academic Writing I (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: ENGL 1303 – Composition and Rhetoric I
MATH 1314: College Algebra (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: MATH 1310 – College Algebra
PSYC 1301: Introduction to Psychology (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: PSYC 1300 – Introduction to Psychology
Semester 2 (15 credits)
JUST 1102: Social Justice and Vulnerable Populations (3 cr)
Analyzes systemic barriers faced by marginalized groups, including older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income seniors.
UH Transfer Equivalency: SOCI 2319 – Social Inequality
JUST 1301: Introduction to Law and Legal Systems (3 cr)
Overview of U.S. legal institutions, civil and criminal law, and the role of courts in protecting individual rights.
UH Transfer Equivalency: POLS 2351 – Law and Society
ENGL 1302: Academic Writing II (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: ENGL 1304 – Composition and Rhetoric II
BIOL 1306: Biology for Non-Science Majors (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: BIOL 1310 – Concepts in Biology
HIST 1302: U.S. History Since 1865 (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: HIST 1378 – United States History Survey II
Year 2: Justice in Health and Aging Contexts
Semester 3 (15 credits)
JUST 2310: Justice in Healthcare Systems (3 cr)
Examines access, equity, and ethics in healthcare. Focus on disparities in treatment and decision-making for aging populations.
UH Transfer Equivalency: HLT 2305 – Introduction to Health Care Systems
JUST 2401: Gerontology and the Aging Society (3 cr)
Multidisciplinary study of biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging in modern society.
UH Transfer Equivalency: SOCW 3362 – Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
JUST 2201: Disability Rights and Legal Advocacy (3 cr)
In-depth exploration of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504, and legal tools for empowering disabled adults.
UH Transfer Equivalency: DIS 3301 – Disability Studies: Rights and Justice
SOCI 2301: Introduction to Sociology (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: SOCI 1300 – Introduction to Sociology
COSC 1301: Introduction to Computing (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: COSC 1301 – Introduction to Computing
Semester 4 (15 credits)
JUST 2320: Law and Aging: Retirement, Pensions, and Social Security (3 cr)
Legal and financial dimensions of retirement, including entitlement programs, estate planning, and fraud protection for seniors.
UH Transfer Equivalency: PAPP 3301 – Social Policy and Public Service
JUST 2501: Psychology of Aging and Cognitive Decline (3 cr)
Understanding dementia, Alzheimer’s, and mental health in later life. Emphasis on person-centered care and informed consent.
UH Transfer Equivalency: PSYC 3332 – Psychology of Aging
ECON 2301: Principles of Macroeconomics (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: ECON 2304 – Introduction to Macroeconomics
PHIL 2301: Logic and Critical Reasoning (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: PHIL 2321 – Logic and Critical Thinking
Elective (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: Varies by course
Year 3: Specialized Justice Applications
Semester 5 (15 credits)
JUST 3410: Palliative Care and Justice in End-of-Life Decisions (3 cr)
Ethical, legal, and emotional dimensions of palliative care. Covers advance directives, physician-assisted dying (where legal), and family advocacy.
UH Transfer Equivalency: NURS 3325 – Professional Nursing and Health Care Systems
JUST 3210: Adult Guardianship and Court Processes (3 cr)
Analyzes court-supervised guardianships, conservatorships, and alternatives like power of attorney and supported decision-making.
UH Transfer Equivalency: POLS 3353 – Judicial Process
JUST 3101: Health Law and Patient Autonomy (3 cr)
Legal rights to treatment refusal, informed consent, and medical decision-making capacity in adult populations.
UH Transfer Equivalency: HLTH 3300 – Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care
STAT 2301: Applied Statistics for Justice Research (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: STAT 2311 – Elementary Statistical Methods
Elective (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: Varies by course
Semester 6 (15 credits)
JUST 3350: Elder Abuse: Recognition, Reporting, and Justice Intervention (3 cr)
Examines financial, physical, and emotional abuse of older adults. Legal responsibilities of professionals and mandated reporting protocols.
UH Transfer Equivalency: CRIM 3350 – Victimology
JUST 3601: Retirement Communities and Housing Rights (3 cr)
Legal standards in senior living, fair housing laws, and advocacy for accessible, safe independent living.
UH Transfer Equivalency: URPN 3310 – Housing and Community Development
JUST 3220: Disability, Employment, and Civil Rights (3 cr)
Focus on workplace accommodations, discrimination litigation, and the role of the EEOC and courts.
UH Transfer Equivalency: BUSI 3301 – Business Law I
COMM 3301: Interpersonal Communication in Crisis Settings (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: COMM 3300 – Communication in Interpersonal Relationships
Elective (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: Varies by course
Year 4: Advanced Practice and Field Integration
Semester 7 (15 credits)
JUST 4110: End-of-Life Consent and Legal Documentation (3 cr)
In-depth study of advance healthcare directives, POLST forms, living wills, and court validation of end-of-life wishes.
UH Transfer Equivalency: NURS 4350 – Healthcare Policy and Ethics
JUST 4220: Justice Advocacy in Family and Probate Courts (3 cr)
Practical understanding of probate law, wills, trusts, elder law, and representing vulnerable clients in court.
UH Transfer Equivalency: POLS 4378 – Law and Policy
JUST 4301: Policy Reform in Senior and Disability Services (3 cr)
Students develop legislative proposals addressing gaps in care, access, and dignity for older adults and people with disabilities.
UH Transfer Equivalency: PAPP 4361 – Social Policy Analysis
Capstone Proposal & Research Methods (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: SOCW 4392 – Social Work Research I
Elective (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: Varies by course
Semester 8 (15 credits)
JUST 4501: Field Practicum in Justice and Adult Care (6 cr)
Supervised internship in elder law clinics, hospice organizations, disability rights nonprofits, or probate courts.
UH Transfer Equivalency: SOCW 4689 – Field Practicum in Social Work
JUST 4900: Capstone Seminar: Designing Justice-Centered Care Systems (3 cr)
Students present comprehensive policy or program designs to improve care and justice for aging and disabled populations.
UH Transfer Equivalency: POLS 4398 – Senior Seminar in Political Science
Elective (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: Varies by course
Elective (3 cr)
UH Transfer Equivalency: Varies by course
Key Features of the Program
Specialized Justice Electives: Four JUST courses directly address adult care, end-of-life advocacy, and legal empowerment—areas where demand for informed professionals is growing.
Seamless Transfers: Every core JUST course has a clear UH transfer equivalency, ensuring students can transition easily to UH for graduate studies or dual-degree pursuits.
Interdisciplinary Approach: Combines law, ethics, healthcare, and social science to prepare graduates for careers in elder law, hospice advocacy, policy analysis, or human rights organizations.
Real-World Impact: Field practicum and capstone projects equip students to advocate for dignity, autonomy, and justice in aging and disability communities.
Career Paths for Graduates
Elder Law Paralegal
Patient Advocate in Healthcare Systems
Policy Analyst for Aging Services
Disability Rights Coordinator
Hospice and Palliative Care Counselor
Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Vulnerable Adults
Nonprofit Program Director in Senior Services
Academic Fresh Start
The Academic Fresh Start program at the University of Justice offers a valuable opportunity for returning students to reset their collegiate records by disregarding past academic performance that may hinder their current goals. By electing this provision, candidates benefit from an improved cumulative grade point average (GPA) that exclusively reflects their new academic efforts, an elimination of previous low-performing credits from institutional calculations, and a clean slate that fosters renewed confidence and eligibility for academic standing. While these former credits and grades are excluded from GPA requirements, applicants should be mindful that they cannot use these specific courses to fulfill new program prerequisites, ensuring that their current foundation is built upon fresh, relevant knowledge.
At the University of Justice, we don’t just study law—we build systems of dignity. Join us in shaping a future where justice extends to every stage of life.