Empower Older Adults and Their Families
Consider pursuing a career in geropsychology. Explore the geropsychology degree and certificate programs at GCU!
Written By
GCE Editorial Team
Consider pursuing a career in geropsychology. Explore the geropsychology degree and certificate programs at GCU!
Speak with a University Counselor today.
Approved and verified accurate by the Assistant Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences on Nov. 13, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
Geropsychology is a subfield of psychology focused on understanding and meeting the mental health needs of older adults and their families, who face challenges from illness to bereavement to poverty and beyond.
At Grand Canyon University, you can prepare to pursue a career dedicated to uplifting and supporting older adults and their families. If you hold a bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible to apply to the Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in GeroPsychology degree program. In faith-integrated courses, you can explore best practices in promoting healthy aging and helping families cope with the cognitive and psychosocial changes that often affect older adults.
If you already hold a master’s degree in psychology and would like to further explore geropsychology, you may wish to consider GCU’s Graduate Certificate of Completion in GeroPsychology. This certificate program offers a direct focus on the concerns and needs of the aging population and can provide opportunities to develop specialized skills. You’ll explore topics such as the biological, psychological, spiritual and emotional changes associated with the aging process, as well as the social policies and systems that can affect aging populations.
Geropsychology is the type of psychology that deals with the mental health of seniors. Professionals who work within this specialty area strive to develop a better understanding of the needs and challenges that older people and their families face.
Some of the specialized topics that fall within the scope of geropsychology include:(See disclaimer 2)
As a subfield, geropsychology may involve working one-on-one with older adults. It can also involve working with the families of clients, as families are often heavily involved with caregiving activities for older adults. The body of knowledge in the field can contribute to the development of more effective and accessible aging services, as well as community health promotion initiatives.
Geropsychology careers focus on meeting the psychological, emotional, functional and cognitive needs of older adults and their family caregivers. Generally, this specialized niche of psychology may work with adults who are 65 years and older.
A geropsychologist may also work with non-psychologist staff members at various facilities, such as dementia care facilities. These staff members can benefit from specialized training in meeting the unique needs of diverse older adults.(See disclaimer 3)
Care settings for geropsychologists can include a broad mix of outpatient and inpatient settings.(See disclaimer 2) In addition to working in dementia care facilities or with patients and their families out of private practices, geropsychologists might work with the patient population at nursing homes and other assisted living settings.(See disclaimer 3) Some geropsychologists work at hospitals, including Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals, while others work in research settings or in academia.(See disclaimer 4)
Geropsychologists support older adults as they work through complex challenges. In fact, compared to all other age groups in the U.S., older adults have the highest rate of suicide.(See disclaimer 1)
There are many stressors and life challenges that can contribute to poor mental health in older adults, including:(See disclaimer 1,2,3)
Geropsychologists not only help older adults cope with all of these challenges; they also support their patients' family members. As individuals grow older, family roles can change, and this adjustment isn't always easy. Changing roles plus the demands of family caregiving can lead to relationship stress.(See disclaimer 5)
Geropsychology is a psychology subfield that involves the application of psychological techniques and principles to addressing the mental health concerns of older adults. The focus is on empowering seniors and their families to overcome common problems, optimize well-being and achieve a good quality of life despite the challenges of aging. Older adults face many challenges, ranging from bereavement to complex medical conditions,(See disclaimer 1) and they can benefit from compassionate care.
What is a geropsychologist, and what do these professionals do? If you're interested in pursuing a career in the field, continue reading for a closer look at the important work of geropsychologists. Start with exploring the general geropsychology definition and then consider career possibilities.
What is a geropsychology career like? Within this specialized niche of psychology, professionals can choose from different job responsibilities and work settings. For example, you might choose to pursue a geropsychology career as a psychologist who works directly with patients and their families. Alternatively, you might decide to pursue a career in academia as a postsecondary educator who teaches the next generation of geropsychologists.
As a postsecondary psychology teacher who specializes in geropsychology, you would primarily teach college students, but you might also conduct your own original research.
Some of the other job responsibilities of a postsecondary educator typically include:
If you aspire to become a psychology professor at a college or university, you will need at least a master's degree or, more likely, a PhD or other doctorate. You may also need some work experience in the geropsychology field.
Additionally, it's helpful to have the following competencies:(See disclaimer 6)
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth rate for postsecondary teachers in all fields is expected to be 7% from 2024 through 2034, much faster than average, accounting for an anticipated increase of about 96,700 new jobs in the field.(See disclaimer 7 )As of May 2024, the median annual salary for all types of postsecondary educators was $83,980.(See disclaimer 8)
As a psychologist who specializes in the geropsychology subfield, you might work across a variety of settings, helping older adults and their families navigate various challenges. Psychologists assess and diagnose patients, and develop and implement treatment plans. You may also help your patients connect to needed resources, such as social services or other healthcare resources. Like postsecondary educators, psychologists may also conduct their own original research focusing on their niche.
Clinical and counseling psychologists typically need a doctoral degree, along with an internship or postdoctoral experience and licensure. Licensure requirements vary by state.
In addition, the following competencies can be helpful:(See disclaimer 9)
According to the BLS, the job growth rate for all types of psychologists from 2024 through 2034 is expected to be 6%, faster than average, indicating a need for about 11,800 new professionals in the field.(See disclaimer 10) As of May 2024, the median annual salary for psychologists in all subfields was $94,310.(See disclaimer 11)
