M.S. in Gerontology

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

This degree program is designed to prepare graduate students to pursue careers which will help older adults make better decisions about their own lives. The education and practical skills gained through this degree program will provide students with an interdisciplinary base of knowledge and experience which will increase their effectiveness in assisting older adults.

Students graduating from this program will have obtained a competency in gerontology with a subspecialty in either Administration of Services for the Aging or Counseling of the Aging. These subspecialties, or tracks, provide students with an opportunity to pursue a program of study that is reflective of their individual needs and interests, as well as the needs and interests of older adults.

Students opting for a concentration in administration are expected to gain the necessary knowledge and skills related to management, public policy, social and health service planning, program development and evaluation of services for the aging.

Students concentrating in the counseling subspecialty are expected to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to provide direct therapeutic services to older adults. This would include vocational and health counseling, individual and family counseling and preretirement planning.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a fully accredited college or university with a minimum 2.5 grade-point average.
1. Admission to the Administration of Services for the Aging subspecialty requires experience or equivalent in administration and/or business and direct services.
2. Admission to the Counseling of the Aging subspecialty requires a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral science or mental health discipline.
An interview with the Program Director or representative.
One letter of recommendation from recent employers or undergraduate professors.
Students with less than a 2.5 grade-point average must meet with the Graduate Program Director to determine additional entrance requirements.

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 39

Core Courses - Semester Hours: 15

Required for students in either track

ANTH 215 - Introduction to Gerontology: Aging in American Life Credits: 3 s.h.
APS 244 - Aging, Public Policy and the Law Credits: 3 s.h.
PSY 263 - Current Theory and Research in Psychology of Aging Credits: 3 s.h.
RES 258 - Understanding Research Methodology Credits: 3 s.h.

Track I: Administration of Services for the Aging

Required Courses - Semester Hours: 12

Experienced candidates may substitute 6 s.h. of electives.

GBUS 220 - Applied Business Principles and Aging Credits: 3 s.h.

Internships - Semester Hours: 6 s.h.

APS 294 - Administrative Internship Credits: 3 s.h.
and
APS 295 - Administrative Internship Credits: 3 s.h.
or

Electives - Semester Hours: 12

6 semester hours free electives; 6 semester hours from the following:

APS 245 - Legal Aspects of Managing Healthcare Programs for the Aging Credits: 3 s.h.
MKT 250 - Healthcare Marketing Credits: 3 s.h.
RES 387 - Skills in Funding and Proposal Development: Government, Foundation and Corporate Credits: 3 s.h.

Master’s Essay - Semester Hours: 3

APS 251 - Readings in Administration Credits: 3 s.h.
MHAE 251 - Special Readings Seminar Credits: 1-3 s.h.

Internship - Semester Hours: 6 s.h.

Track II: Counseling of the Aging

Required Courses - Semester Hours: 15

Experienced candidates may substitute 6 s.h. of electives.

APS 294 - Administrative Internship Credits: 3 s.h.
COUN 203 - Introduction to Counseling Credits: 3 s.h.
COUN 237 - Counseling Families of the Elderly Credits: 3 s.h.
COUN 244 - Interviewing and Therapeutic Counseling with the Aging Credits: 3 s.h.
COUN 295 - Internship: Counseling Credits: 3 s.h.

Electives - Semester Hours: 9

3 semester hours free electives, 6 semester hours from the following:

CAT 249 - Therapeutic Art for the Elderly Credits: 3 s.h.
COUN 225 - Counseling for Death, Dying and Bereavement Credits: 3 s.h.
CRSR 251 - Readings Credits: 2-3 s.h.
PSY 264 - Aging and Human Behavior Credits: 3 s.h.
PSY 265 - Aging and Personality Credits: 3 s.h.

Free Electives

Free electives options regardless of specialization, under advisement:

ANTH 214 - Aging in Cross-Cultural Perspective Credits: 3 s.h.
GRON 248 - Lifelong Learning for the Aging Credits: 3 s.h.
GRON 280-9, A-Z - Workshops Credits: 1-3 s.h.
RES 259 - Introduction to Statistical Methods in Educational Research Credits: 3 s.h.
RES 259L - Computer Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h.
RES 260 - Inferential Statistics in Educational Research Credits: 3 s.h.
RES 260L - Computer Laboratory Credits: 1 s.h.

Graduation Requirements

The completion of 39 semester hours of graduate study in addition to any specified prerequisites; satisfactory completion of course work; and successful completion of a comprehensive examination or departmentally authorized equivalent. (No degree credit.) A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in overall graduate course work.

The Master of Science degree may be completed on a part or full-time basis. Courses are normally offered during the fall and spring semesters, with special seminars or workshops offered during the January or Summer sessions.

Search