Applied Gerontology, M.S.

Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Anne Glass

The Master of Science in Applied Gerontology prepares professionals to face the challenges of nationally and regionally aging populations. The program is built on theoretical foundations, supported by the practical application of service-learning, and integrating teaching, mentoring, research, and service. Graduates will use their knowledge of applied gerontology to affect the quality of life for older adults who are aging in place, or who are living in retirement communities or health care settings. Gerontologists may work with a variety or public and private organizations that provide services and goods needed by an aging population, or they may create their own new job opportunities in this fast growing field.

This is a 39 credit hour program and prospective students will include those who have majored in fields such as biology, psychology, sociology, social work, exercise science, recreation therapy, public health, or nursing, as well as allied health professionals. The primary goal of the program is to improve the quality of life for the region’s older adults through strengthening the size and skills of the workforce. UNCW is a regional university, with a mission statement that indicates a dedication to serve the population of southeastern North Carolina.

Through course work that is both multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary, the MS in applied gerontology will prepare graduates to be aware of all aspects of aging, which will help them both personally and professionally. Graduates will be able to realistically consider careers involving work with older adults through synthesizing coursework in physiology, health sciences, psychology, and social sciences, as well as hands-on experience with older populations. Students will customize the degree program; one option is through a concentration in Aging Services Administration.

Aging Services Administration Concentration - In collaboration with the AACSB accredited Cameron School of Business, the aging services administration concentration provides individuals with fundamental skills needed to create innovative services, program and businesses to meet the growing demands of the aging demographic. Students will earn a Business Foundations Certificate along with their M.S.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree earned from a regionally accredited college or university, completed before graduate study begins
Strong overall academic record with a “B” average or better. Prerequisite courses for the M.S. in Gerontology are: Introductory coursework in gerontology or aging, Introduction to Sociology, Introduction to Psychology, Statistics and Research Methodology, and Principles of Biology. Individuals with identified deficiencies in the prerequisite courses may be accepted provisionally provided there is a reasonable plan for remediation of deficiencies. Students who have had no academic coursework in gerontology may note that an introductory course is available at UNCW that can be taken prior to enrolling in any graduate gerontology course.
An application for graduation admission
Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate)
An essay on the applicant’s goals in pursuing the master’s
Three recommendations by individuals in academically or professionally related fields
Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Application and supplemental documents must be submitted by the published deadline

Degree Requirements (39 total credit hours)

Core requirements (27 credit hours)

GRN 501 - Aging and Society Credits: 3
GRN 503 - Investigative Inquiry in Gerontology Credits: 3 or
GRN 597 - Master’s Project Proposal Development Credits: 3
GRN 523 - Physiology of Human Aging Credits: 3
GRN 540 - Current Issues in Gerontology Credits: 3
GRN 586 - Interprofessional Collaboration: Careers in Aging Credits: 3
GRN 590 - Practicum in Gerontology Credits: 3 (6 credit hours required)
GRN 598 - Final Project in Gerontology Credits: 3
PSY 524 - The Psychology of Aging Credits: 3

Concentrations (12 credit hours)

Generalist Gerontologist

All students pursuing the Generalist Gerontologist concentration must complete 12 credit hours of electives approved by the Gerontology Program Coordinator.

Aging Services Administration

All students pursuing the Aging Services Administration concentration must complete the following to earn a Business Foundations Certification from Cameron School of Business.

BUS 512 - Information Systems & Technology Credits: 2
BUS 559 - Management Foundations Credits: 2
BUS 505 - Financial Accounting Credits: 2
BUS 525 - Principles of MicroEconomics Credits: 2
BUS 535 - Corporate Financial Management Credits: 2
BUS 540 - Marketing Decision Marking I Credits: 2

Additional Information

The Aging Services Administration concentration credits also allow students to earn the Post-Baccalaureate Business Foundations Certificate simultaneously. Applicants must apply and be accepted into both programs, which requires two separate graduate applications.