Applied Gerontology, M.S.

Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Anne Glass

More people are living longer lives than ever before in history, and this change is happening regionally, nationally, and internationally. The Master of Science in Applied Gerontology prepares professionals to improve the well-being of older adults, as advocates, direct service providers, educators/trainers, administrators, marketers and product developers, program planners, evaluators, researchers, and more. Gerontologists may work with a variety of 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 36 credit hour program and prospective students will include those who have majored in fields such as psychology, sociology, social work, exercise science, recreation therapy, public health, biology, or nursing, as well as allied health professionals. The program is built on theoretical foundations, supported by the practical application of service-learning, and integrating teaching, mentoring, research, and service. Many courses are online. A primary goal of the program is to improve the well-being of 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. However, we also recognize that population aging is a global issue, and this perspective is represented in our program as well.

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 prepared for careers involving work with older adults through synthesizing coursework in physiology, health, psychology, and social sciences, as well as hands-on experience with older populations. Students will customize the degree program with 12 credit hours of electives to meet their needs and interests.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree earned from a regionally accredited college or university, completed before graduate study begins
Strong overall academic record with a 3.0 GPA or better.
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
Application and supplemental documents must be submitted by the published deadline

Degree Requirements (36 total credit hours)

Core requirements (24 credit hours)

GRN 501 - Aging and Society Credits: 3
GRN 523 - Physiology of Human Aging Credits: 3
GRN 540 - Current Issues in Gerontology Credits: 3
PSY 524 - The Psychology of Aging Credits: 3
GRN 590 - Practicum in Gerontology Credits: 3
GRN 597 - Master’s Project Proposal Development Credits: 3
GRN 598 - Final Project in Gerontology Credits: 3
Research Methods Course (3 credit hours required) - choose from:
GRN 503 - Investigative Inquiry in Gerontology Credits: 3
SOC 500 - Social Research Methods Credits: 3
SOC 502 - Evaluation, Methods and Policy Credits: 3
SOC 504 - Data Analysis Credits: 3
PLS 501 - Quantitative Methods Credits: 3
PLS 506 - Program Evaluation Credits: 3

Additional Requirements (12 credit hours)

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

Electives include, but are not limited to, the following:

GRN 518 - Women and Aging Credits: 3
GRN 522 - Family Health and Aging Credits: 3
GRN 524 - Literature of Aging Credits: 3
GRN 526 - Psychosocial Adjustment to Retirement and Later Life Credits: 3
GRN 546 - Health Care Access for the Older Adults Credits: 3
GRN 586 - Interprofessional Collaboration: Careers in Aging Credits: 3
GRN 595 - Special Topic Seminar in Gerontology Credits: 3
GRN 590 - Practicum in Gerontology Credits: 3
GRN 591 - Directed Independent Study Credits: 3
SWK 514 - Social Policy and Service Organizations Credits: 3
SWK 524 - Grant Writing and Program Development for the Human Services Credits: 3
SWK 530 - Social Work in the Health Care Setting Credits: 3
SWK 538 - Social Work Practice with Older Adults Credits: 3
PLS 500 - Managing Public and Nonprofit Organizations Credits: 3
PLS 502 - Public Human Resources Development and Administration Credits: 3
PLS 503 - Public Budgeting and Finance Administration Credits: 3
PLS 505 - Policy Analysis Credits: 3
PAR 505 - Bioethics and Aging Credits: 3
MBA 514 - Information Analysis and Management Credits: 3
MBA 562 - Management Credits: 3
MBA 508 - Accounting Credits: 3
MBA 530 - Economics Credits: 3
MBA 532 - Corporate Finance Credits: 3
MBA 542 - Marketing Credits: 3

Additional Information

Students who choose to take FOUR of these six courses, MBA 514 - Information Analysis and Management Credits: 3 , MBA 562 - Management Credits: 3 , MBA 508 - Accounting Credits: 3 , MBA 530 - Economics Credits: 3 , MBA 532 - Corporate Finance Credits: 3 , and MBA 542 - Marketing Credits: 3 , as their electives, can simultaneously earn the Post-Baccalaureate Business Foundations Certificate from the Cameron School of Business. Applicants must apply and be accepted into both programs, which requires two separate graduate applications – one application for the M.S. Applied Gerontology degree and another application for the Post-Baccalaureate Business Foundations certificate from Cameron School of Business.