Applied Gerontology, M.S.

Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Tina K. Newsham

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, recreation and tourism, 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 health, psychology, and social sciences, as well as hands-on experience with older populations. Students will customize the degree program with 9 to 12 credit hours of electives to meet their needs and interests.

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the graduate certificate program must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in this country or its equivalent in a foreign institution based on a four-year program and have a strong overall academic record with a “B” average or better in the basic courses related to gerontology. Applicants are required to submit the following to the Graduate School:

An application for graduate 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 (24-27 credit hours)

GRN 501 - Aging and Society Credit Hours: 3
GRN 503 - Investigative Inquiry in Gerontology Credit Hours: 3
or
RTH 559 - Research and Evaluation in Recreation Therapy Credit Hours: 3
GRN 525 - Health and Aging Credit Hours: 3
GRN 540 - Current Issues in Gerontology Credit Hours: 3
PSY 524 - The Psychology of Aging Credit Hours: 3
GRN 590 - Practicum in Gerontology Credit Hours: 3
(GRN 590 must be repeated for credit unless student has completed 135 hours of internship, practicum, or paid work experience at an organization or company that serves older adults.)
GRN 597 - Master’s Project Proposal Development Credit Hours: 3
GRN 598 - Final Project in Gerontology Credit Hours: 3

Additional Requirements (9-12 credit hours)

All students must complete 9-12 credit hours of electives approved by the Gerontology Program Coordinator.

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

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

Additional Information

Students who choose to take FOUR of these six courses, MBA 514 - Information Analysis and Management Credit Hours: 3 , MBA 562 - Management Credit Hours: 3 , MBA 508 - Accounting Credit Hours: 3 , MBA 530 - Economics Credit Hours: 3 , MBA 532 - Corporate Finance Credit Hours: 3 , and MBA 542 - Marketing Credit Hours: 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.

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