Communication Studies and Applied Gerontology, Bachelor’s/Master’s Combined Program

Overview

Program Prerequisites and Admission Requirements

• Admission to the –College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts  as a Communication Studies, B.A.  student.
• Minimum GPA: 3. 0
• Must complete at least 75 completed undergraduate credit hours prior to starting graduate courses.
• Completion of the Application
• Cover letter describing interest in the program and career goals related to Gerontology.
• Unofficial UNCW transcript

Rationale

This program is an opportunity for students interested in working with older adults to develop knowledge, skills, and experience with and about the most rapidly growing segment of the population. Drawing on the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education’s competencies as a framework, our goal is to educate gerontologists who will improve quality of life and promote well- being of persons as they age within their families, communities and societies through research, education and application of interdisciplinary knowledge of the aging process and aging populations.

The purpose of the combined Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Master of Science in Applied Gerontology is to offer an accelerated path toward a Master of Science degree that prepares graduates with knowledge, skills, and competencies related to both communication studies and gerontology. This track provides communication studies students interested in hands-on careers in the field of aging, opportunities to draw on their knowledge of effective strategies for engaging in interpersonal interactions; addressing varied audiences through oral, written, and digital means; and more in a variety of careers working with older adults.

Furthermore, student outcomes emphasize critical thinking and evidence-based practices for assisting older adults and aging services provider organizations in reaching their goals and maximizing quality of life for older adults.

The Combined Program Will Benefit Students By

• providing invaluable knowledge and experience working with older adults.
• applying 12 graduate credit hours toward undergraduate and graduate requirements.
• reducing the costs of earning a master’s degree as graduate courses completed by undergraduate students are billed at undergraduate tuition rates.

Curriculum

Students must meet all requirements for the Communication Studies, B.A. . Students may count 12 credits of 500-level courses in the MGRN curriculum toward requirements for the B.A. Six graduate credit hours apply toward Communication Studies major requirements. The remaining six graduate credit hours fulfill elective requirements for the B.A. The MGRN courses are:

• GRN 501 Aging and Society

• GRN 503 Investigative Inquiry in Gerontology

• GRN 525 Health and Aging

• PSY 524 Psychology of Aging

For Students Who Are Admitted into the MGRN Program

Remaining requirements to complete the Applied Gerontology, M. S. degree can be found in the UNCW Graduate Catalogue .

Timeline

• Students enrolled in the Communication Studies, B.A.  and completing their 75th credit hour, can apply for admission into the combined B.A./M.S. program.
• After completing at least 75 undergraduate credit hours, those admitted to the combined program can enroll in the 12 designated graduate credit hours.
• Students who successfully complete the 12 500-level credits and all remaining Communication Studies degree requirements are awarded a B.A. in Communication Studies.
• In the final semester of their undergraduate program, students may apply to the MGRN program for summer or fall admission. Applicants must meet all Graduate School admissions requirements and submit their application by the stated deadline. Admission and completion of the combined program do not guarantee admission to the MGRN program.
• If admitted to the MGRN, the 12 credits earned at the 500-level will count toward the degree requirements of the M.S. in Applied Gerontology degree.
  • The following schedule details the progression to completion of the master’s degree in one year (note that only one of the two summer terms is required):

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• Students who do not go on to the M.S. in Applied Gerontology program may apply for admission to the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Gerontology and have the 12 credits earned at the 500-level count toward the Certificate requirements.