Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance

Iowa State University, Kansas State University, University of Missouri North Dakota State University, Oklahoma State University, Texas Tech University

Gerontology

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Program - Master's Degree - Graduate Certificate - Course Schedule - Faculty - Contacts
Benefits - Learning Outcomes - Careers
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The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA) is a consortium of eleven universities offering fully online graduate programs. Each university brings a unique strength to the multi-institution academic programs. In a multi-institution degree program, you apply, and are admitted at one university; enroll in all your courses at that university; and, graduate or receive a certificate from that university. However, your online courses are taught by the best faculty in the discipline from several universities.

The master's program and graduate certificate are designed to prepare professionals who are either working directly with older people or are involved in education and research related to the elderly. Professionals offering direct services often are involved in health promotion programs; directing intergenerational activities; managing senior centers or retirement communities; counseling older people and their families; and helping people plan for retirement. Professionals involved in education and research may evaluate community-based services; teach others about the aging process; develop policies and programs to serve the needs of the elderly; work with business and industry on issues related to an aging work force; and consumer education.

The 36 credit master's degree program consists of eight required 3-credit courses, listed below, plus twelve credits of electives. Elective offerings will be listed on this website as they are developed. Up to three credits of practicum experience may be included in the master's program. Each course is offered at least every other year, depending upon demand.

• Perspectives in Gerontology
• Adult Development
• Physical Health and Nutrition in Aging
• Program Evaluation and Research Methods
• Professional Seminar in Gerontology
• Economics, Public Policy and Aging
• Environments and Aging
• Aging in the Family

The 21 credit graduate certificate program consists of five required 3-credit courses. The remaining six credits can be taken from other core courses or from gerontology electives. Up to three credits of practicum experience may be included in the certificate program. Each course is offered at least every other year, depending upon demand.

• Perspectives in Gerontology
• Adult Development
• Physical Health and Nutrition in Aging
• Program Evaluation and Research Methods
• Professional Seminar in Gerontology

For further information please refer to the contact information on the partner institution's web sites.

• Earn a graduate degree from a top tier university, taught by nationally recognized experts in the field of gerontology.
• Networking opportunities will emerge from your electronic learning community.

Upon successful completion of the Gerontology program the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of specific issues regarding adult development, family systems, health and nutrition, public policy, the environment, and research as related to older adults and their families.
2. Apply research findings and skills to solve problems related to older adults and their families.
3. Synthesize critical issues related to aging from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Gerontology is the multidisciplinary study of the aging processes and individuals as they grow from middle age through later life. It includes:

1. the study of physical, mental, and social changes in older people as they age;
2. the investigation of the changes in society resulting from our aging population;
3. the application of this knowledge to policies and programs.

It offers challenging and rewarding careers in an area that is growing rapidly, that needs people with a broad range of skills, and that will improve people's lives.

We live in an aging society, one in which the older population is growing both in absolute numbers and in proportion to all other age groups. Businesses, government agencies, service organizations, educational institutions, and self-employed professionals from every economic sector are recognizing the need for specialized knowledge and skills to meet the needs of this changing demography.

People who are interested in this diverse field come from many disciplines, professions, and clinical areas, such as social work, nursing, counseling, recreation, public policy, long-term care administration, medicine, architecture, psychology, adult education, and rehabilitation therapy. Some people work directly with older persons in a wide variety of programs and services in the community. Others work on behalf of older persons in areas such as advocacy and teaching about aging.

For more information on career opportunities and options in the field of gerontology please visit Careers in Aging at http://www.careersinaging.com/careersinaging/.

Material adapted from Careers in Aging by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education