MASTER OF SCIENCE IN GERONTOLOGY

The Master of Science in Gerontology degree is multidisciplinary in design and prepares students for management or direct service positions working with the aged. The program of study includes courses from a variety of departments including Anthropology, Biology, Nursing, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Physical Education, English, Public Policy Administration, and Optometry. Courses are offered primarily in the evening and on Saturdays to accommodate part-time, as well as full-time students.

Requirements of admission to the graduate certificate program are the same as those required for admission to the Graduate School: an undergraduate degree, a GPA of 2.75 or better, and three letters of recommendation.

Degree Requirements:

Students are required to complete 30 credit hours including 24 hours in Gerontology courses and 6 credit hours in Statistics and Research Methods. Students receive a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology upon completion of the first 18 hours of the MS program.

Distribution Requirements:

Public Policy and Aging - 3 credits
Geron 6443 - Health Care Policy (3) or
Geron 6417 - Income and Pension Policy for the Aged (3) or
Geron 6449 - Issues in Retirement (3)

Health and Physical Aspects of Aging - 3 credits
Geron 5610 - Mechanisms of Aging I: The Aging Body (1) and
Geron 5611 - Mechanisms of Aging II: The Aging Brain (1) and
Geron 5612 - Mechanisms of Aging III: Diseases of Aging (1) or
Geron 6401 - Health and Wellness in the Elderly (3) or
Geron 6441 - Aging and Health Behavior (3) or
Geron 6458 / Optometry 6558 - Geriatric Optometry (3)

Psychosocial Aspects of Aging - 3 credits
Geron 4361 - Sociology of Aging (3) or
Geron 4373 - Psychology of Aging (3) or
Geron 4376 - Mental Health and Aging (3) or
Geron 4380 - Psychology Of Death, Dying, and End-of-Life Concerns (3) or
Geron 5440 - Cultural Aspects of Aging (3)

Practica in Gerontology - 6 credits
The curriculum for the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, the Graduate Certificate in Long-Term Care Administration, and the Master of Science in Gerontology degree program all require the completion of Gerontology 6495 - Practicum in Gerontology (3 hours). This practicum experience is arranged with a local agency serving the needs of older adults and their families and must be approved by the Director of the Gerontology Program. The practicum will total 150 service hours, spaced over a 6-8 week period.

Candidates for the degree Master of Science in Gerontology must also complete Gerontology 6496 - Advanced Practicum in Gerontology (3 hours), considered a capstone to all previous academic work in the program This Advanced Practicum also totals 150 service hours and must also be approved by the Director of Gerontology Programs.

Graduate students who already have professional field experience equivalent to the internship may request an exemption. Any request for an exemption from the internship requirement must be approved by the gerontology program director after a review of the student's professional or managerial field experience with appropriate documentation. Students who receive an exemption must take another 3 hours of electives from the Gerontology program.

Practicum Guidelines for Gerontology Students
Student Learning Agreement
Time sheet for Gerontology Practica
Risk Insurance Letter

Statistics and Research Methods - 6 credits

1 graduate level course in Statistics (3) and 1 graduate level course in Research Methods (3).

Electives in Gerontology - 9 credits

Contact the director of the Gerontology program for course possibilities.

Gerontology Course Descriptions
Business Administration Course Descriptions
Social Work Course Descriptions

Specific advising on courses is available from the program director
:
Thomas M. Meuser, Ph.D.
Program Director and Associate Professor of Social Work and Psychology
meusert@umsl.edu
(314) 516-5421

To apply online, go to the Graduate School admissions web site.

Return to Gerontology Homepage