The Masters of Family and Consumer Sciences-Gerontology degree program is a 36-credit web-based program designed to prepare professionals who are either working directly with older people or are involved in education and research related to the elderly.
The Gerontology Graduate Certificate is a 21-credit subset of the degree program offered online.
Name of graduate degree: Master of Family and Consumer Sciences
Name of major: Family and Consumer Sciences
Name of department: Family and Consumer Sciences
Name of area of specialization: Gerontology
Why Study Gerontology?
Gerontology is the multidisciplinary study of the aging processes and individuals as they grow from middle age through later life. It includes:
- Study of the physical, mental, and social changes in older people as they age
- Investigation of the changes in society resulting from an aging population
- 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.
View more information about career opportunities and options in gerontology on the Careers in Aging website.
About the Program
This program is offered by the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GP-IDEA).
GP-IDEA is a consortium of universities that have come together to offer fully online degree 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.
View more information about GP-IDEA
