Iowa State University
College of Human Sciences


Program Descriptions:


The Masters of Family Consumer Sciences Specialization in Gerontology is a 36-credit web-based degree designed to prepare professionals who either working directly with older people or are involved in education and research related to the elderly. The Gerontology specialization within the MFCS is offered over the Web by six Great Plain Universities: Iowa State University Colorado State University, Kansas State University, North Dakota State University, Oklahoma State University, and Texas Tech University. The program has been designed to provide student with the core competencies identified by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education.


The Gerontology Graduate Certificate is a 21-credit subset of the Masters of Family and Consumer Sciences degree. All courses will be offered on the World Wide Web (WWW).

 

Both of these programs are designed to prepare professionals who either work 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.


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

About the Programs:


These programs are offered by the Great Plain Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GP-IDEA). Seven universities currently participate within this program: Iowa State University, Kansas State University, North Dakota State University, Oklahoma State University, and Texas Tech University. The GP-IDEA universities have combined resources to enable students to obtain a Master of Science in Gerontology (MFCS-GERON) via distance education.


Students select a "home" institution from which their degree will be granted. Students take courses through both their home institution and the participating GP-IDEA schools. Course registration and assistance is provided through their home institution.

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:

  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/.