Program requirements and options
A full description of the Gerontology and Aging Studies Degrees and Certificate options is available online in PDF format.
PURPOSE
The goal of the Concordia University gerontology and aging studies master’s or certificate program is to educate students about lifespan development, later life and their own place in an aging society. The program is designed to prepare students for service and careers in the aging services network (health, medicine,business, volunteer and professional ministries and care-giving services.) No state teacher certification or professional designation is offered with the certificate.
PROGRAM OPTIONS
Degree options include:
- Master of Arts
- Dual Degree options including MBA and MFL
- Graduate Certificate
- Bachelor of Arts – traditional undergraduate and Degree Completion
- Undergraduate Certificate
Courses can be taken in a variety of formats from face to face to entirely online.
Students are required to complete one of the following: GERO/CTA 205 Adult Development and Aging (does not count toward graduate credit) OR GERO 500 Issues in Gerontology and Aging Studies.
For graduate or post-baccalaureate students, any course in the gerontology program previously completed at the undergraduate level may be replaced with different, appropriate post-baccalaureate or graduate course requirements in gerontology upon approval of the program director. Undergraduate courses will not count toward a master’s degree.
Each student is required to complete a practicum and a practicum project in which they will assess the need for an aging service or program and propose, implement and prepare for the long-term maintenance of this aging program or service.
OBJECTIVES
Students who complete the Master of Arts degree or certificate in gerontologyand aging studies program will be able to:
- Understand and discuss lifespan development and individual aging.
- Enter into service to and professions working with mature adults.
- Interact with an aging society and church realizing the implications thatour aging institutions have for ministry, services and policies.
- Conduct training, research, programming, service and curricular development in the field of aging.
MASTER’S DEGREE COURSE REQUIREMENTS (33 hours)
Common requirements (15 hours)
- Gero 500 Issues in Gerontology and Aging Studies (3)
- Gero 501 Aspects of Health and Aging (3)
- Gero 502 Social Gerontology (Social, Community and Interpersonal Issues in Aging) (3)
- Gero 503 Mental Health and Aging (3)
- Gero 504 Faith/Spiritual Development and Later Life (3)
Aging Electives (12 hours)
- Soc 533 Aging and the Family* (3)
- Gero 511 History and Literature of Aging (3)
- Gero 512 Life Review, Autobiography and Creative Non-Fiction (3)
- Gero 513 Aging and Communication (3)
- Gero 514 Aging Policy, Programs and Services (3)
- Gero 515 Retirement and Life Span Financial Issues (3)
- HHP 588 Health Promotion Programming (3)
- Gero 517 Aging and the Brain (3)
- Gero 518 Nutrition and the Older Adult (3)
- Psy 560 Professional Ethics* (3)
- Gero 519 Death, Dying and Trauma (3)
- Gero 520 Long-term Care Administration (3)
- Gero 521 Events and Activities Management (3)
- Gero 522 Intergenerational Programming and Activities (3)
- Gero 523 Geriatric Counseling (3)
- Gero 525 Complementary Therapies (3)
- Gero 526 Parish Nursing (3)
- Gero 527 Theories & Applications in Nursing Informatics (3)
- Gero 530 Issues of Aging & Longevity for Health Professionals & Caregivers (3)
- Gero 598 Special Topics in Aging (3)
- Educ 545 Lifespan Family Education* (3)
- Psy 555 Lifespan Development* (3)
*Up to 9 hours in lifespan studies, public policy, business administration or health care from other master level programs with Program Director permission.
Application Project (6 hours)
- Gero 599 Gerontology Practicum (registered for twice with same requirements)
Master’s degree students in Gerontology must take at least 12 hours of courses in addition to their practicum which are exclusively graduate level courses.
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE COURSE REQUIREMENTS (21 hours)
Common requirements (12 hours)
- Gero 500 Issues in Gerontology and Aging Studies (3) (OR with permission, students who have previously completed an MA in Family Life may substitute Psy 555 Life Span Development*)
- Gero 501 Aspects of Health and Aging (3) online
- Gero 502 Social Gerontology (Social, Community and Interpersonal Issues in Aging) (3) online
- Gero 503 Mental Health and Aging (3) online
Aging Electives (3 hours)
- Soc 533 Aging and the Family (3)
- Gero 500 Issues in Gerontology and Aging Studies (3)
- Gero 504 Faith Development and Later Life (3) online
- Gero/Eng/Hist 511 History and Literature of Aging (3) online
- Gero/Eng 512 Life Review, Autobiography and Creative Non-Fiction (3) online
- Gero/Cta 513 Aging and Communication (3) online
- Gero 514 Aging Policy, Programs and Services (3) online
- Gero/Bus 515 Retirement and Life Span Financial Issues (3) online
- Gero/Bio 517 Aging and the Brain (3)
- Gero/Bio 518 Nutrition and the Older Adult (3) online
- Gero 519 Death, Dying and Trauma (3)
- Gero 520 Long-term Care Administration (3)
- Gero 521 Events and Activities Management (3)
- Gero 522 Intergenerational Programming and Activities (3)
- Gero 523 Geriatric Counseling (3)
- Gero 525 Complementary Therapies (3)
- Gero 526 Parish Nursing (3)
- Gero 527 Theories & Applications in Nursing Informatics (3)
- Gero 530 Issues of Aging & Longevity for Health Professionals & Caregivers (3)
- Gero 598 Special Topics in Aging (3) online
- HHP 588 Health Promotion Programming (3)
Professional/Content Electives (3 hours)
Additional Aging Elective from above OR relevant elective in major field
Application Project (3 hours)
- Gero 599 Practicum (156 clock hours over the last year of the program)
OR Major/minor based internship/practicum completed with older adults
(Students must complete a practicum equivalent project as part of the internship.)
