College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Gerontology Program
113 Armstrong Hall
507-389-5188
Gerontology is the scientific study of the biological, psychological and social aspects of aging. The Gerontology program, in cooperation with the Center on Aging, coordinates the delivery of the curriculum in human aging and facilitates activities of education, research and service which create, disseminate and apply knowledge about aging. The primary purpose of the graduate curriculum in aging is to provide a knowledge base in gerontology which, when combined with professional knowledge and skills, prepares the student for practice in the aging network. The program offers both general and administrative tracks of study at the graduate level. In addition to the Master of Science in Gerontology, Minnesota State also offers a Graduate Certificate of Study in Gerontology and specialized coursework leading to original licensure as a nursing home administrator in Minnesota. The University is a member of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education.
Applications for admission to the MS in Gerontology program may be submitted at any time. Although entrance in fall semester is preferred, permission may be granted for study to commence at other times during the academic year. Full admission requires a baccalaureate degree, a minimum 3.0 GPA, at least 16 credits of social and behavioral science and evidence of promise for successful graduate study and professional practice with older adults. The GRE is not required.
One or more graduate assistantships in Gerontology are normally available each year on a competitive basis. Other financial assistance may become available from time to time, e.g., research assistance or special project work. Contact the program director for current information.
One-half of the total credits for the degree must be 600 level credits (excluding the thesis or alternate plan paper credits). A minimum of 24 credits of age-related courses are required under either plan. Within these 24 credits, a maximum of six credits of internship and either four credits of thesis or two credits of alternate paper research may be included.
(Thesis Plan - 30 credits)
(Alternate Plan Paper - 34 credits)
Select a minimum of one course from each of the three core areas. Other core courses can be used as electives.
Choose Gerontology elective courses in consultation with an advisor:
FCS 574 (3) Residential Management for Families and Special Needs People
GERO 580 (3) Nursing Home Administration
GERO 677 (1-4) Individual Study
HLTH 541 (3) Death Education (3) OR SOC 505 (3) Sociology of Death (3)
RPLS 582 (3) Leisure Needs of the Aging
or any course not taken to fulfill one of the required categories
Additional credits needed to meet degree requirements and to meet the specific educational objectives of the student are to be chosen from the Gerontology list and/or from the offerings of other departments with emphasis on course work at the 600 level. For example, one might include course work in program planning, administration and evaluation and/or graduate-level course work which is required for nursing home administration licensure. Early consultation with the Gerontology Program Director is required to assure careful program planning and maximum utilization of program options. Students completing an APP or thesis will be required to participate in an oral defense of their work.
Gerontology: Management of Aging Services
(Thesis Plan – 33 credits, Alternate Plan Paper - 35 credits)
Required Core Courses
Choose one course from each of the following areas
Social-Psychological:
ANTH 536 Anthropology of Aging
PSYC 566 Psychology of Aging
SOC 504 Sociology of Aging
Bio-medical
BIOL 517 Biology of Aging
HLTH 555 Health and Aging
Policy/Applied Theory
GERO 585 Topics in Gerontology: Public Policy
and Aging
SOWK 519 Social Work and Aging
GERO 601 Seminar in Gerontology
Gerontology Core:
GERO 600 Gerontology: Theory and Practice
GERO 697 Internship 6
Sociology Core:
SOC 517 Program Administration 3
SOC 566 Program Planning 3
SOC 607 Program Evaluation 3
SOC 605 Seminar: Social Research 3
Students completing an APP program must complete an additional 3 credits
of electives.
Thesis or Alternative Plan Paper
GERO 694 Alternate Plan Paper OR 2
GERO 699 Thesis 3
Approved electives:
FCS 574 Residential Management for Families & Special Needs People (3)
GERO 580 Nursing Home Admin (3)
GERO 677 Individual Study (1-4)
RPLS 582 Leisure Needs of the Aging (3)
SOC 505 Sociology of Death (3) or HLTH 541 Death Education (3)
or any course not taken to fulfill one of the required categories.
TOTAL: 33 (Thesis)
35 (APP)
Gerontology: Management of Health Services
(Thesis Plan – 34 credits, Alternate Plan Paper - 37 credits)
Required Courses
Aging Core:
Choose one course from each of the following areas:
Social-Psychological:
ANTH 536 Anthropology of Aging
PSYC 566 Psychology of Aging
SOC 504 Sociology of Aging
Bio-medical
BIOL 517 Biology of Aging
HLTH 555 Health and Aging
Policy/Applied Theory
GERO 585 Topics in Gerontology: Public Policy
and Aging
SOWK 519 Social Work and Aging
GERO 601 Seminar in Gerontology
Gerontology Core
GERO 600 Gerontology: Theory and Practice 3
GERO 697 Internship 6
Health Sciences Core
HLTH 580 Community and Program Development for Health 4
HLTH 630 Techniques of Research in Health 3
HLTH 659 Health Administration 3
HLTH 668 Grant Proposal Writing for Health Professionals 3
Students completing an APP program must complete an additional 3 (3)
credits of electives.
Thesis or Alternative Plan Paper
GERO 694 Alternate Plan Paper OR 2
GERO 699 Thesis 3
Approved electives:
FCS 574 Residential Management for Families & Special Needs People (3)
GERO 580 Nursing Home Admin (3)
GERO 677 Individual Study (1-4)
RPLS 582 Leisure Needs of the Aging (3)
SOC 505 Sociology of Death (3) or HLTH 541 Death Education (3)
Or any course not taken to fulfill one of the required categories.
TOTAL: 34 (Thesis) 36 (APP)
The program is intended for persons who wish to acquire a core of knowledge and skill in Gerontology but who may not wish to pursue a degree program with a Gerontology component. The certificate signifies completion of an approved multidisciplinary course of study in Gerontology. As such, it may have value to prospective employers who seek evidence of specialized study relevant to working with and on behalf of the elderly. Admission to the certificate program requires formal application to the Gerontology program. Upon admission, a program of study must be developed with and approved by the program director. Academic advising for the certificate program is provided by the director of the Gerontology program.
GERONTOLOGY CERTIFICATE (21 credits)
Common Core:
GERO 600 – Theories and Practice (3)
PSYC 566 – Psychology of Aging (3)
SOC 504 – Sociology of Aging (3)
Electives
Bio-medical (3 credits):
BIOL 517 – Biology of Aging (3) or
HLTH 555 – Health and Aging (3 )
Methods (3 credits):
SOC 605 – Seminar – Social Research (3)
PSYC 610 – Research Design and Statistics (4)
HLTH 630 – Techniques of Research in Health (3)
ANTH 602 – Seminar: Research Methods (3)
Practicum (3 credits):
GERO 697 – Internship (3) or
GERO 698 – Practicum: Nursing Home Administration
Electives (3 credits):
GERO 585 – Topics in Gerontology (1-3)
GERO 601 – Seminar in Gerontology (3)
SOWK 519 – Social Work and Aging (3)
ANTH 536 Anthropology of Aging (3)
FCS 574 Residential Management for Families & Special Needs People (3)
GERO 580 Nursing Home Admin (3)
GERO 677 Individual Study (1-4)
RPLS 582 Leisure Needs of the Aging (3)
SOC 505 Sociology of Death (3)
HLTH 541 Death Education (3)
GERO 580 (3) Nursing Home Administration
Issues and trends, programs and services, funding mechanisms and regulations. Meets state educational requirements for specific content areas.
GERO 585 (1-3) Topics in Gerontology
Topics vary as announced in class schedule. May be retaken for credit if topic is different.
GERO 600 (3) Gerontology Theory and Practice
This course will provide students with an integrated knowledge of theory and practice in gerontology and examine the challenges involved in studying and providing services to the elderly, as well as ethical and advocacy-related issues in an aging society.
GERO 601 (3) Current Health Issues in Aging
Topic varies with offering. May be taken more than once.
GERO 677 (1-4) Individual Study
Prerequisite: consent
GERO 694 (1-2) Alternate Plan Paper
Prerequisite: consent
GERO 697 (1-6) Internship
Prerequisite: by application and consent
GERO 698 (1-6) Practicum: Nursing Home Administration
For students following the program of study for nursing home administration
Prerequisite: by application and consent
GERO 699 (1-3) Thesis
Prerequisite: consent
