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.

Admission

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.

Financial Assistance

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.

Gerontology MS

(Thesis Plan - 30 credits)
(Alternate Plan Paper - 34 credits)

 

Required Core

Select a minimum of one course from each of the three core areas. Other core courses can be used as electives.

Social-psychological

• ANTH 536  Anthropology of Aging (3)
• PSYC 566  Psychology of Aging (3)
• SOC 504    Sociology of Aging (3)

Bio Medical

• BIOL 517   Biology of Aging (3)
• HLTH 555  Health and Aging (3)

Policy/Applied Theory

• GERO 585  Topics in Gerontology (1-3)
• GERO 601  Seminar in Gerontology (1-3)
• POL 564      Aging: Policy Issues (3)
• SOWK 519  Social Work and Aging (3)

Required Courses (9 credits)

• GERO 600  Theories and Practice (3)
• ------- 6--       One 600-level research methods course (3)
• GERO 697  Internship (6)

Required Gerontology Electives (8-14 credits)

Choose Gerontology elective courses in consultation with an advisor:

• FCS 574     Residential Management for Families and Special Needs People (3)
• GERO 580  Nursing Home Administration (3)
• GERO 677  Individual Study (1-4)
• HLTH 541   Death Education (3) OR SOC 505  Sociology of Death (3)
• RPLS 582   Leisure Needs of the Aging (3)
• or any course not taken to fulfill one of the required categories

Required Thesis or Alternate Plan Paper

• GERO 694  Alternate Plan Paper (2)
• GERO 699  Thesis (3)

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)

Thesis or Alternative Plan Paper

• GERO 694 Alternate Plan Paper* (2); OR
• GERO 699 Thesis (3)

*Students completing an APP program must complete an additional 3 credits
of electives.

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 credits (Thesis); 35 credits (Alternate Plan Paper)
 

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 (2) OR
• 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)

 

Certificate of Study in Gerontology

The Certificate of Study in Gerontology is granted upon completion of 15 credits of coursework in Gerontology and related courses. The Certificate program includes 5 specific courses that are designed to build and enhance skills in the areas of leadership, program administration and policy development. The goal of this certificate is to develop transformational leaders that can become a force for positive social change related to aging within their communities and organizations. This program is fully online and is designed to support the ability of working professionals to meet their educational goals without disrupting their careers. Admission to the Certificate program requires formal application to the Gerontology Program. The Director of the Gerontology Program serves as the academic advisor for students pursuing this certificate.

 Common Core

• GERO 550  New Directions in Aging Policy (3)
• GERO 600  Gerontology Theory and Practice (3)
• GERO 603  Leadership and Transformation in Aging (3)
• SOC 517     Program Administration (3)
• SOC 566     Program Planning (3)

Course Descriptions

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 603 (3) Transformational Leadership in Aging

This course will focus upon the critical examination of leadership in the context of organizations serving older populations. The course will include exploration of decisions, processes and ideas exhibited by transformational leaders in aging in the US and globally.

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