2009-10 Graduate Bulletin and Course Catalog

Master of Arts in Gerontology
Graduate Certificate in Gerontology

Department of Sociology
College of Arts and Sciences

W. Edward Folts, Chair and Professor
FoltsWE@appstate.edu

Edwin Rosenberg, Program Director and Professor
RosenbergE@appstate.edu

<<printer friendly version>>

http://www.aging.appstate.edu/

The Department of Sociology offers the following graduate programs in Gerontology:

  • Master of Arts in Gerontology (Major Code: 245A/30.1101) – no concentration
  • Master of Arts in Gerontology (Major Code: 256*/30.1101) with concentrations in
    • Counseling (256B)
    • Lifespan Transitions (256D)
    • Program Administration (256C)
  • Graduate Certificate in Gerontology (110A/30.1101)

The Gerontology program, housed in the Department of Sociology, prepares students for careers requiring graduate-level knowledge and skills in the field of aging. The program emphasizes knowledge about the psychological, sociological, and biological processes of normal aging as they affect the diverse and rapidly growing population of older adults in the state and the nation. Theory, research and professional career preparation are emphasized, as is knowledge and understanding of public policies implemented through federal and state programs.

Students are encouraged to develop their own unique aging-related area of specialization. (Recent creative examples include the aging of the inmate population and the growth of eating disorders among aging women.) Faculty assist students with their research, often leading to conference presentations and/or publications.

Graduates of the Master of Arts and Graduate Certificate programs have found jobs in both the public and private sector, ranging from direct work with older persons to managerial/administrative positions. Appalachian’s Gerontology programs are approved by the NC Division of Health Services Regulation to offer the assisted living facility Administrator-in-Training Program.

Candidates for the Master of Arts degree must demonstrate an understanding of research procedures and show proficiency in interpreting data in various formats by completing the required course in research problems, and must either complete an additional course in research problems or write a thesis.

The Gerontology MA program qualifies for Academic Common Market status, and students from the southeastern states may qualify for a reduction to in-state tuition. Students should contact their home state’s ACM coordinator to request consideration. The complete list of coordinators is available on the Southern Regional Education Board website: http://www.sreb.org.

A Graduate Certificate is offered both on campus and on-line, and can be completed in either one or two years. It is designed to develop or supplement aging-related knowledge and skills for (1) students in other master’s degree programs; (2) employees who desire a Gerontology credential, but who do not want or need a master’s degree; (3) others with a personal or professional interest in aging and elders.

Courses meeting the requirements for Internship, Research Problems, Thesis, and Independent Research Study may be taken, where available, in any of the cooperating disciplines with the approval of the Program Director.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to meet all prerequisites. The candidate’s undergraduate program must have included a course in statistics and a course in research methods. Candidates who are deficient in these or any other undergraduate prerequisites must take the equivalent course(s). An advisor will supervise each candidate’s program of study and will recommend to the Dean of the Graduate School any exceptions and/or substitutions when necessary.
           

List of Approved Electives for MA Programs: Courses approved for electives include, but are not limited to:
            FCS 5110: Practical Issues in Family Development (3)
            FCS 5315: Housing for the Elderly (3)
            FCS 5551: Families in Later Life (3)
            HCM 5550: Health Care Policy (3)
            HCM 5560: Managed Care (3)
            HPC 5220: Counseling Theory and Techniques (3)
            HPC 5790: Group Methods and Processes (3)
            PA 5180: Public Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation (3)
            PA 5360: Public Personnel Administration (3)
            PA 5665: Public Management (3)
            RM 5560: Leisure and Aging (3)
            SOC 5530-5549: Selected Topics (1-4)
            SOC 5630: Programs and Services for Older Adults (3)
            SW 5555: Death, Dying, and Living (3)

 

PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR THE GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN GERONTOLOGY (Certificate Code: 110A/30.1101).

Admission requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; application to the graduate school, including resume and official transcripts for all colleges attended.

Location: On Campus and/or on line

Course Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology (110A)

Required Courses
  • SOC 5400: Sociology of Adult Development and Aging (3)
  • SOC 5420: Health Care and Aging (3)
  • SOC 5630: Programs and Services for Older Adults (3)
  • 6 s.h. of graduate electives in one of five interest areas: Business Administration, Interpersonal/Group Dynamics, Health Care Management, Home and Social Economics, and Public Management.

15

Total Semester Hours Required for the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology (110A)

15

 

PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR THE MASTER OF ARTS IN GERONTOLOGY – (NO CONCENTRATION) (Major code: 245A/30.1101)

Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; complete application to the graduate school; official GRE general test scores.

Minimum Criteria for Unconditional Admission: Undergraduate GPA 2.75; GRE Verbal + GRE Quantitative = 900.

Location: On Campus

Course Requirements for the Master of Arts in Gerontology (NO CONCENTRATION) (245A)

Required Courses
  • BIO 5563: Biology of Aging (3)
  • HPC 5680: Counseling the Aging (3)
  • PSY 5562: Psychology of Adulthood and Aging (3)
  • SOC 5110: Research Problems I (or equivalent course in a cooperating discipline) (3)
  • SOC 5400: Sociology of Adult Development and Aging (3)
  • SOC 5420: Health Care and Aging (3)
  • SOC 5900: Internship: Field Experience (3)

21

Thesis Option (CHOOSE ONE)

With Thesis (9 s.h.)

  • SOC 5999: Thesis (3-6)
  • 3-6 s.h. of approved graduate electives chosen with advice and approval of the Program Director – see list of approved electives on previous page

OR
Without Thesis (15 s.h.)

  • SOC 5990: Research Problems II (or an equivalent course in a cooperating discipline (3)
  • 12 s.h. of graduate electives chosen with advice and approval of the Program Director – see list of approved electives above

9 or 15

Total Semester Hours Required for the Master of Arts in Gerontology (NO CONCENTRATION) (245A)

30
(thesis)
OR
36

Other Requirements for the MA in Gerontology (no Concentration):

  • Thesis: Optional
  • Proficiency: None required
  • Comprehensive: Each candidate must successfully complete a written comprehensive examination.
  • Product of Learning: None required

PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR THE MASTER OF ARTS IN GERONTOLOGY - WITH CONCENTRATIONS (Major code: 256*/30.1101)

Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; complete application to the graduate school; official GRE general test scores.

Minimum Criteria for Unconditional Admission: Undergraduate GPA 2.75; GRE Verbal + GRE Quantitative = 900.

Location: On Campus

Course Requirements for the Master of Arts in Gerontology

Required Courses
  • BIO 5563: Biology of Aging (3)
  • HPC 5680: Counseling the Aging (3)
  • PSY 5562: Psychology of Adulthood and Aging (3)
  • SOC 5110: Research Problems I (or equivalent course in a cooperating discipline) (3)
  • SOC 5400: Sociology of Adult Development and Aging (3)
  • SOC 5420: Health Care and Aging (3)
  • SOC 5900: Internship: Field Experience (3)

21

Concentration (CHOOSE ONE)

Counseling (256B):

  • HPC 5220: Counseling Theory and Techniques (3)
  • HPC 5790: Group Methods and Processes (3)
  • HPC 5850: Theory and Practice of Reality Therapy (3)

OR
Lifespan Transitions (256D):

  • FCS 5110: Practical Issues in Family Development (3)
  • FCS 5210: Nutrition for the Elderly (3)
  • FCS 5315: Housing for the Elderly (3)
  • FCS 5551: Families in Later Life (3)

OR
Program Administration (256C):

  • PA 5180: Public Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation (3)
  • PA 5360: Public Personnel Administration (3)
  • PA 5665: Public Management (3)

9 or 12

Thesis Option (CHOOSE ONE)

With Thesis

  • SOC 5999: Thesis (3-6)

OR
Without Thesis

  • SOC 5990: Research Problems II (or an equivalent course in a cooperating discipline (3)
  • 0-3 s.h. of graduate electives chosen with advice and approval of the Program Director – see list of approved electives above

3 to 6

Total Semester Hours Required for the Master of Arts in Gerontology

33
(thesis)
OR
36

Other Requirements for the MA in Gerontology (with Concentrations):

  • Thesis: Optional
  • Proficiency: None required
  • Comprehensive: Each candidate must successfully complete a written comprehensive examination.
  • Product of Learning: None required

Related Course Listings