Program Admission (Master of Arts)
In addition to the university requirements for admission to the Graduate School, all
applicants for regular admission to the Master of Arts in Gerontology degree program
must meet specific program requirements.
Regular Status: Applicants must meet one of the following minimum requirements to be regularly admitted:
Any graduate, terminal, or professional degree from a regionally accredited university
OR
a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (based on a 4.0 scale) from a regionally accredited
university
OR
a GPA of 2.75 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework from a regionally
accredited university
Conditional Status: Applicants must meet one of the following minimum requirements to be conditionally admitted:
Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (based on a 4.0 scale) from a regionally
accredited university
OR
a GPA of 2.5 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework from a regionally accredited
university
OR
Minimum formula score of 622.6 (2.2 GPA x 283 GRE)
OR
With a GPA of 2.2 or higher, some candidates with 5 years of employment in a relevant
field of study may qualify for a waiver of test scores.
Applicants who fail to meet the standards may be admitted on conditional status as
recommended by the Gerontology Program Director.
Master of Arts in Gerontology
(specific program requirements)
Program Requirements: Master of Arts
M.A. in Gerontology is a 36-hour degree program, offered fully online, consisting of 21 hours of core
courses and 15 hours of concentration courses.
Concentration Areas
Areas of study for M.A. in Gerontology include Aging Studies, Grief Care Management, Health Care Management, Long-Term Care
Administration, Mental Health, Program Administration, and Small Business Management.
Please note that some non-GERO courses may involve discipline-based prerequisites.
Students will need to be advised for enrollment in non-GERO courses.
Core Requirements
Core courses are required for all concentrations offered in the Gerontology program and are offered fully online.
Total Hours of Core Courses: 21 Hours
Students will not be required to take Comprehensive Exams for any concentration in
the Gerontology program. In lieu of Comprehensive Exams, students will complete the Capstone Course
GERO 5095 in the last semester of their degree program.
Requirements for the degree in Gerontology with a concentration in Aging Studies are:
Total Hours of “Concentration” Courses: 15 Hours
Students in this concentration may choose between three hours of internship (GERO 5090) or a three-hour approved elective.
Requirements for a degree in Gerontology with a concentration in Grief Care Management are:
Total Hours of “Concentration” Courses: 15 Hours
Students in this concentration may choose between three hours of Internship (GERO 5090) or three hours approved elective.
Requirements for a degree in Gerontology with a concentration in Health Care Management are:
A minimum of two courses from Category A and a minimum of two course from Category
B. Additionally, a fifth course from either Category A or B. In all, five (15 hours)
need to be completed.
Please note that some non-GERO courses may involve discipline-based prerequisites.
Students will need to be advised when choosing courses from Category B.
Category A - A minimum of 2 courses (6-9 hours):
Category B - A minimum of 2 courses (6-9 hours):
A fifth course from either Category A or B
Total Hours of “Concentration” Courses: 15 Hours
Requirements for a degree in Gerontology with a concentration in Long-Term Care Administration are:
Total Hours of “Concentration” Courses: 15 Hours
Students in this concentration must complete the state required Administrator in
Training (AIT) for their internship.
Three hours of gerontology electives will be substituted for GERO 5090 if a student already possesses the Nursing Home Administrator’s license.
Requirements for the degree in Gerontology with a concentration in Mental Health are:
Total Hours of “Concentration” Courses: 15 Hours
Students in this concentration will be provided with hand-on laboratory experiences
in PSYC 5011 and PSYC 5018 .
Requirements for the degree in Gerontology with a concentration in Program Administration are:
Total Hours of “Concentration” Courses: 15 Hours
Students in this concentration may choose between three hours of internship (GERO 5090) or a three-hour approved elective.
Requirements for the degree in Gerontology with a concentration in Small Business Administration are:
Students need to take five courses out of the following seven courses:
Total Hours of “Concentration” Courses: 15 Hours
Students who choose GERO 5090 will be placed for an internship in small business agencies and organizations.
Graduate Courses
Note: To receive graduate credit for a 4000-level course designated “For Undergraduate
and Graduates,” a student must be in graduate admission status at the time credit
is earned in the course. Credit earned in undergraduate admission status cannot be
changed to graduate credit.
