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Master's Degree

The Master of Arts (M.A.) curriculum is designed for two types of students seeking careers in gerontology. An aging program administration track prepares students to work in aging services and policy analysis and focuses on program design and administration. A research track prepares students to enter doctoral programs in gerontology, sociology, psychology, policy studies, family studies or related fields and for beginning careers with organizations engaged in aging research.


The M.A. degree is a 36-semester-hour program of study and may be pursued by students on a full-time or a part-time basis. Full-time students will usually complete the program in two years. The curriculum emphasizes the development of skills in addition to the acquisition of knowledge. During the internship, Aging Program Administration students work in agencies and community organizations that plan or administer aging programs, while Research Track students work with a faculty mentor on a research project. Internships for both tracks require approximately 10 hours per week.  A thesis is required of students in both tracks.

 

Requirements for the Master of Arts in Gerontology

(Courses are three semester hours)

Prerequisite required of students without previous coursework in statistics.
  SOCI 3010  Social Statistics or another approved statistics course

1. Core courses (18 semester hours)
  GERO 7110         Aging Policy and Services
  GERO 7200         Health and the Older Adult
  GERO 8000         Seminar in Gerontology
  GERO 8100         Research Methods in Gerontology
  GERO 8116         Sociology of Aging
  
  Select one of the following courses:
  GERO 7610         Psychology of Aging
  GERO 8260         Psychology of Adulthood and Aging
  
2. Track requirements (12 hours). Select one of the following tracks.
         
 A. Aging Program Administration Track
  GERO 7260         Social Work with the Aging
  GERO 8200         Aging Program Administration
  GERO 8910         Gerontology Internship
  GERO 8999         Thesis Research

 B.  Research Track
  GERO 8110         Evaluation Research in Gerontology
  GERO 8124         Ethnicity and Aging
  GERO 8990         Research Practicum
  GERO 8999         Thesis Research

3. Elective courses (6 hours)
  GERO 6475         Communication and Aging
  GERO 7260         Social Work with the Aging (if not required in track)
  GERO 8102         Life Course Sociology
  GERO 8119         Global Aging and Social Policies
  GERO 8122         Death, Dying, and Loss
  GERO 8124         Ethnicity and Aging (if not required in track)
  GERO 8200         Aging Program Administration (if not required in track)
  GERO 8700         Special Topics in Gerontology
  GERO 8800         Directed Reading in Gerontology
  
4.  A thesis   

Approved by the student’s thesis committee and the director of the Gerontology Institute

 

Admission

The Gerontology Institute welcomes applications from professionals working in the field of gerontology, college seniors and recent graduates, mature or returning students, individuals making career changes, retirees, and international students. It is not necessary to have a background in gerontology to gain admission to the master’s program.

The Office of Graduate Studies of the College of Arts and Sciences handles all applications for the M.A. in Gerontology. Please go to the College website, www.cas.gsu.edu/grad.html, to Information for Graduate Admissions and follow the application instructions outlined in the Application Guide. Students may apply online or submit paper application forms found on the website. All materials should be submitted in the manner outlined in the Self-managed Packets section. Students who are unable to access the graduate office website may obtain an Application Guide and application forms by contacting the Office of Graduate Studies, College of Arts and Sciences at 404-413-5040 (phone), 404-413-5036 (fax), or by email at gascas@langate.gsu.edu.

Applicants to the M.A. program are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The admissions committee will begin reviewing applications in February. April 15 is the application deadline for fall semester, and October 15 is the application deadline for spring semester. International students are advised to apply by March15 for fall semester and September 15 for spring semester to allow time for obtaining a visa. Students who wish to be considered for a graduate research assistantship (GRA) or scholarship should apply by March 15. All students accepted to the M.A. in Gerontology will be considered for a scholarship.

In addition to completing all GSU application forms, submitting official transcripts, and paying the required application fee, applicants to the M.A. in Gerontology must provide the following items:

1. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores

2. Three letters of recommendation

3. A statement of educational and career goals

4. A current resume#

Graduate Record Exam

A testing center is located at Georgia State University. Applicants may register for the test by calling 404-413-1737 or obtain test preparation information by calling 404-413-6406. Additional information about the GRE and test preparation as well as the location of other test sites is available at www.gre.org.