To learn more,
contact Tracy Davis, Ph.D.,
track coordinator
M.S. in Gerontology
The population over the age of 65 is the fastest growing age group in the US. This trend has resulted in an increased demand for well-trained health professionals, service providers, planners and policy workers who understand the unique issues of the aging.
Our Master of Science in Gerontology has been redesigned to meet the needs of gerontology professionals into the future. The fully online Master of Science in Gerontology program was structured based on data collected from the community, particularly older adults, and those who serve them. Those with experience or an interest in the field of aging will gain a strong foundation in social policy that impacts the aging population, health promotion and physical changes in aging as well as management and leadership. The curriculum includes courses in evidence-based research.
Graduates of this program can make an impact working directly with older adults, influencing elder health care policy and challenging stereotypes related to the aging population.
We offer two options:
- Graduate Certificate (15 credits)
- Master’s Degree in Gerontology (36 Credits)
Our graduate can find employment in:
- Educational settings
- Organizations
- Medical care, rehabilitation and residential settings
- Residential communities and facilities
- Religious and spiritual settings
- Governmental agencies
- Corporate, industry, and business setters
- Self-employment
Questions?
Please contact the Office of Admissions at 973-972-5454 or the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Master of Science in Gerontology at 856-566-2765
The program is unique in offering:
- Newly designed, fully online curriculum
- The option of earning either a 36-credit Master’s Degree or 15-credit Graduate Certificate. The certificate is for working professionals who want to develop or expand their skillset to work with the older adult population.
- A rich academic environment with a vast array of gerontology-related resources
- The ability to apply credits earned from the Graduate Certificate to the Master of Science Degree in Gerontology or any other program at our school
- A highly structured capstone, Clinical Internship Course or Graduate Project Course
- Enrollment in a university ranked #1 of 582 schools nationwide in health professions education by College Factual 2018
In the News:
Assistant Professor Tracy Davis publishes an Op-Ed: Let’s Stop Treating the Elderly as Disposable”
Assistant Professor Tracy Davis talks about the urgent need to educate health professionals to provide appropriate care for the growing aging population in podcast.
Learning Outcomes are aligned with the School of Health Professions Outcomes and include outcomes related to major competencies for gerontology. While in the program, learners will:
- Analyze human aging as a combination of psychological, social, and biological processes;
- Apply interdisciplinary skills to determine outcomes for diverse and complex aging issues that impact the aging population, their families, and society.
- Critique major concepts, theories, and approaches to research in the study of the aging process;
- Evaluate social and health care policies as they related to the aging population
- Participate in the development of new and updated policies as they pertain to older adults
- Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively with older adults and professionals in the field of aging;
- Execute the skills needed to promote older persons’ strength and adaptations to maximize well-being, health, and mental health;
- Implement the principles of evidence-based practice when providing service to older adult;
According to the U.S. Census, the population over the age of 65 will outnumber the younger generation by 2030. This age group is projected to double by mid-century, rising from 42 million today to 89 million in 2050. Specialized health care by an interprofessional team will be needed to ensure the physical and mental well-being of older Americans. Our program prepares graduates to fill this critical demand for highly qualified health professionals, service providers, planners, educators, and policy workers who understand the issues of aging and the aging population.
To apply to the Master’s or Graduate Certificate Program in Gerontology, you must meet the following requirements and provide the following documents:
- Have an interest in the field of gerontology or have prior experience in the field of gerontology.
- Minimum of a bachelor’s degree with an overall GPA of 3.0 or greater
- Health professional with current licensure/registration, if applicable
- Two recommendations using the Recommender Form (not required for certificate candidates)
- Essay (not required for certificate candidates)
- Statement of career interest and why the Gerontology program meets career goals
- Official transcripts from all academic institutions attended
- Resume/CV
- Completed application for degree or certificate
- Payment of application fee
Questions?
Please contact the Office of Admissions at 973-972-5454 or the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Gerontology Program at 856-566-2765
The Master of Science and Graduate Certificate Programs in Gerontology prepare graduates with a strong foundation to meet the demands of health professionals who work with the growing aging population.
The 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Gerontology requires less credits than the Master of Science Program and is designed for working health care professionals who want to develop or expand their skill set to work with the aging population.
What is the Graduate Program in Gerontology?
The online M.S. in Gerontology is a 36-credit program designed to provide a strong aging foundation to meet the need for well-trained health professionals who understand the issues of the aging population. The 15-credit certificate program is for working health care professionals who want to develop or expand their skill set to work with the aging population.
Who should apply to the program?
The program is for those who have an interest in the field of aging or who have established health care careers. The program will provide skills to those who desire to work with the aging population in a variety of settings as well as those who wish to gain employment developing policies in government offices related to aging.
What will the Master’s or Graduate Certificate Programs in Gerontology prepare you to do?
The program prepares graduates to assume rewarding and high-demand careers within the health care industry with a focus on caring for the aging population. Graduates may work in government agencies, hospitals, community agencies, residential facilities, or private agencies.
Can certificate credits be applied to the Master’s degree?
Yes. If a certificate graduate enters the master’s program within five years of completing the Certificate and earns a “B” or better in all certificate courses, the credits may be applied to the master’s degree. These credits are evaluated on an individual basis. There is no guarantee that certificate graduates will be accepted into the master’s program. The certificate graduate must apply to the master’s program. Acceptance into the master’s program is on a competitive basis.
What are the admissions criteria for the program?
Applicants do not need to take any standardized test such as the GRE and an interview is not required. However, applicants must have earned at least a bachelor’s degree, generally with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, have an interest in the field of aging or be a health professional with current licensure/registration, if applicable to the field.
How do you apply to the Master’s or Graduate Certificate Program in Gerontology?
You may apply online here for the master’s program and here for the certificate program. Along with the application, the following should be submitted:
- Copy of a current health profession’s license/registration, if applicable
- Two recommendations using the Recommender Form (not required for the certificate)
- Essay (not required for the certificate)
- Statement of career interest and why the Gerontology program meets career goals
- Official transcripts from all academic institutions attended
- Resume/CV
Can Master’s or Graduate Certificate Program in Gerontology courses be taken on a non-matriculated basis?
Subject to approval, up to 12 credits may be taken on a non-matriculated basis. However, non-matriculants must follow the course sequence as delineated in the curriculum sequence. The non-matriculated registration can be found here.
Is financial aid available?
The best source for financial aid information is at the Rutgers Student Financial Aid Office. They can be contacted 973-972-4376 or by clicking here.
Are scholarships available?
There are limited scholarships available for SHP students. General scholarship information can be found by clicking here.
Questions?
Please contact the Office of Admissions at 973-972-5454 or the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Gerontology Program at 856-566-2765
Questions?
Please contact the Office of Admissions at 973-972-5454 or the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Aging Track at 856-566-2765.
To learn more,
contact Tracy Davis, Ph.D.,
track coordinator
65 Bergen Street, Suite 120, Newark, NJ 07107-1709
Admissions: 973-972-5454
Dean's office: 973-972-4276
FAX: 973-972-7028