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gerontology graduate programs.

Master of Arts in Social Gerontology

The MA in Social Gerontology can be pursued with a thesis option and a non-thesis option. The required number of credit hours for both options is 36 hours.

The MA in Social Gerontology with a thesis option is designed to help meet the educational needs of two principal groups. First, the degree program is designed for those who are mid-career professionals who wish to gain additional knowledge and insight from the research in the field of gerontology, to interpret the research critically, and who may wish to be prepared to conduct research on their own. A second, smaller group that may benefit from the program consists of those who have gerontology as a primary academic interest and who intend to continue on in pursuit of a doctoral degree.

The MA in Social Gerontology with non-thesis option is intended to be a practitioner's degree. Those who seek graduate preparation for entering the field of aging in a service capacity may pursue the degree with this option. They also can supplement this with a graduate certificate in gerontology in conjunction with a master's degree in social work, counseling, public administration, health education or other field of practice. Such career preparation would probably offer more employment opportunities for the entry-level professional.

Admission

The general prerequisite for admission is a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. The student must have achieved a grade point average of at least 3.0 for either the full undergraduate program or for upper division course work. The student must submit either the GRE or MAT scores at the time of application, for exceptions click here. In addition, the student must submit a completed Information Form for the MA in social gerontology, a writing sample and two letters of reference. After all application materials have been received, an individual interview will be held with members of the Gerontology Graduate Program Committee.

Applicants need to submit:

  • Online Graduate Application
  • Transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendations - Please provide the names and email addresses for your recommenders. (A Request form will be emailed to recommenders by UNO when you submit your online application.)
  • GRE
  • Writing Sample
  • Graduate Application Fee

Degree Requirements

MA (Thesis Option)
  1. A minimum of 18 hours of Gerontology course work THAT INCLUDE:
    • GERO 9110 Applied Social Gerontology;
    • GERO 9460 Seminar in Aging and Human Behavior;
    • GERO 8676 Programs and Services; and

  2. Upto 6 hours of course work in a related area such as administration, counseling, education, or program planning and evaluation(with approval of advisor).

  3. A minimum of 6 hours of research courses such as research methodology, statistics or computer applications THAT INCLUDES:
    • GERO 9310 Introduction to Research Methods

  4. A minimum of 6 hours of:
    • GERO 8890 Thesis
MA (Non-Thesis Option)
  1. A minimum of 18 hours of Gerontology course work THAT INCLUDES:
    • GERO 9110 Applied Social Gerontology
    • GERO 9460 Seminar in Aging and Human Behavior
    • GERO 8676 Programs and Services
    • GERO 8940

  2. Upto 15 hours of course work in a related area such as administration, counseling, education, or program planning and evaluation(with approval of advisor)

  3. A minimum of 3 hours of research THAT INCLUDES:
    • GERO 9310 Introducation to Research Methods

  4. A written comprehensive examination upon completion of course work.

Certificate in Gerontology

In addition to the Master of Arts in social gerontology, a graduate certificate of specialization in gerontology is available. The Board of Regents has established a certificate in gerontology that will be awarded upon completion of requirements for the specialization. The specialization may serve as an academic minor for students majoring in many of the social and behavior sciences at the graduate level.

Requirements

Students wishing to work toward the certificate in gerontology must make application and be accepted into the department of gerontology and Graduate College; application also must be made for admission to Graduate Studies. Those working toward a graduate degree also must be accepted into the degree program of their major department/school. Course work requirements consist of a minimum of 15 semester hours in gerontology. The only required course is GERO 9110 Applied Social Gerontology (three semester hours); the other 12 hours (usually four graduate-level courses) in gerontology are selected by the student in consultation with the academic coordinator of the gerontology program. In this manner, individualized programs of study are developed for each student to best meet his or her career goals and interests.

A one semester practicum or its equivalent also is required. The goal of this is to give each student practical one-on-one experience with the aged in a service program or agency delivering services to the elderly. Practicum students must register for GERO 8940 Practicum and participate in periodic seminars with the Practicum supervisor of the department of gerontology.

Example of a Program of Study for the Certificate

Each individual program of study will be tailored to the needs and interests of each student. The following is an example of what one program of study might look like:

GERO 9110 Applied Social Gerontology (3) (required of all students at the graduate level)
GERO 8106 Educational Gerontology (3)
GERO 8676 Programs and Services for the Aging (3)
GERO 8986 Counseling Skills in Gerontology (3)
GERO 8940 Practicum (3)
GEOG 9460 Aging and Human Behavior (3)

For more information...

Please call (402) 554-2272.


last updated: 10/27/2011 at 3:05pm