MS Specialization in Gerontology

Overview

Graduates of The Masters specialization in Gerontology provides an in-depth study of adulthood, aging processes, needs of older adults, and services for aging populations.

This specialization provides leadership in Gerontology programs or agencies or pursue doctoral studies. Graduates demonstrate an ability to describe, discuss, and integrate theory, research, and application to address key issues related to adulthood, gerontology, intergenerational ties, and the broader field of Human Development and Family Science; establish a solid theoretical foundation in both the interdisciplinary field of Gerontology as well as Human Development and Family Science, and gain knowledge relevant to professional issues in Gerontology.

Degree Requirements

(39 semester hours for thesis plan, 36 semester hours for non-thesis plan; 36 semester hours for the online program)

(12 HOURS FOR THESIS OPTION, 9 HOURS NON-THESIS OPTION)
Students gain foundations in current research and theory relating to human development and family science by taking the courses specified below.
HDFS 5253: Social and Emotional Development: Theory and Research
HDFS 5513: Issues in Family Science orHDFS 5523: Family Theory
Individual Research or Creative Project (3 semester hrs. for creative component, 6 semester hrs. for thesis)

• For students in the thesis option (Requires advisory committee approval):
• HDFS 5000 – Master’s Thesis (6 hours)
• For students in the non-thesis option (Requires advisory committee approval):
• HDFS 5110 - Creative Component (3 hours)

RESEARCH METHODS AND STATISTICS (6 SEMESTER HOURS)
HDFS 5133: Research Methods in HDFS
REMS 5953: Elementary Statistics or equivalent graduate level introductory course

Students gain specific foundational knowledge in Gerontology by taking the following courses:

REQUIRED GERONTOLOGY COURSES (9 SEMESTER HOURS)
HDFS 5423: Research Perspectives in Gerontology
HDFS 5433: Theories of Aging
HDFS 5493: Aging and Families

CONTROLLED ELECTIVES (6 SEMESTER HOURS)
Interdisciplinary courses allow students to gain specific knowledge or skills that are the most closely related to their professional goals.

CPSY 5173: Gerontological Counseling or EPSY 6043: Adult Development
NSCI 5393: Nutrition and Aging

ELECTIVE COURSES (6 HOURS) - Select two elective course from the following:
AGED 6223: Program Evaluation in Agriculture and Extension
CDIS 5153: Neurological Communication Disorders
HDFS 5443: Attachment in Later Life
HDFS 5453: Aging in the Medical Context
HDFS 5563: Management of Family and Community Service Programs
HRAE 5213: Characteristics of Adult Learners
HRAE 6213: Lifelong Learning and Performance
LEIS 5473: Leisure and Aging
NSCI 5023: Nutrition and Health Issues
NSCI 5713: Advanced Community Nutrition
SOC 5333: Global Populations and Social Problems
SOC 5990: Advanced Problems and Issues in Sociology (3 hrs.)

If a student wishes to propose a course not listed for this category, the course must focus sufficient attention on Gerontology to meet the requirements of the Master’s program. Syllabi must be submitted to faculty advisor and HDFS Graduate Office for approval.

Notes: Before enrolling in the 17th hour of the graduate program, the OSU Graduate College requires MS students to submit a plan of study approved by the student's advisory committee that details the specific courses a student will take for graduation. The advisory committee is composed of the student’s major advisor and two additional members of the Graduate Faculty. Consult your advisor for more details on selecting advisory committee members.

Multidisciplinary Approach
Faculty Affiliates