Master of Science in Gerontology

Plan of Study

The program requires 30 credit hours (10 courses). Eight of the courses are required and two are electives. Courses will be offered either online or in a classroom setting.

Required courses

» GERON611 Health and Physical Aspects of Aging: Credits: 3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Course Description: This course examines the physical process of aging and the effects on physical health, mental health, social and economic factors and relationships. These topics are applied to disease prevention, health promotion, health maintenance, and selected disorders that effect health and independent living. Public policy and program development issues will be addressed and incorporated into management and administration of aging services.
» GERON623 Issues in Aging Policy: Credits: 3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Course Description: The course offers an introduction to aging policy at a graduate level. A framework for understanding and analyzing social policy generally and aging policy specifically in the United States is provided. Topics covered include the politics of aging, the major policy issues associated with aging, and the major public programs for older people in the United States addressing income security, health, long-term care, and other needs.
» GERON645 Marketing Aging Services: Credits: 3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Course Description: This course examines marketing principles as applied to aging services organizations. Students will learn about marketing concepts, objectives, and brand names. The course will also explore the current structure of aging organizations in Massachusetts Students will work on projects to research and propose an agency brand name, and to develop a strategic marketing plan for an aging services organization.
» GERON650 Service Delivery Issues in Aging: Credits: 3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Course Description: This course is concerned with the link between consumers and aging services in setting with well developed formal services. The aim of the course is to provide students with an understanding of the structural problems that underlie the challenges that consumers face in using formal services. The course will cover a wide range of services that older people may need, the complementary relationship between formal and informal services, boundaries issues among service specialties and service professionals, service coordination and integration, and the role of both consumer direction and professional case management in negotiating service systems.
» GERON660 Organization and Financing of Aging Services: Credits: 3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Course Description: The influences of organizational and financial forces upon aging services are analyzed in this course. Various public (federal and state) and private sources of funding are considered. Three sources of public financing: Medicare, Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act are examined in depth. The relative strengths of public and private funding are examined with attention to both access and quality issues. The implications of both the financing and organizational forces are considered for several major service modalities including nursing homes, assisted living, home care, and adult day care.
» GERON670 Human Resources and Personnel Management: Credits: 3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Course Description: This course is designed to familiarize students with the concepts of human resources management and the principles of planning and forecasting for human resource needs. Issues to be addressed will include career planning, and internal labor market analysis, equal employment opportunity and affirmative action practices. Students will examine job design and pay systems, methods of personnel selection and training, issues of productivity and work hours, the effect of government regulations on working conditions and personnel administration.
» GERON680 Financial Control and Management of Aging Services: Credits: 3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Course Description: This course addresses the financial management theory, techniques and issues applicable to public and private long-term care organizations. Specific topics include budgeting, capital formation, cost finding, reimbursement alternatives, financial analysis, and performance evaluation. We will also evaluate contemporary policy issues affecting organization administrators.
» GERON691 Capstone Project: Credits: 3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Course Description: The capstone offers each student the opportunity to develop a special project in his or her specific area of interest. This includes researching the topic, identifying an issue, developing a strategy and a workplan, establishing a timeline, and implementation schedule. Students will also develop a plan for evaluation.

Elective Courses

» GERON621 Social Aspects of Aging: Credits: 3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Course Description: This course provides an overview of the sociological perspectives on aging. Public and personal aspects of aging will be addressed through historical, theoretical and social venues. Topics will include physical and mental health, work and retirement, social policy, older people as a social and political force, care needs, baby boomers, diversity, social support, disability, and death and dying.
» GERON626 Economic Issues in Aging Populations: Credits: 3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Course Description: This course deals with the economic issues raised by aging populations. It begins by introducing population trends and projections, and provides a primer on microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts and analyses. This course then discusses a range of economic issues, some major institutions, and elements in our society that play important roles in providing people with income and health security: Social Security, private pensions, private savings, public assistance, work, and retirement. Special attention is paid to problems affecting racial and ethnic minorities.
» GERON628 Psychology of Aging: Credits: 3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Course Description: This course focuses on the psychosocial processes throughout the second half of life, from middle age through the young/old and old/old years. It addresses bothnormal aging and psychopathology. Of specialconcern is the question of whether there are any systematic, intrinsic, psychological or personality changes associatedwith development in later life. The course also focuses on the processes used to cope with age associated transitions ranging from empty nest to impending death. It explores theoretical modelswith a behavioral slant. It addresses the policy implications of psychological changes in later life. Topics addressed include the most common psychopathologies, Alzheimer’s Disease, the psychodynamics of institutionalization and family care of the very old.
» GERON675 Organizational Theory, Behavior and Aging Services: Credits: 3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Course Description: Organizations play a critical role in both professional and personal realms. This course examines the evolution of organization theory from early principles to current approaches and practices. Students will learn about the structure of organizations including internal and external forces. The course will also explore the current structure of aging organizations in Massachusetts. Students will research the various levels of aging organizations and the relationship with federal, state and local government agencies and with other local organizations. Students will also work on a team project to assess the organization issues of an aging services agency and propose a strategic plan to address these issues.
» GERON697 Grant Writing and Fund Raising: Credits: 3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Course Description: This course offer students an opportunity to develop skills in fundraising and procurement. It will include reviewing successful grants, researching grant opportunities, the grant writing process, assembling documentation, managing and evaluating a grant and reporting procedures.

Master of Science in Gerontology

Plan of Study

Required courses

Elective Courses

About the program

Certificate Option