Richard A. Lusky, Chair
Graduate Faculty: Fairchild, Ingman, John, Lusky, Turner, Yeatts.
The Department of Applied Gerontology offers graduate programs leading to the following degrees:
University library holdings in gerontology are extensive as a result of systematic acquisitions beginning in the early 1960s. In addition, the nationally recognized Gerontological Film Collection, available through the Media Library, holds more than 400 titles.
Opportunities for research assistantships for qualified graduate students are available.
Students in other fields may minor in studies in aging at the master's or doctoral level.
Major funding sources for these research investigations include the National Institute on Aging, the National Institute of Mental Health, the Gerontological Society of America, the National Center for Health Services, the Texas Rehabilitation Commission and the U.S. Administration on Aging.
No specific undergraduate major is required. However, 3 hours of social gerontology are a prerequisite for all master's degree candidates, and 6 hours of undergraduate accounting (ACCT 2010 and 2020, or equivalent) are prerequisites for degree candidates majoring in administration of long-term care and retirement facilities. These prerequisites may be taken concurrently with courses applying to the master's degree.
Students must complete one problem in lieu of thesis for 3 hours credit. (A second problem in lieu of thesis may be substituted for another 3 hours of course work.)
Students with extensive practitioner experience may be allowed to substitute additional course work for the internship.
Only 6 hours of course work at the 4000 level are permitted.
Master's degree candidates must pass a written comprehensive examination.
Candidates for the MA degree must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language (normally French, German or Spanish). See the "Foreign Language Requirement" heading in the Master's Degree Requirements section of this catalog for further details.
Minor in business administration (required): ACCT 5130, BLAW 5050 or 5600, FINA 5040, MGMT 5070.
Requests for course substitutions are considered on an individual basis and may be approved if warranted by the student's academic background and/or professional experience.
Minor (optional): Students majoring in studies in aging may choose 6 to 12 semester hours in a minor field such as business administration, psychology, sociology, rehabilitation studies, health promotion, recreation or other areas of special interest. Other CSAG courses totaling 15 to 27 hours will be selected in consultation with the student's adviser.
The mission of the Minority Aging Research Institute (MARI) at the Department of Applied Gerontology is to increase scholarly and public awareness of contemporary aging issues facing ethnic minority communities at the local, state and national levels. MARI is the only university-endorsed program in Texas that combines gerontology and minority aging concerns and research. Both graduate and undergraduate students are involved in MARI's research and training efforts, and MARI staff are engaged in a variety of minority aging research projects.