Applied Gerontology

Opportunities for graduate studies

The population of Texas, the United States and the world is rapidly growing older. In 2004, 36.3 million people in the United States were 65 years old or older and comprised just more than 12 percent of the population. By 2030, the number of people at least 65 years old is expected to reach 71.5 million, about 20 percent of the population. As the baby boomers become "senior boomers," the U.S. will have the largest, healthiest and best-educated elderly population in its history. Responding to the needs and desires of these older Americans will require more comprehensive resources and the services of more well-trained professionals than ever before.

Established as the Center for Studies in Aging in 1967 through a grant from the U.S. Administration on Aging, UNT's Department of Applied Gerontology is one of the nation's oldest and best-known career training programs in gerontology. Graduates have become leaders in their communities and at the state and national levels in developing and administering programs, services, institutions and agencies serving older adults. Department alumni are employed throughout the nation in long-term care and retirement facilities, governmental planning and regulatory agencies, home health agencies, senior centers, church programs, mental health centers and other social service agencies.

The department offers a:

• master of arts in long-term care, senior housing and aging services; and in general studies in aging
• master of science in long-term care, senior housing and aging services; and in general studies in aging
• doctor of philosophy in applied gerontology

The master's degree program combines classroom study with an internship that allows you to work under the supervision of an experienced preceptor. Doctoral students are trained to apply gerontological knowledge to the identification, development, provision and evaluation of products and services for the elderly. In addition, a 15-semester-hour graduate academic certificate - Specialist in Aging - is available. Graduate students majoring in related fields may choose to minor in applied gerontology.

The Department of Applied Gerontology always seeks to instill in students a sound understanding of the processes of aging, a commitment to staying informed about new developments and research, and a belief that the later years of life have intrinsic value and offer potential for human fulfillment. The imagination, knowledge and skills of professionals who embrace this philosophy will be increasingly necessary if American communities are to meet the needs of their growing population of older adults.

Research

While academic programs constitute the core of the department's activities, research also plays a vital role. Department faculty members currently are investigating:

• accessibility of health care delivery systems for adults and older adults
• long-term care policy
• mediation for professionals in aging
• images of aging in film and literature
• physical activity and the elderly
• sustainable senior communities
• senior re-engagement and volunteerism
• aging and developmental disabilities
• integrating community-based and residential services for the aged

Resources

In addition to its regular faculty members, the department uses community-based faculty members to enhance its curriculum. Guest lecturers and adjunct instructors (professionals from long-term care and retirement facilities, community-based programs for the elderly and government agencies) bring the best practice elements to the classroom. The department also has strong relationships with faculty in other departments within and outside the College of Public Affairs and Community Service.

UNT's libraries hold one of the country's most comprehensive collections of materials in the field of aging. The department also selects acquisitions for the Gerontological Film Collection, which includes more than 400 videotapes, films and slide sets. Items in the collection are available for rent to organizations and agencies throughout the United States.

Admission requirements

To enter UNT's master's program in applied gerontology, you must meet the requirements of the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies and specific program requirements. For a list of graduate school requirements and possible exceptions, see the graduate catalog at www.unt.edu/catalog, e-mail questions to gradsch@unt.edu or call 940-565-2383 or (888) UNT-GRAD.

Acceptable scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination are required. International students whose native language is not English may substitute completion of UNT's Graduate Preparation course for their GRE verbal score. No specific undergraduate major is required, but 3 hours of social gerontology are a prerequisite for all master's degree candidates. The prerequisite may be taken concurrently with courses applying to the master's degree.

To enter the doctoral program, you must meet the admission requirements of the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies, including an earned master's degree with a 3.4 GPA or better and acceptable scores on the GRE's verbal and quantitative sections. You must also have completed at least 9 graduate semester hours in gerontology and 3 hours of research methods, submit a five-page essay/statement of purpose and submit four letters of recommendation to the department.

Degree requirements

M.A. and M.S. degrees

The Department of Applied Gerontology's master's degree program prepares you for a career in gerontology. The 45-semester-hour program includes 9 hours of core courses in aging, up to 6 hours of credit for an internship in a facility or agency serving older people and 3 hours of credit for a capstone seminar on application of theory to practice.

You can earn an M.A. or an M.S. in long-term care, senior housing and aging services; or in general studies in aging.

The long-term care, senior housing and aging services curriculum prepares you to become an administrator of residential facilities for the elderly (including skilled nursing facilities, continuing care retirement communities, assisted-living facilities and retirement housing properties) and of community-based and government agencies that plan and deliver services for older people (including adult protective services, advocacy groups, recreational programs, home health care agencies, etc.). To complete degree requirements, long-term care, senior housing and aging services students take core-required and LSHA-required courses, including classes in computer applications, health delivery systems, housing for the elderly, needs assessment, financial issues and administration of programs for the aging.

The general studies in aging (GSAG) major is for individuals already working in the field of aging and for students with highly individualized interests and career plans. It allows the selection of supporting courses in such areas as adult education, health promotion, psychology, public administration, recreation, sociology and others. To complete degree requirements, you take core-required, GSAG-required and elective courses, including classes in retirement preparation, minority aging, housing for the elderly, ethical issues and theories of aging. With the major adviser's approval, you may select up to 12 hours in a minor field of study that complements the major.

Ph.D. degree

The Ph.D. in applied gerontology enables you to master the gerontological theories, knowledge and research techniques necessary to make and advocate for policies responsive to the special needs of older people. Doctoral students must complete 60 semester hours beyond the master's degree, including foundation core courses, a concentration in a focused area of interest, electives and dissertation, plus 9 hours in a research tool subject.

Under the direction of an advisory committee, you must write a dissertation that represents original research and is a significant contribution to the discipline of gerontology in your area of concentration. You must orally defend a dissertation proposal that meets with the approval of the advisory committee before the dissertation is written. The completed dissertation must also be defended before the committee.

Specialist certificate

The Department of Applied Gerontology's graduate-level specialist certificate program is for health and human service professionals wishing to complement their existing knowledge and skills with an understanding of aging and services for the aged. Faculty of two- and four-year colleges and universities and doctoral candidates in other fields also may find the specialist certificate a valuable addition to their academic credentials. The 15-semester-hour program includes the core courses in aging plus Social Gerontology (AGER 5700) and 3 elective hours in aging.

Financial assistance

Various types of academic- and need-based financial assistance are available from the department and the university. Several departmental scholarships are awarded each year on the basis of merit and potential for achievement. Research assistantships associated with faculty projects are often available, and doctoral students may apply for teaching assistantships and fellowships.

Half-time assistantships carry medical insurance benefits. Also, out-of-state and international students who receive half-time assistantships or many kinds of fellowships and scholarships become eligible to pay in-state tuition.

New graduate students who have participated in Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate programs are eligible for McNair fellowships that pay $12,667 for the first year plus one semester of graduate study. Contact the graduate school at (888) UNT-GRAD, e-mail gradsch@unt.edu or visit www.gradschool.unt.edu for information about McNair fellowships.