Gerontology
Edwin Rosenberg, Program Director and Professor
Ph.D., University of Southern California
Sociology, Gerontology
Lorin A. Baumhover, Chairperson of Department of Sociology and Social Work,
and Professor
Ph.D., Colorado State University
Sociology, Gerontology
W. Edward Folts, Professor
Ph.D., University of Florida
Sociology, Gerontology
Two graduate degrees in Gerontology are offered:
(1) M.A. in Gerontology (Major Code: 245A)
(2) M.A. in Gerontology (Major Code: 256*) with three concentrations:
(a) Counseling (Code: 256B)
(b) Lifespan Transitions (Code: 256D)
(c) Program Administration (Code: 256C)
The Department of Sociology and Social Work also offers a graduate certificate
in Gerontology (245A). For more information, contact the Program Director at
828-262-6146 or visit our website at www.aging.appstate.edu.
The Gerontology program, housed in the Department of Sociology and Social Work,
prepares persons to enter positions requiring graduate-levelknowledge and
skills in the field of aging. The program emphasizes knowledge about the
psychological, sociological, and biological processes of normal aging as they
affect the diverse and rapidly growing population of older adults in the
state and the nation. Theory, research and professional career preparation are
emphasized, as is the knowledge and understanding of various public policies
implemented through existing federal and state programs.
Prerequisites:
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
Basic Criteria for Consideration:
Cumulative Undergraduate GPA: 2.75
GRE Verbal + GRE Quantitative = 900 or higher
Other Criteria for All Applicants:
3 letters of recommendation that evaluate past and projected academic and/or
employment performance
Current resume
Deadline:
1 July for Fall/ 1 November for Spring
Some courses may require prerequisites. It is the responsibility of the
candidate to meet all prerequisites. The candidate's undergraduate program
must have included a course in statistical methods and a course in research
methods. Candidates who are deficient in these or any other undergraduate
prerequisites must take the equivalent course(s).
NOTES:
An advisor will supervise each candidate's program of study and will
recommend to the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research any exceptions
and/or substitutions when necessary.
Candidates for both degrees must demonstrate an understanding of research
procedures and show proficiency in interpreting data in various formats
through prescribed courses. Each student must complete the required course
in research problems, and must either complete an additional course in
research problems or write a thesis.
MASTER OF ARTS IN GERONTOLOGY
Major Code: 245A
Hours: 30 semester hours with thesis; 36 semester hours without thesis
Required Courses:
BIO 5563 Biology of Aging.........................................3
HPC 5680 Counseling the Aging.....................................3
PSY 5562 Psychology of Adulthood and Aging........................3
SOC 5110 Research Problems I (or an equivalent course in
a cooperating discipline)................................3
SOC 5400 Sociology of Adult Development and Aging.................3
SOC 5420 Health Care and Aging....................................3
SOC 5900 Field Experience/Internship..............................3
SUBTOTAL HOURS................................................21
Electives:
Courses currently approved for electives include, but are not limited to,
the following:
FCS 5110 Practical Issues in Family Develepment..............3
FCS 5210 Nutrition for the Elderly...........................3
FCS 5315 Housing for the Elderly.............................3
FCS 5551 Families in Later Life..............................3
HCM 5560 Issues in Health Care Administration................3
HPC 5220 Counseling Theory and Techniques....................3
HPC 5790 Group Methods and Processes.........................3
HPC 5850 Theory and Practice of Reality Therapy..............3
P S 5180 Public Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation.......3
P S 5360 Public Personnel Administration.....................3
P S 5665 Public Management...................................3
R M 5560 Leisure and Aging...................................3
SOC 5530-5549 Selected Topics...................................1-4
S W 5555 Death, Dying and Living.............................3
Thesis Option:
SOC 5999 Thesis.................................................3-6
Electives.......................................................3-6
(chosen with advice and approval of the Program Director)
TOTAL HOURS...................................................30
Non-thesis Option:
SOC 5990 Research Problems II (or an equivalent course in
a cooperating discipline)................................3
Electives........................................................12
(chosen with advice and approval of the Program Director)
TOTAL HOURS...................................................36
Note: Courses meeting the requirements for Field Experience/Internship,
Research Problems, Thesis and Independent Research Study may be taken,
where available, in any of the cooperating disciplines with the approval
of the Program Director.
Language Proficiency: None required
Comprehensive: Each candidate must successfully complete a written
comprehensive examination.
Product of Learning: None required
MASTER OF ARTS IN GERONTOLOGY
Major Code: 256*
Concentrations: Counseling (Code: 256B)
Lifespan Transitions (Code: 256D)
Program Administration (Code: 256C)
Hours: 33 semester hours with thesis; 36 semester hours without thesis
Required Courses:
BIO 5563 Biology of Aging.........................................3
HPC 5680 Counseling the Aging.....................................3
PSY 5562 Psychology of Adulthood and Aging........................3
SOC 5110 Research Problems I (or an equivalent course in a
cooperating discipline)..................................3
SOC 5400 Sociology of Adult Development and Aging.................3
SOC 5420 Health Care and Aging....................................3
SOC 5900 Field Experience/Internship..............................3
SUBTOTAL HOURS................................................21
Thesis Option:
SOC 5999 Thesis.................................................3-6
Concentration hours (minimum)..................................9-12
(chosen from list below with advice and approval of the
Program Director)
TOTAL HOURS...................................................33
Non-thesis Option:
SOC 5990 Research Problems II (or an equivalent course in a
cooperating discipline)..................................3
Concentration hours (minimum)..................................9-12
(chosen from list below with advice and approval of the
Program Director)
Elective hours..................................................0-3
TOTAL HOURS...................................................36
Note: Courses meeting the requirements for Field Experience/Internship,
Research problems, Thesis and Independent Research Study may be taken,
where available, in any of the cooperating disciplines with the
approval of the Program Director.
Concentrations:
A concentration consists of a minimum of 9-12 semester hours, selected from
the following:
a. Counseling: (Code: 256B)
HPC 5220 Counseling Theory and Techniques......................3
HPC 5790 Group Methods and Processes...........................3
HPC 5850 Theory and Practice of Reality Therapy................3
b. Lifespan Transitions: (Code: 256D)
FCS 5110 Practical Issues in Family Development................3
FCS 5210 Nutrition for the Elderly.............................3
FCS 5315 Housing for the Elderly...............................3
FCS 5551 Families in Later Life................................3
c. Program Administration: (256C)
P S 5180 Public Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation.........3
P S 5360 Public Personnel Administration.......................3
P S 5665 Public Management.....................................3
Other courses currently approved for concentrations include, but are not
limited to, the following:
FCS 5110 Practical Issues in Family Development...........3
FCS 5210 Nutrition for the Elderly........................3
FCS 5315 Housing for the Elderly..........................3
FCS 5551 Families in Later Life...........................3
HCM 5560 Issues in Health Care Administration.............3
HPC 5220 Counseling Theory and Techniques.................3
HPC 5790 Group Methods and Processes......................3
HPC 5850 Theory and Practice of Reality Therapy...........3
P S 5180 Public Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation....3
P S 5360 Public Personnel Administration..................3
P S 5500 Independent Study..............................1-3
P S 5665 Public Management................................3
R M 5560 Leisure and Aging................................3
SOC 5530-5549 Selected Topics................................1-4
S W 5555 Death, Dying and Livin...........................3
Additional concentrations may be developed and added to the program.
Thesis: Optional
Language Proficiency: None required
Comprehensive: Each candidate must successfully complete a written
comprehensive examination.
Product of Learning: None required