Aging Studies

Policies

Application Requirements

All applicants must submit the following documents to the College of Graduate Studies and Research in addition to all required university applications and documents.

1. Three unique letters of reference. Duplicate references (the same reference with a different referrer’s name) will lead to an automatic rejection of the application. References must be from academic or professional sources – no personal references will be accepted. Academic references may include course instructors, faculty mentors of research projects, academic internship supervisors, or faculty advisors. Professional references may include employment, non-academic internship, or volunteer experience supervisors.
2. An academic writing sample (2000-3000 words, in English).
3. A Personal Statement (500-1000 words, in English) on why the applicant wishes to pursue a graduate degree in Aging Studies at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and what career path they have in mind for its use.

Other Admission Requirements

For consideration during an upcoming term, all applications must be completely processed by July 15 for Fall term, November 15 for Spring term, and March 15 for Summer term.  Students should allow at least four weeks for application review and are advised to monitor their application process closely via the online application system to insure that they have submitted all required documents.  Admission requires a baccalaureate degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA. The GRE is not required.

Graduate Program Options in Aging Studies

The admission policies presented above are required for all of the Aging Studies graduate program offerings.  These include the MS Aging Studies, whether completed online or on-campus, the MS Aging Studies: Long-Term Care Leadership Emphasis, the Aging Studies Online Graduate Certificate, and the Graduate Certificate in Long-Term Care Administration and Leadership.  Students are strongly urged to thoroughly consider the requirements of each of these degree or certificate offerings prior to application to insure that they select the program that best fits their current and projected personal and professional needs.  Students my contact the program director for additional information.

Financial Assistance

Graduate assistantships and special funding opportunities in Aging Studies may be periodically available. In addition, a Rose M. Hull Scholarship recipient and a David and Darlene Janovy Summer Research on Aging Award recipient are selected through competitive applications each March. Contact the program director for current information relating to graduate or research assistantships and other funding opportunities.

MS Aging Studies Credit Requirements

One-half of the total credits for the MS Aging Studies and MS Aging Studies: Long Term Care Leadership Emphasis must be 600 level credits (excluding the thesis or alternate plan paper credits) whether the student selects the thesis or alternate plan paper option.  Alternate plan papers are highly structured and require the same process for proposal and final defenses as the thesis.  Internships or practicums are required for both degree options as is a 600 level research course.