Aging Studies (MS)

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Master of Science

Major Credits

34

Total Credits

34

Locations

Mankato

Career Cluster

Human Services

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Program Requirements

Common Core

This course will provide students with an integrated knowledge of theory and practice in gerontology and examine the challenges involved in studying and providing services to the elderly, as well as ethical and advocacy-related issues in an aging society.

Prerequisites: none

Research/Methods Course(s)

A 600-level research course from any department (3 credits) is required.

Restricted Electives

Social - Psychological - Choose 3 Credit(s).

An evolutionary and cross-cultural examination of the aging process, status, and treatment of the elderly.

Prerequisites: none

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Prerequisites: none

Social and social-psychological forces in later life. Problems and prospects of growing old in the United States.

Prerequisites: none

Study of the structure of human response to death, dying, and bereavement in their socio-cultural, interpersonal, and personal context. Formation of children's perception of death, functions of the funeral, euthanasia, and suicide are among the topics to be discussed.

Prerequisites: none

Bio Medical - Choose 3 Credit(s).

Cross-cultural examination of the response of peoples in non-Western societies to the human universal of illness. Non-Western concepts of disease, health, and treatment.

Prerequisites: none

Emphasis is placed on the biomedical aspects of aging and chronic disease. The course is designed for students majoring in biology, gerontology programs, or other health related programs.

Prerequisites: none

This course investigates the physical and mental health concerns of the aging process. Explores specific health problems confronting older persons, and examines preventive health behaviors and health maintenance practices.

Prerequisites: none

Policy/Applied Theory - Choose 3 Credit(s).

Engaging with the practice of policy development, understanding critical policies impacting the experience of aging, and learning how to become a policy entrepreneur will be the focus for this course. The course will also explore innovations in aging policy globally.

Prerequisites: none

Topics vary as announced in class schedule. May be retaken for credit if topic is different.

Prerequisites: none

This course will focus upon the critical examination of leadership in the context of organizations serving older populations. The course will include exploration of decisions, processes and ideas exhibited by transformational leaders in aging in the US and globally.

Prerequisites: none

Issues, resources, and processes in working with the elderly and their families in the social service system.

Prerequisites: none

Internship - Choose 6 Credit(s).

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Prerequisites: none

Unrestricted Electives

Choose 8 - 14 Credit(s). Note: SOC 517 is also listed as CORR 517

The system approach to analyzing family situations to make decisions and correlate resources in the resolution of family managerial problems. Emphasis on the application of managerial skills to lifestyle situations: young-families, elderly, special needs, singles, and low income.

Prerequisites: none

Overview of how facilities administer supports and services to the elderly, with an emphasis on state and federal laws and the delivery of care. Course addresses the organization, operations, services, and programs of long-term care facilities. Meets state education requirements for specific content area.

Prerequisites: none

Topic varies with offering. May be taken more than once.

Prerequisites: none

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Prerequisites: none

Explores the relationship of death concerns to the process of meaningful living. Utilizes a variety of learning strategies to examine death attitudes, values ,and related behaviors.

Prerequisites: none

Leisure as an integral aspect of successful aging is the focus of this course which includes: leisure in relation to physical, intellectual, social, and psychological aspects of aging and successful leisure programming in community based settings and in long term care.

Prerequisites: none

Implications of sociological knowledge for the administration of Human Services programs. Theoretical and practical aspects of administration with the social service systems.

Prerequisites: none

This course will address theoretical and practical aspects of the planning and evaluation process within social service systems. Evidence-based methods of developing programs and measuring their effectiveness in the human services will be addressed.

Prerequisites: none

Capstone Course

Choose thesis or APP - Choose 1 - 6 Credit(s).

Policies

  • In addition to all materials required by the University, applicants to graduate programs within the Aging Studies Program must submit: a) three (3) letters of reference; b) resume or curriculum vitae; c) cover letter or statement of purpose; and d) a sample of written work
  • Admission to the graduate programs in the Department generally requires a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the undergraduate degree, although applicants with a lower GPA may still be admitted depending on the strength of their other application materials.
  • Admission to the Aging Studies, MA program generally requires 24 quarter credits or 18 semester credits of sociology at the undergraduate level, including courses in research methods and statistics. Applicants who did not complete these courses may still be admitted if they can demonstrate adequate preparation through other means (e.g., research experience, professional development).
  • Applicants who meet Department admission standards are routinely admitted on a year-round basis and may begin coursework as soon as they are admitted. While it is ideal to start Department graduate program in the fall, a spring admission is possible as well.
  • All graduate students must complete either a thesis or an alternate plan paper (APP) capstone project. A thesis (GERO/SOC 699) is a significant project that entails original empirical data collection and analysis, while an APP (GERO/SOC 694) is an equally significant project that entails a thorough review of existing literatures. Students opting for a thesis capstone can apply up to 3 credits of GERO/SOC 699 toward their MS degree. Students opting for an APP can apply up to 2 credits of SOC 694 to their MS degree.
  • Graduate students must also assemble a group of 3 faculty members to serve as the examining committee for their thesis or APP capstone project. The committee is chaired by the graduate student’s advisor and includes two other faculty members, ideally including one from outside the Department of Sociology when possible.