Master's Degree in General Studies in Aging (GSAG)

The master's degree program prepares students for professional careers in the field of gerontology, including administration of long-term care, senior housing, and other services for the aging. The GSAG major is designed both for individuals who are already working in the field of aging and for students with highly individualized interests and career or educational plans. The 45 semester-hour program includes 9 semester hours of core courses in aging, 15-18 semester hours of required coursework in the student’s major, 3-6 semester hours of credit for an internship in a facility or agency serving older people, and 3 semester hours of credit for a capstone seminar on applications in practice. The balance of the degree is comprised of elective coursework. With its broader academic emphasis, the General Studies in Aging major’s required courses emphasize gerontological theory and key areas of investigation within the field retirement, including retirement, minority aging and ethics. Elective possibilities include adult education, health promotion, psychology, public administration, recreation, sociology, and others extend the knowledge of aging gained in core courses. A 500-clock-hour (3 semester credit hour) internship is required for the GSAG major.