Online Master’s Programs in Gerontology

What You'll Learn with a Online Master's in Gerontology and Career Potential

Population projections suggest that the number of U.S. adults over age 65 will reach 80 million by 2040. This will create demand for healthcare professionals who can treat aging populations. A gerontology degree emphasizes care methods and quality of life for aging individuals. Professionals in this field focus on both mental and physical health.

Geriatrics focuses specifically on medical care for aging populations. Gerontology graduates find careers in healthcare management, counseling, social work, and nursing. A master's degree in gerontology does not prepare candidates for geriatrician roles, which require a medical degree.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects much-faster-than-average growth for gerontology-related careers in 2020-2030. Health services managers enjoy 32% growth projections and nurse practitioners enjoy 45%. Nearly all gerontology careers require at least a bachelor's in gerontology degree. A master's can lead to many higher paying jobs. This page covers master's in gerontology degrees, including typical courses and career outcomes.

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What Can I Learn in an Online Master's in Gerontology Program?

Earning a gerontology degree online builds specialized skills related to aging population care. The list below highlights five typical gerontology courses. While course titles may differ among schools, general content should remain the same.

What Common Courses Are Offered in a Master's in Gerontology Program?

• Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Aging

  The class introduces foundational principles and theories of gerontology. Students explore various perspectives and approaches to aging, including demography, history, science, ethics, and medicine. General course topics may also include work, retirement, and living environments.

• Ethics and Aging

  Aging and death create ethical issues for caregivers and healthcare professionals. The class examines ethical dimensions of aging, including autonomy, elder abuse, long-term care, and end-of-life care.

• Physical Dimensions of Aging

  This class explores behavioral, physiological, and cognitive changes that characterize the aging process. Most courses emphasize the role of physical activity and its relationship to aging.

• Psychology of Aging

  This class highlights cognitive and behavioral changes that occur when people age. Students explore the later part of life as a developmental stage, examining topics like learning and memory.

• Elder Abuse Issues and Advocacy

  Aging populations are vulnerable to abuse, particularly in long-term care environments. The class highlights strategies for identifying and addressing elder abuse. It covers issues such as ethics and report reliability.

What Exams or Projects Should I Expect?

Graduation requirements for gerontology degrees vary among schools and programs. A master's degree in gerontology typically culminates in a capstone or thesis during the final semesters. These projects assess overall student learning and form a bridge to professional gerontology practice.

Capstone projects typically relate to practical elements of professional practice. A thesis serves students interested in research or academic careers.

What Specializations Are Available in a Master's in Gerontology Program?

Students earning their gerontology degree online can choose a specialization, preparing them for different career paths. The list below highlights five popular gerontology specialization tracks.

• Geriatric Care Management

  Geriatric care management focuses on best practices for managing healthcare for aging patients. The concentration includes healthcare administration classes, along with specialized topics related to geriatric care. Classes include public health issues across the lifespan, minority health and aging, and geriatric care and case management.

• Academia and Research

  While most tracks focus on patient care or healthcare administration, students can also focus on research. The concentration highlights the role of academic research in improving patient care practices. Learners focus on different parts of geriatric care, including administration, healthcare communication, or public policy.

• Long-Term Care Nursing

  A long-term care nursing concentration emphasizes skills for managing nursing homes, retirement communities, and other assisted living environments. Students explore the principles of healthcare delivery, medical ethics, and relationships between staff members and residents. The track may also focus on healthcare leadership, administration, and management.

• Geriatric Social Worker

  Geriatric social workers address aging-related issues in client populations, such as quality of life issues and elder abuse. The concentration trains students to advocate for clients' rights, including independence and dignity. Learners explore topics including client assessment, mental and physical health issues, and case and care management.

• Geropsychology

  Geropsychology applies psychological principles and methods to the needs of aging populations. The concentration highlights both broad psychology concepts and specialized topics in aging and gerontology. Classes include clinical psychology of aging, affect and lifespan development psychology, and psychological assessment methods.

What Can I Do With a Master's in Gerontology Degree?

Gerontology includes many career paths and professional roles. This list highlights just a few of the field's options.

• Gerontologist

  Gerontologists handle health issues related to aging, specializing in care for elderly patients. While not medical doctors, gerontologists may provide many of the same health services as medical professionals.

• Clinical Nurse Specialist

  Clinical nurse specialists hold advanced training in a specialized nursing practice area. Geriatric specialists treat elderly patients, dealing specifically with health issues related to aging.

• Geropsychologist

  A speciality psychology field, geropsychology addresses social, psychological, and biological changes related to adult development. Geropsychologists research, assess, and treat mental and behavioral problems that occur later in life.

• Mental Health Therapist

  Mental health therapists help patients with emotional, social, and behavioral issues. Geriatric therapists serve older patient populations, helping patients identify and address issues related to aging.

• Assisted Living Manager

  Assisted living managers coordinate services at retirement communities, nursing homes, and other assisted living facilities. They manage staff, oversee finances, coordinate care practices, and supervise the maintenance of facilities.

How Much Can I Make with a Career in Gerontology?

Students can follow many career paths after completing a master's degree in gerontology. This list highlights some of the most popular career paths for gerontology graduates.

• Geriatric Care Manager

  Working in medical and health services management, geriatric care managers typically perform administrative roles. They oversee health services for specific departments or entire healthcare practices. Care managers work closely with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate care. They oversee budgets, create schedules, and coordinate healthcare delivery protocols.

• Sociologist

  Sociologists look at social behavior in groups, organizations, and societies. Those with a gerontology background research the aging process and other issues relevant to aging populations. Sociologists advise on policy and make suggestions to improve quality of life. They often work with social services agencies, government organizations, and research institutions.

• Geriatric Social Worker

  Geriatric social workers help aging populations deal with everyday problems. They help clients adjust to major life changes such as divorce, unemployment, illness, or houselessness. Social workers offer mental health counseling and connect clients to other social services. They often work in human services agencies or mental health clinics.

• Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

  Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners use their specialized training to address common health problems in older patients. Nurse practitioners often treat patients directly, and in most states they can diagnose health problems and prescribe medications. They work in hospitals, doctors' offices, clinics, and other healthcare settings.

• Occupational Therapists

  Occupational therapists help patients with injuries, illnesses, and disabilities perform everyday activities. Therapists with a gerontology background help patients deal with age-related health problems and maintain their independence and autonomy. Occupational therapists evaluate patients' needs and develop a therapy treatment plan to help patients achieve their goals.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Online Master's in Gerontology Program Accreditation

When researching any gerontology degree online, make sure that both the school and the program hold proper accreditation. The accreditation process regulates schools and ensures they adhere to national education standards.

Accreditation comes in three types: regional, national, and programmatic. Regional accreditation serves four-year colleges, while national accreditation serves vocational and trade schools. Any school offering a master's degree in gerontology should hold regional accreditation, rather than national accreditation.

Programmatic accreditation evaluates individual programs within a certain field. For gerontology, look for either Accreditation for Gerontology Education Council or Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education accreditation.

How to Pay for a Master's in Gerontology Degree

Graduate students can find many funding options for their gerontology degree. This list outlines three common funding sources: loans, graduate assistantships, and financial support for military personnel and veterans.

Additional Resources

Gerontologists and other professionals in the field depend on different industry organizations to share knowledge. Many of these organizations offer memberships to graduate students pursuing gerontology degrees.

Online Master's in Gerontology Programs