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Gerontology, M.S.

Never in human history have so many lived for so long. The diverse needs of an aging population demand an age-educated workforce, and McDaniel's gerontology program prepares you to meet this demand.

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Degree Types
Master's , Graduate Certificate
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Program Cost
$19,060
Key
Format
In Person , Hybrid , Online
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Total credits
36

About the Program

This flexible program gives you the skills needed to care for the elderly and the knowledge to inform policy, advise health organizations and assess gerontological research. Your program will prepare you for a leadership position in the public or private sector where gerontological knowledge is essential. Because gerontology intersects with so many disciplines, the opportunities for career advancement are broad. 

Key Outcomes

Throughout the program, you will:

• Better understand the complex interrelations among health, aging and social structures

• Apply your knowledge through a capstone or thesis that will establish you as an expert 

• Gain experience by accessing our Center for Study of the Aging

Why McDaniel for Gerontology

We’ve designed our program to make sure it meets the needs of today’s aspiring leaders.

  • Flexibility. The program can be completed 100% online, 100% in-person or as a hybrid 
  • Affordability. Our competitive tuition puts a degree within your reach
  • Professional Opportunity. You'll have the opportunity to present at national conferences and establish yourself in your field as an expert

Requirements for an M.S. in Gerontology Degree

Admissions Requirements

  • Completed application for graduate study.
  • Official transcript verifying completion of an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.50.
  • Three official professional or academic letters of recommendation. These requests will be emailed directly to the recommenders through your application.
  • Letter of intent detailing personal and professional goals relative to the program of study.

Degree Requirements

  • Successful completion of 36 credits hours outlined in the curriculum
  • Minimum 3.0 G.P.A.
  • Successful completion of capstone or thesis

Requirements for a Specialist in Aging Certificate

Admissions Requirements

  • Completed application for graduate study.
  • Official transcript verifying completion of an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university 
  • Letter of intent detailing personal and professional goals relative to the program of study.

Degree Requirements

  • Successful completion of 18 credits hours outlined in the curriculum
  • Minimum 3.0 G.P.A.

Get Info

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Apply

This program begins in Fall, Summer, and Spring. 

Start Your Application

Have Questions?

Contact the Program Coordinator. 

Dan Andersen, Program Coordinator

dandersen@mcdaniel.ed

Request More Info

Special Opportunities

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Access to the Center for the Study of Aging

The Center for the Study of Aging is a comprehensive entity that serves as the central location for all members of the Carroll County community and the region to work together in support of the aging population. The CSA is the clearinghouse in the community for the study of aging issues and the source for innovative educational opportunities.

Advancing Your Career

Our M.S. in Gerontology alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers at organizations like:

  • Bell Family YMCA Inc
  • Brightview of Westminster LLC
  • Cardiovascular Consultants, Inc.
  • Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services
  • Central Virginia Area Agency On Aging Inc
  • In Home Care Inc
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Partners Achieving Independence
  • The National Institute For Fitness and Sport Inc

Our Alumni Work in these occupations:

  • Medical and Health Services Managers
  • General and Operations Managers
  • Social and Human Service Assistants
  • Chief Executives
  • Sales Managers
Students using computers in a computer lab.

Applying Your Skills Putting Knowledge to Work Meet a Green Terror

Kristina Bostley is putting her education to work, launching a website called Understanding Alzheimer's. Using machine learning plus user preference, data, and history to adjust the content based on the health literacy levels of our users, her site (UnderstandingDiseases.org) was created as an umbrella to host individual sections about various diseases. For the pilot, Kristina and her team focused on Alzheimer's disease. Featuring three different "hidden" sets of content, users will be served one using machine learning (based on user preference/data/history). Users will also be able to adjust the different levels themselves. Putting the skills she's developing through her program to work in a way that impacts the lives of others, Kristina is demonstrating what it means to be a Green Terror.

See Kristin's Pilot Website

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