The University Gerontology Center is administered through the College of Nursing.

Center Office: 316 College of Nursing, 581-8198

Mailing Address: 10 S. 2000 E. Front, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5880

Web Address: www.nurs.utah.edu/programs/gerontology.htm.

Director, Dale A. Lund, Ph.D.

Other Administrators: Michael S. Caserta, Ph.D., Practicum Coordinator; Scott, D. Wright, Ph.D., Coordinator of Graduate Studies.

Faculty

Professor. D. Lund.

Associate Professors. M. Caserta, S. Wright.

Associate Professor Emerita. J. Kasteler.

Associate Professor (Clinical). J. Nordgren.

Assistant Professor (Clinical). Y. Sehy.

Research Assistant Professor. D. Beach.

Adjunct Professor. A. Barusch.

Adjunct Associate Professor. J.R. Connelly.

Adjunct Assistant Professors. D. Poulton, S. Salari, J. Wright.

Adjunct Instructors. D. Adams, K. Dansie, A. Dresel, K. Girton, H. Goddard, J. LeBer, D. McFall, B. Rigby, S. Rossa, S. Sinclair.

Additional faculty are drawn from departments campuswide.

Gerontology Center

As a basic and applied science, gerontology examines specific changes in older individuals as well as the broader social issues confronting them. The center's theme of “promoting optimal aging and intergenerational relationships throughout the life course” influences the teaching, research, and service activities. The center offers two programs: the Master of Science, approved by the Board of Regents in 1993, and the Certificate in Gerontology (undergraduate and graduate) for matriculated or nonmatriculated students. The master's program is one of the nation's few and Utah's only state-assisted program. For additional information about these programs, contact the Gerontology Center or visit the gerontology Web site at www.nurs.utah.edu/gerontology.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance is available to qualified graduate and certificate students. For information about financial assistance, please contact the University's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, 105 Student Services Building.

Some scholarships are available through the Gerontology Center. For information, contact the center director at (801)581-8198.

Western Regional Graduate Program

The center participates in the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) coordinated by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming are participants. Eligible graduate students may enroll at resident tuition rates. There are no financial eligibility criteria to be met.

Master of Science (M.S.) Degree

The Master of Science Degree program is designed to prepare individuals to work in programs related to aging or older adults. Graduate students in gerontology come from a wide variety of undergraduate fields of study and are interested in pursuing careers as administrators, practitioners, service providers, researchers, or educators in the field of aging.

The University of Utah Gerontology Center theme underlying research, teaching, and service activities is, “Providing leadership in the field of gerontology and promoting optimal aging and intergenerational relationships throughout the life course.”

Specialization. Four areas of concentration are available to Master of Science degree students in gerontology. The areas of concentration include the following:

Research and Evaluation This area of concentration will prepare students to (1) design and implement research studies in aging, (2) design and conduct evaluations of aging-related programs, (3) interpret and critique research and evaluations of aging programs, and (4) understand and appreciate the unique features of doing research and evaluation with older populations.

Long-Term Care and Aging Services Administration This area of concentration will prepare students to (1) apply administrative knowledge and skill to lead and coordinate the work required for an aging-related health care facility, agency, or organization; (2) promote understanding of the complexity of the normal aging process and as affected by acute and chronic pathological processes; (3) be familiar with the array of services that represent long-term care; and (4) sit for the Nursing Home Administrator Licensing Examination. Those students wising to qualify for licensure as nursing home administrators will need to complete requirements associated with the Administration in Training. These hours “in training” may count toward practicum requirements.

Educational Gerontology and Lifelong Learning This area of concentration is designed to provide academic experience for graduate students interested in the field of adult education that encompasses a vast array of learning environments in universities, community colleges, the corporate sector, and other continuing education sites. In addition to the core curriculum in Gerontology, graduate students are encouraged to select courses from other designated departments to enhance their skills in working with adults in educational settings.

Geriatric Care Management This area of concentration will prepare students to practice as professional geriatric care managers in a variety of settings. Students are prepared to (1) perform comprehensive individualized assessments of elders and their families; (2) develop plans of care; (3) identify care and service options; (4) make referrals for financial, legal, social, and health care services; (5) coordinate and monitor care and services obtained; (6) evaluate and modify care management plans; and (7) provide education, support, and advocacy for older clients and their families. Students desiring to be nationally certified must complete the program specialty didactic and clinical practicum requirements and meet eligibility requirements to take a national certification examination.

Admission. Students must be admitted to the Graduate School of the University of Utah and separately to the Gerontology Center Program. The admission process includes filing the Application for Admission to Graduate School. The completed application is returned to the same office. Applications to the Graduate School must be completed and filed no later than March 1.

Applications to the Gerontology Center can be obtained from the Gerontology Center, Room 316, College of Nursing. The completed application must be returned to the center no later than April 1. Applicants admitted to the program will be matriculated the following fall semester or summer term with approval from the center's coordinator of graduate studies. Admission requirements are:

1. Baccalaureate degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
2. Satisfactory achievement, within the past 5 years, on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
3. Written statement of professional goals related to gerontology and the selected area of gerontology specialization.
4. Three personal/professional letters of reference.
5. Interview for the applicant may be requested by either the graduate admissions committee or the applicant.
6. International applicants must also complete the following:

   file an International Student Application for Admission, obtained from the International Admissions Office, 250 Student Services Building;

   provide evidence of successful completion of the Test of Spoken English and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 500; and
   interview with Gerontology Center Admissions Committee faculty.

Curriculum. The M.S. Program requires students to complete a minimum of 33 credit hours consisting of 16-18 core credits, 9-12 elective credits, and 6 thesis credits or 4 master's project credits.

Core Courses. Students in all areas of specialization must complete the core curriculum and a thesis or master's project.

GERON 6001, Introduction to Gerontology (3)
GERON 6002, Service Agencies and Programs for the Elderly (3)
GERON 6003, Research Methods in Aging (3)
GERON 6004, Adult Transitions (3)
GERON 6370, Health and Optimal Aging (3)
GERON 6990, Gerontology Practicum (3)

In addition to the core curriculum, each student must complete a thesis or master's project. A student electing the master's project is required to take additional credit hours of elective courses.

GERON 6970, Thesis Research-Master's (2-6) or GERON 6975, Master*'s Project (2-4)

Elective Courses. In addition to the core curriculum, a variable number (based on area of specialization) of elective courses must be completed.
GERON 5140, Communication and Aging (3)
GERON 5220, Caregiving and Aging Families (3)
GERON 5240, Aging in American Film (3)
GERON 6230, Information Retrieval and Management for Health Professionals (3)
GERON 6320, Death, Dying, and Bereavement (3)
GERON 6380, Retirement Planning and Adjustment (3)
GERON 6390, Geriatric Care Management (2)
GERON 6395, Geriatric Care Management Seminar and Practicum (1)
GERON 6400, Gerontology Research (1-3)
GERON 6604, Physiology and Psychology of Aging (2)
GERON 6950, Independent Study (1- 3)
GERON 6960, Special Topics (3)

Other Electives. Each area of concentration has a set of approved electives. Please consult the Master of Science Degree in Gerontology Graduate Student Handbook for a list of approved electives and additional course requirements for each of the areas of specialization. Students wishing to take the licensing examination for Nursing Home Administration need to carefully plan their program of study in consultation with the center's coordinator of graduate studies. Elective course selection is to be approved by the Supervisory Committee or Gerontology Center Coordinator of Graduate Studies.

Certificate Program

The Certificate Program in Gerontology is designed for persons who want to work in the field of aging, those already active in the field, and those who want to apply gerontology to their current field of study. The program is open to matriculated and nonmatriculated undergraduate and graduate students, as well as individuals with a graduate degree and to all persons working in the aging field. The certificate program is flexible in nature, offers direct experience through a supervised field practicum, and opportunities to learn the research process by working directly with faculty.

Specialization. Areas of specialization include social-service delivery, administration and planning, research and evaluation, and human development. Students interested in specific careers in gerontology should contact the center's coordinator of graduate studies to plan an individualized program of study.

Admission. The certificate program is open to all matriculated upper-division baccalaureate, graduate, and postgraduate students, as well as nonmatriculated students working in the field of aging. All applicants must:

1. Submit a completed Gerontology Certificate Program Admission form.
2. Submit an official copy of all transcripts.

The Gerontology Admissions Committee reviews applications and admits participants throughout the year.

Undergraduate Certificate Curriculum. Students complete a total of 12 credit hours of core and elective courses, including a 3-credit hour practicum.

Core Courses.
GERON 3001, Experience of Aging (3)
or
GERON 5001, Introduction to Gerontology (3)
GERON 5002, Service Agencies and Programs for Elderly (3)
GERON 5990, Practicum (3)

Gerontology Practicum. At least one core course should be completed prior to enrolling in the practicum. The practicum requires 150 clock hours and can be a research or teaching experience or placement in a public or private community service setting.

Elective Courses. Students must complete two elective courses for a total of 6 credit hours. One of the two courses must be a course taught through the Gerontology Center (GERON prefix). A list of these courses is presented below. Students who take GERON 3001, Experiences of Aging (3), as a core course can take GERON 5001, Introduction to Gerontology (3), as an elective, and those who take GERON 5001 as a core can take GERON 3001 as an elective. The second elective course can be either a Gerontology Center-offered course or a course offered through another department on campus, as long as it is approved by the center's curriculum committee. Students who have previous aging-related work experience (paid or unpaid) can petition the practicum coordinator to waive 1 credit hour (50 clock hours) of the required practicum, thereby reducing the undergraduate certificate required credit hours to 14.
GERON 3001, Experiences of Aging (3)
GERON 3050, Aging: Self, Family and Society (Telecourse) (3)
GERON 3220/5220 Caregiving and Aging Families (3)
GERON 3240, Aging in American Film (3)
GERON 3280/5280, Lifelong Learning/Learning for Life (Independent Study) (3)
GERON 5001, Introduction to Gerontology (3)
GERON 5003, Research Methods in Aging (3)
GERON 5004, Adult Transitions (3)
GERON 5140, Communication and Aging (cross-listed with COMM 5140) (3)
GERON 5230, Information Retrieval and Management for Health Professionals (3)
GERON 5320, Death, Dying and Bereavement (3)
GERON 5370, Health and Optimal Aging (3)
GERON 5390, Geriatric Care Management (2)
GERON 5395, Geriatric Care Management Seminar and Practicum (1)
GERON 5400, Gerontology Research - Independent Study (1-3)
GERON 5950, Independent Study (1-3)
GERON 5960, Special Topics (3)
GERON 5990, Practicum (1-3)

Graduate Certificate Curriculum. Students complete a total of 18 credit hours of core and elective courses, including a 3-credit hour practicum.

Core Courses.
GERON 6001, Introduction to Gerontology (3)
and two of the following three courses:
GERON 6002, Service Agencies and Programs for Elderly (3)
GERON 6004, Adult Transitions (3)
GERON 6990, Practicum (3)

Elective Courses. Students must complete three elective courses for a total of 9 credit hours. Two of the three courses must be a course taught through the Gerontology Center (GERON prefix). A list of these courses is presented below. The third elective can be either a Gerontology Center-offered course or a course offered through another department on campus, as long as it is approved by the center's curriculum committee. Students also can complete additional practicum credits (1-3 credits) that count toward the elective requirement. Each student should meet with the practicum coordinator to discuss the potential merits of completing a practicum experience.
GERON 5140, Communication and Aging (cross-listed with COMM 5140) (3)
GERON 5240, Aging in American Film (3)
GERON 5280, Lifelong Learning/Learning for Life (Independent Study) (3)
GERON 5220 Caregiving and Aging Families (3)
GERON 6002, Service Agencies and Programs for the Elderly (3)
GERON 6003, Research Methods in Aging (3)
GERON 6004, Adult Transitions (3)
GERON 6230, Information Retrieval and Management for Health Professionals (3)
GERON 6320, Death, Dying and Bereavement (3)
GERON 6370, Health and Optimal Aging (3)
GERON 6390, Geriatric Care Management (2)
GERON 6395, Geriatric Care Management Seminar and Practicum (1)
GERON 6400, Gerontology Research - Independent Study (1-3)
GERON 6950, Independent Study (1-3)
GERON 6960, Special Topics (3)
GERON 6990, Practicum (1-3)

Certificate of Completion for Nonmatriculated Students. Individuals interested in earning an undergraduate or graduate certificate in gerontology but who are not working toward a degree at the University of Utah can complete the above requirements (either undergraduate or graduate level) and earn a Certificate of Completion in Gerontology. Most of the center's courses are offered through the University's Academic Outreach and Continuing Education division; registration for these courses also occurs through Academic Outreach and Continuing Education. If the applicant does not hold a B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited school, an Undergraduate Certification of Completion can be earned. If the applicant holds a B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited school, application can be made for either an Undergraduate or Graduate Certificate of Completion.

GERON Course Descriptions