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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 Center
on Aging. For information, contact the Center Office at
(801)581-8198.
Western Regional Graduate Program
The Gerontology program 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.
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 skills 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
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 wishing
to qualify for licensure as nursing home administrators will
need to complete requirements associated with the
Administration in Training license. 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 community 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
Program. The admission process includes filing the
Application for Admission to Graduate School (see web site
or request form) with the University Admissions Office, 250
Student Services Building and the Gerontology Program, room
591 CON (College of Nursing). The University of Utah
Graduate School Application Form can be obtained directly
from that office and needs to be returned to that office no
later than March 1, to be considered for our program. The
deadline for application to the Gerontology
Interdisciplinary Program is April 1 for fall semester
admission. A $20.00 processing fee is required with all
applications (payable to the Gerontology Interdisciplinary
Program). A separate application fee is required by the
Graduate School. All students who apply to the Gerontology
Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (Master’s Degree) by
April 1, and are accepted into the Program, will be
considered as matriculated for a Fall Semester start-up.
However, these new graduate students may request to be
matriculated in the Summer Session immediately following
their acceptance into the Gerontology Master’s Degree
program provided that they meet with the Director of
Graduate Studies for consultation prior to summer
registration for coursework. Those who plan to begin in the
Summer Session must indicate a summer start date on their
initial Graduate School application form. Decisions for
admission into the Master’s program are usually made by
mid-May.
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). GRE scores are sent
directly to the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program (GRE
code is 2207). Please contact Testing Center for more
information 801-581-8744 or www.saff.utah.edu/testing.
3. Written statement of professional goals related to
gerontology and the selected area of gerontology
specialization.
4. Three personal/professional letters of reference.
References from outside the Program (those other than core
gerontology faculty) that are relevant to your academic
and/or professional experiences are encouraged.
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:
a. file an International Student Application for Admission,
obtained from the International Admissions Office, 250
Student Services Building;
b. provide evidence of successful completion of the Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score
of 500; and
c. interview with Gerontology Program Admissions Committee
faculty.
Curriculum. The M.S. Program requires students to
complete a minimum of 33 to 34 credit hours consisting of 15
core credits, 6-15 elective credits depending on the area of
specialization, 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, Services and Programs for Older Adults (3)
GERON 6003, Research Methods in Aging (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 5005, Race, Ethnicity, and Aging (3)
GERON 5140, Communication and Aging (3)
GERON 5220, Caregiving and Aging Families (3)
GERON 6320, Death, Dying, and Bereavement (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 6604, Physiology and Psychology of Aging (2-3)
GERON 6950, Independent Study (1- 3)
GERON 6960, Special Topics (3)
(Examples: Applications of Positive Psychology for Older
Adults; International Dimensions of Lifelong Learning; The
Continuum of Long Term Care; Seminar Series on Aging.
Consult with program director for other offerings).
Other Electives. Each area of specialization 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 Program Director
or the student’s Supervisory Committee. Elective course
selection is to be approved by the Supervisory Committee or
Gerontology Program Director.
Certificate Program - 15 credits (Undergraduate and
Graduate) 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
certificate is also available in an online format
(Blackboard/WebCT) and accessible through the internet to
students regardless of geographical location. The program is
open to matriculated and nonmatriculated undergraduate and
graduate students, as well s 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.
Online Certificate (Blackboard/WebCT)
(Undergraduate and Graduate)
The online certificate in Gerontology was approved by the
Board of Regents in June 2001. The Gerontology Program
offers 5 courses (or 15 credits total) in a web-based venue.
One of the courses (GERON 2050) serves as a General
Education Foundation Course in the Social Science Area.
Individuals can pursue the certificate at the University of
Utah without traveling to campus and thus is available to
anyone on campus and throughout the state, region, and
across the country. The Gerontology Program is the leader
for distance education in the field of aging in the
Intermountain West. For more information see
www.aging.utah.edu/gerontology.
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
Gerontology Faculty members for more information 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. The online certificate
application procedure is the same. All applicants must:
1.Submit a completed Gerontology Certificate Program
Admission form (available at www.aging.utah.edu/gerontology)
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 15 credit hours of core and elective
courses, including a 3-credit hour practicum.
Core Courses
GERON 2050 (090)Aging: Concepts and Controversies (3) or
GERON 3001, Experience of Aging (3) or
GERON 5001, Introduction to Gerontology (3) plus
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 (50 clock hours per
credit hour) 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. This adds up to a
total of 15 credit hours for the entire certificate
requirement. One of the two elective courses must be a
course taught through the Gerontology Program (GERON
prefix). A list of these courses is presented below.
Students who take GERON 2050 (090) Aging: Concepts and
Controversies, or 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 (GERON) offered course or
a course offered through another department on campus, as
long as it is approved by the program’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 2050 (090) Aging: Concepts and Controversies
GERON 3001, Experiences of Aging (3)
GERON 3005, Race, Ethnicity & Aging (3)
GERON 3220/5220 Caregiving and Aging Families (3)
GERON 5001, Introduction to Gerontology (3)
GERON 5003, Research Methods in Aging (3)
GERON 5005, Race, Ethnicity, and Aging (3)
GERON 5140, Communication and Aging (cross-listed with COMM
5140) (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) (Examples: Applications of
Positive Psychology for Older Adults; International
Dimensions of Lifelong Learning; The Continuum of Long Term
Care; Seminar Series on Aging. Consult with program director
for other offerings)
GERON 5990, Practicum (1-3) (Students may petition to count
additional practicum as elective credit.)
Graduate Certificate Curriculum. Students complete a
total of 15 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 6370, Health and Optimal Aging (3)
GERON 6990, Practicum (3)
Elective Courses. Students must complete two elective
courses for a total of 6 credit hours. One of the two
courses must be one taught through the Gerontology Program (GERON
prefix). A list of these courses is presented below. The
second elective can be either a Gerontology-offered course
or a course approved by the Program’s curriculum committee.
Students also can complete 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 5005, Race, Ethnicity, and Aging (3)
GERON 5140, Communication and Aging (cross-listed with COMM
5140) (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 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 6604, Physiology and Psychology of Aging (2-3)
GERON 6950, Independent Study (1-3)
GERON 6960, Special Topics (3) (Examples: Applications of
Positive Psychology for Older Adults; International
Dimensions of Lifelong Learning; The Continuum of Long Term
Care; Seminar Series on Aging. Consult with program director
for other offerings)
GERON 6990, Practicum (1-3)
Online Undergraduate and Graduate Certificates
Those who earn the Online Undergraduate and Graduate
Certificates complete five courses. To be eligible for the
online graduate certificate, students must have already
earned a BA or BS degree from an accredited school and
complete the same application process as students in the
campus certificate programs. The following courses are
required for the undergraduate certificate: GERON 2050 (090)
–Aging: Concepts and Controversies; GERON 5001 (090) –Intro
to Gerontology; GERON 5002 (090) – Services and Programs for
Older Adults; GERON 5370 (090) –Health and Optimal Aging;
GERON 5990 (090) - Practicum. The following courses are
required for the graduate certificate: GERON 6001 (090)
–Intro to Gerontology; GERON 6002 (090) – Services and
Programs for Older Adults; GERON 6370 (090) – Health and
Optimal Aging; GERON 6400 (090) – Gerontology Research,
GERON 6990 (090) – Practicum.
Certificate for Non-Matriculated 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 in Gerontology. All non-matriculated
students must complete an additional form for
non-matriculated status through University of Utah, Office
of Admissions. If the applicant does not hold a B.S. or B.A.
degree from an accredited school, an Undergraduate
Certificate 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.
Certificate for Non-credit – Continuing Education
Students
The Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program does offer a
non-credit certificate in Gerontology. Please consult with
Program Director for more information.
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Gerontology 
