Master of Science in Aging

The society is aging. According to projections from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, China will have the world’s oldest population by 2030, overtaking Japan as the proportion of people over 65.This shift has led to an increased demand for professionals with expertise in aging across all settings. Professionals in fields as diverse as engineering, business development, housing, construction, education, social services and more may benefit from knowing how to meet the needs of this rapidly growing population.

The Master of Science in aging explores the well-being of older adults in health care settings, home, work and their communities. The online Master of Science in aging prepares you to improve the well-being of our rapidly growing older adult population. Gaining expertise in this high-demand area can prepare you for a role in research, education, service delivery or administrative roles in a variety of settings. More experts in the field of Aging are needed worldwide due to the rapid growth of older adults globally. Earning a master’s in aging online is a convenient way to obtain a degree from anywhere in the world and is important for anyone who works with older adults.

The master’s in aging curriculum has been reviewed and approved by the National Association for Professional Gerontologists(NAPG). This organization offers the only professional credential specific to the field of gerontology. Upon completion of the program and confirmation of your degree, you are eligible and encouraged to apply for the gerontologist credential from the NAPG.

The Age-Friendly University(AFU) network consists of institutions of higher education around the globe who have endorsed the 10 AFU principles. These organizations have committed to becoming more age-friendly in their programs and policies. ASU is an age-friendly university recognized by the Gerontological Society of America. The college is also home to the Center for Innovation in Healthy and Resilient Aging and Center for Advancing Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research.

Gerontology is the study of aging.
The science of gerontology has evolved as people have begun to live longer. Older adults have diverse needs that will have to be addressed by professionals who are experts in the field of Aging. Note trained professionals would be at the BS level not the graduate level. Due to this variety of needs, areas of specialization are not only limited to health care. Experts in gerontology come from a range of backgrounds. Many have studied in areas like social sciences, health policy, psychology, journalism, social work, public health, architecture/ design, engineering, retirement planners, Insurance, business/ banking, humanities and the arts.

Care for aging populations
Caring for the well-being of aging populations takes many forms. Those with an interest in gerontology will study bodily and psychological changes from middle age to later life and examine how these changes can affect their daily lives. They may also study societal changes and trends as a result of the aging population.
In the Master of Science in aging, you will have the opportunity to develop the skills needed to work with a variety of professionals and the gain the expertise to promote the well-being of older adults.

During the program, you’ll learn the following:

• Perspectives on Aging and the Life Course
• Innovation and the Individual
• Diversity in Aging
• Caregiving Issues for Families and Professionals
• Financing for Innovation
• Interdisciplinary and Community Collaborations in Aging
• Administrative Systems Management in Aging
• Care Coordination across the Continuum of Care
• Interventions to Support Aging in Place
• Innovations in Program Development and Policy
• Information Technology for Health Care Innovation
• Applied Project

Throughout the program, you’ll be encouraged to pursue hands-on learning experiences in solving problems related to aging.Although the courses are online, you’ll be expected to participate in learning experiences outside of the classroom. For example, you may be expected to complete a site visit or interview an administrator at a long-term care facility.Or you may shadow an occupational therapist at a rehabilitation facility or interview older adults to learn about their needs.

Due to the aging of our population, job growth is expected to continue in fields related to the well-being of older adults.

Upon graduation, you may choose to pursue a research, administrative or consultant role in one of the following settings:

• Home Care Services Industry.
• In the field of education related to gerontology.
• Senior Care Industry.
• Geriatric Health Care Industry.
• Accountant office.
• Acute care facility.
• Alzheimer’s disease research facility.
• Assisted living facility.
• Banking.
• Community-based care center.
• Construction.
• Dental office.
• Economic security department.
• Homeless center.
• Housing services.
• Law enforcement.
• Law firm.
• Nonprofit organization.
• Nursing home.
• Older adult housing.
• Primary care facility.
• Rehabilitation center.
• Utility company.
• Veteran’s affairs hospital or care center.
• Or any other setting specifically related to your undergraduate degree.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree, in any field, from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00 = “A”) in the last 60 semester hours of a first bachelor’s degree for standard admission. Or applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00 = “A”) in an applicable master’s degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• Proof of English Proficiency: International applicants will need to have a TOEFL score of 100 or greater to meet English proficiency. They may also have an 80% or greater in the Arizona State University Global Launch’s English for Graduate Admissions course (preferred).

• Graduate admission application and application fee.

• Personal statement in response to three questions(See below).

• Official transcripts.

• One name of professional references, along with his/her email address.

• Resume or curriculum vitae.

All candidates must provide a personal statement addressing the following three questions:
• What specific outcomes would you like to accomplish or achieve through the MS in aging program?
• Discuss any formal and informal education related to aging.
• How will the MS in aging assist you in achieving your professional goals over the next five years?