MA in Gerontology

Application Deadline and Requirements

  • April 30, 2013: Summer 2013 term application deadline (classes start May 6, 2013)
  • Aug. 19, 2013: Fall 2013 term application deadline (classes start Aug. 26, 2013)
  • Dec. 31, 2013: Spring 2014 term application deadline (classes start Jan. 8, 2014)
  • Admission criteria
  • No GRE Required.
  • No Application Fee.

Study Options

  • Cohorts on campus (just 10 miles from downtown Chicago, evening and weekend classes)

About the Program

The wellness of our aging population requires carefully constructed social and healthcare programs to preserve its quality of life. Concordia’s gerontology concentration addresses these vital concerns by preparing its advance degree holders with the skills essential to delivering and managing these programs on both a local and national level.

Coursework

SOC-6160 Sociology of Aging

Examination of aging on individuals and societies-including social, cultural, and individual reactions to the aging in the society and the diversity of reactions to aging. Theoretical frameworks for aging and involvement will be presented, examined, and integrated. Field trips may be required.

SOC-6500 Public Policies and Aging

Analysis of the policy making process and policy initiatives as these affect the elderly in society. Cross-listed with SOW-6500.

PSY-6050 Adult Development and Aging

This course promotes integrity as students acquire attitudes and skills that promote the understanding of adult development with special attention paid to the aging process. It further promotes integrity as students learn to suspend judgment and draw various fields together in order to understand and provide quality care services to the aging population with sensitivity to cultural differences. Students obtain the knowledge of techniques and research while attaining competency in the timely use of various person-centered interventions. As knowledge and competency develop, a sense of confidence and leadership is cultivated.

SOC-6330 Death and Dying

Attitudes, customs, and beliefs regarding death; psychological, social, physical and spiritual issues; ministry to the dying and grieving.

CED-6045 Ethics, Law and Morality for Counselors

Addresses the competencies, attitudes and skills essential to the developing the character and identity of a professional counselor. This course is designed to give the student an understanding of ethics and applicable laws in the profession of counseling as well as allowing them to examine their own moral values. Prerequisite: CED-6000.

SOC-6980 Practicum in Gerontology

Observation of and supervised practice in a community agency that serves the elderly.

SOC-6510 Diversity in Aging

Part of the Masters in Gerontology courses that focuses on the differences and diversity of the aging population from a national perspective. Topics include race, ethnicity, gender, social class, spiritual and economic issues.

CED-6055 Multicultural Counseling

Assessment and therapeutic treatment of diverse populations with special emphasis on understanding of the cultural context of relationships, issues, and trends in a multicultural society. Emphasis on specific problems associated with age, race, disability, religious preferences, etc., and how these affect the counseling relationships.

PSY-6495 Administration of Human Services

Focus on structure of programs, financial and legal concerns, agency management, evaluation of services and planning.

SOC-6100 Methods of Evaluation Research

Purposes, formulation, design, context, issues, constraints and uses of evaluation research. Illustrations from business, education, religious and social service studies.

Capstone Experience

SOC-6900 Seminar in Gerontology

Observation of and supervised practice in a community agency. Literature review and applied research. Prerequisite: 18 semester hours of graduate credit in the program, including SOC-6160.