Aging Studies

Program Mission: The online Master of Arts in Aging Studies program is designed to provide a multidisciplinary education for future and current professionals in gerontology. Opportunities are available for students to gain exposure to specialized expertise in gerontological theory, research, practice, social policy issues, and the process of aging in a global and culturally diverse society. This expertise prepares students for a wide range of careers in the field of aging, including direct community and social services, program administration, mental health practice, government services, higher education, long-term care, health and wellness, and entrepreneurship.

Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”).

Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically in the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the program coordinator.

Degree Requirements

Degree requirements include those outlined for the master’s degree by the Graduate School (see “Requirements for the Master’s Degree”).

The courses for the degree must total 33 semester hours.

Required Courses: 27 credits hours

EDF 5590 - Educational Response to Third Age Learning Credits: 3
KSR 5225 - Physical Activity and Aging Credits: 3
PSY 5540 - Psychological Processes in the Aged Credits: 3
HSL 5400 - Aging Policy in Action Credits: 3
CMN 5155 - Communication and Aging Credits: 3
HPR 4890 - Health and Aging. Credits: 3
HSL 5100 - Societal Theories of Aging Credits: 3
HSL 5900 - Research Methods Credits: 3
HSL 5985 - Aging Studies Internship Credits: 3
OR
HSL 5950 - Thesis Credits: 3 to 6
OR
HSL 5990 - Human Services Program Administration Independent Study. Credits: 1 to 6

Elective Courses

Select 6 credit hours

BIO 4834 - Neurobiology. Credits: 3
HSL 4820 - Death and Dying Credits: 3
HSL 4846 - Aging and the Family. Credits: 3
HSL 5450 - Leadership and Administration in Human Services Programming Credits: 3
HSL 5846 - Public Policy and Grant Writing for Human Services Programming Credits: 3
HPR 5600 - Essentials of International Health Credits: 3
HPR 5750 - Health Program Planning and Evaluation Credits: 3
HPR 5770 - Leadership and Ethics for Health Professionals Credits: 3
PLS 4793 - Civic and Nonprofit Leadership Credits: 3
PLS 4873 - Human Resource Management in Public and Nonprofit Organizations Credits: 3
PLS 4893 - Budgeting in Government and Nonprofit Organizations Credits: 3

Online Format

The entire graduate degree program is completed in the form of online courses to fulfill the required total of 33 credit hours. All required courses are offered online on a regular basis. A limited number of courses are also available in the face-to-face, on-campus format for students interested in this option.

Graduate Assistantships

Applications for graduate assistantships in Aging Studies are located at https://www.eiu.edu/graduate/GAapplication/GAappl.php

For more information about the MA in Aging Studies, the Accelerated Graduate Program, or Graduate Assistantships, please contact Dr. Kathleen O’Rourke, Aging Studies Graduate Coordinator, at kaorourke@eiu.edu or the Chair of the School of Family and Consumer Sciences Department of Human Services and Community Leadership in Klehm Hall.

Accelerated Graduate Program

Admission to the accelerated MA in Aging Studies requires that a student have completed a minimum of 60 hours of undergraduate course credit and have a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.25. In addition, applicants must have completed a minimum of 15 hours in their respective major.

To apply for the accelerated MA in Aging Studies, applicants meeting the above requirements must submit two letters of recommendation from instructors, and a letter of intent. All items should be submitted to the Aging Studies Graduate Coordinator and you must also complete the Graduate School’s Accelerated Program Application.

Shared credit options: (maximum of 9 hours)

EDF 5590 - Educational Response to Third Age Learning Credits: 3
HSL 5100 - Societal Theories of Aging Credits: 3
HSL 5900 - Research Methods Credits: 3
HPR 4890 - Health and Aging. Credits: 3
KSR 5225 - Physical Activity and Aging Credits: 3
PSY 5540 - Psychological Processes in the Aged Credits: 3
a maximum of 2 courses from the following:
BIO 4833 - Neurobiology of Diseases Credits: 4
BIO 5433 - Neurobiology of Diseases Credits: 4
BIO 4834 - Neurobiology. Credits: 3
BIO 5434 - Neurobiology Credits: 3
BIO 4835 - Advanced Neurobiology Credits: 3
BIO 5435 - Advanced Neurobiology Credits: 3
HSL 4820 - Death and Dying Credits: 3
HSL 4846 - Aging and the Family. Credits: 3
HPR 4770 - Health Services Administration. Credits: 3
HCM 4910 - Applied Health Communication Credits: 3
HPR 5700 - Theories and Principles of Health Behavior Credits: 3
HPR 5750 - Health Program Planning and Evaluation Credits: 3
HPR 5770 - Leadership and Ethics for Health Professionals Credits: 3
PLS 4793 - Civic and Nonprofit Leadership Credits: 3
PLS 4873 - Human Resource Management in Public and Nonprofit Organizations Credits: 3
PLS 4893 - Budgeting in Government and Nonprofit Organizations Credits: 3

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