Master of Liberal Studies, Gerontology option
Did you know that people over the age of 80 are the fastest growing segment of our society today? Individuals who have studied gerontology (study of aging) are in high demand in the 21st century. Careers may include areas as diverse as wellness, rehabilitation, marketing, interior design, health care, policy development, government, and law. With a graduate degree, you should be in a leadership role to advance the broad understanding of the diverse and complex issues, challenges, and opportunities that face individuals and society in aging.
Additional Program Admission Requirements
A minimum GPA of 2.50 is also required on the last 60 undergraduate credit hours to be admitted to this concentration. Program contact info can be found at the bottom of this page. Click here for admission criteria.
The student seeking a Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) degree with an emphasis in Gerontology is required to complete a selection of courses equal to 31 credit hours. Students complete 15 required credit hours and 16 elective credit hours. Each student is required to complete comprehensive examinations and a 3-hour culminating experience (HHP 874). The culminating experience may take many different forms including a research paper or project, the development of original creative work, an internship, or other special projects formulated in conjunction with the program advisor.
Program Summary
Core
IDS 801 Introduction to Liberal Arts (1)
IDS 802 Ways of Knowing in Comparative Perspective (3)
IDS 803 Origins and Implications of the Knowledge Society (3)
IDS 804 Information Literacy (3)
Concentration
HHP 605G Introduction to Gerontology (3)
HHP 873 Culminating Experience (3)
Electives (15)
Total Credit Hours: 31
Electives (choose 8-12 credits from these courses)
SLP 665G Communication in Aging (2)
PSY 668G Neuropsychology (3)
HHP 617G Nutrition and Aging (3)
HHP 619G Exercise Testing/Prescription for Aging (3)
HHP 612G Physiology of Aging (3)
SOCW 620G Spirituality of Aging (3)
SOC 644G Sociology of Aging (3)
Choose 4-8 credits in any of the following subject areas with approval from your advisor (must be 600-level or higher)
Topics and Workshop courses related to aging
Marketing
Healthcare systems/administration
Grant writing courses
Health and Wellness coursework related to the older adult
Education of the older adult/teaching strategies
Leadership courses
Comprehensive Exams
As a final step in the program, all students are required to successfully complete a comprehensive examination prior to graduation.
Program Contact
For more information, contact Dr. David Fitzhugh to see if the Master of Liberal Studies degree concentrations offered through the Department of Health and Human Performance could be right for you. You can also reach Dr. Fitzhugh at (785) 628-4354. Once you have been admitted to this concentration, please carefully read The MLS Student Handbook.
For more information, contact
Director of the Master of Liberal Studies Program
The Graduate School, Picken Hall 306
Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS 67601
(785) 628-5578