Gerontology Concentration
About the Program
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.
Program Admission Requirements
This concentration requires a minimum GPA of 2.75 on the last 60 undergraduate credit hours.
Program Curriculum
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 873). 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.
MLS Core Courses: 10 credit hours (required)
- IDS 801: Introduction to Liberal Studies
- IDS 802: Ways of Knowing in Comparative Perspective
- IDS 803: Origins and Implications of the Knowledge Society
- IDS 804: Information Literacy
Concentration Core: 6 credit hours (required)
- HHP 605: Introduction to Gerontology
- HHP 873: Culminating Experience
Choose 8-12 credits from the following courses
- SLP 665: Communication in Aging (2 credit hours)
- PSY 668: Neuropsychology
- HHP 617: Nutrition and Aging
- HHP 619: Exercise Testing/Prescription for Aging
- HHP 612: Physiology of Aging
- SOCW 620: Spirituality of Aging
- SOC 644: Sociology of Aging
Choose 3-7 credits from the following subject areas (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
Total Hours Required: 31 credit hours
Program Contact
Contact Dr. David Fitzhugh (785-628-4354) if you think the Master of Liberal Studies concentration in Gerontology is right for you. Once you have been admitted to this concentration, please follow the MLS Checklist, and carefully read the MLS Student Handbook.