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Gerontology Degrees
By Joanna Pelletier, allied health world contributing writer
Published: March 5th, 2010
What are the degree options for the various professions in the field of gerontology?
A gerontology degree at the Master’s level is an excellent way to extend one's understanding of how the body, mind, and social self changes as people age. These programs delve even deeper into the specifics of gerontology, allowing students to gain knowledge and experience in a field of their interest. Like some undergraduate programs, most Master's-level gerontology programs require students to gain fieldwork experience by volunteering or working as an intern.Students and professionals can choose programs that focus specifically on psychology, sociology, nutrition, finance, law, health
care, nursing, or an aspect that is congruent with their personal interests and career goals. A psychology-focused program, for example, will place emphasis on age-related mental illnesses, community building, counseling the aged and their families, the aging process and cognition, and the psychosocial aspects of aging. A health care-focused program, on the other hand, will place more emphasis on providing health care services to the elderly and promoting health in a hospital, retirement, clinical, or assisted living setting (these programs are best for people who plan to become Geriatric Nurse Practitioners).
Students who plan to obtain a gerontology degree at the Master’s level should strongly consider programs that are associated with the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. Although it is not necessary to obtain a degree from an AGHE-affiliated university, students in AGHE-affiliated programs have better access to international opportunities, information on new career paths, business opportunities, and changes in the profession, as well as research breakthroughs and organizational leadership opportunities.
Those who plan to become nutritionists, dietitians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, or geriatric nurses should consider a graduate certificate in gerontology over a Master's degree. A Master's degree will give them a stronger focus on an aspect of gerontology, but it may also make them overqualified for the positions they want. A graduate certificate, on the other hand, will give them the right amount of education in less time.
Like a Master's degree, graduate certificates allow students to focus on a specific aspect of gerontology, and give them an opportunity to blend their field expertise with their new skills. Graduate certificates have a more narrow focus, which is ideal for people who want to gain a sense of the most important aspects of gerontology (e.g., loss, death, dying, elder nutrition, social interaction, etc.).
Gerontology degrees earned through Doctoral programs are excellent for professionals who plan to research or teach. Doctoral programs focus more on research training and the acquisition of leadership skills and scientific knowledge. These programs tend to be more liberal than Master's degree programs, allowing students to focus on an area of their choice. Gerontology doctorates make excellent companions to Master's degrees, but they are not necessary for those who plan to work in the field.
If an individual plans to teach yoga or T'ai Chi to the elderly, he or she must study the art and then go through a training and certification program. Students who plan to become yoga teachers should also know what type of yoga they plan to teach, as there are hundreds of variations and thousands of schools. Yoga and T'ai Chi training programs can last from eight weeks to a number of months, depending on what the future teachers plan to accomplish.
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