Gerontology Masters Program

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All students in the Gerontology Masters must:

1. Successfully complete 36 credit hours.

2. Maintain a minimum B average (accumulative).

3. Complete a Master's paper or a Master's thesis

Required Courses:

HDFS 660: Adult Development in Aging - (3 credits)
HDFS 682: Aging in the Family Context - (3 credits)
HDFS 722: Applied Research in Gerontology - (3 credits)
HDFS 760: Aging Policy - (3 credits)
HDFS 790: Graduate Seminar - Perspectives in Gerontology - (3 credits)
HDFS 790: Graduate Seminar - Professional Seminar in Gerontology - (3 credits)
ADFH 796: Aging and the Environment - (3 credits)
HNES 652: Nutrition, Health and Aging - (3 credits)

Gerontology Thesis Option

6 additional credits to be approved by advisor or committee (6 credits)
HDFS 798 Master's Thesis (6 credits)

Total 36 Credits

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Electives:

(Students must take additional electives approved by the Graduate Committee. The minimum numbers of electives required must fulfill the 36 credit total for the degree).
Potential electives to be developed or offered online include:

• Global aging - (3 credits)
• Gender - (3 credits)
• Grandparent-grandchild relations - (3 credits)
• Adult learners - (3 credits)
• Study tour (all universities) - (3 credits)
• Leadership in aging organizations- (3 credits)
• Intergenerational issues and programs- (3 credits)
• Statistics- (3 credits)
• Arts and humanities- (3 credits)
• Advanced theories on aging- (3 credits)
• Current topics- (3 credits)
• Community services and aging- (3 credits)
• Mental health, cognition- (3 credits)
• Ethics- (3 credits)
• Rural aging- (3 credits)
• Retirement planning- (3 credits)
• Estate planning- (3 credits)
• Practicum - (up to 3 credits)

= 6-9 credits

During the final year of study, students choose from the following requirements:

• Master's Paper - (3 credits)
  OR

• Master's Thesis - (6 credits)

= 3-6 credits

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Gerontology Certificate Program

Gerontology is an emerging area for which graduate training is needed by professionals. Whereas the Gerontology Masters option in Child Development and Family Science helps to meet this need, there are professionals who either need more advanced coursework in this area but do not need a Masters degree, or already have a Masters degree but would like more specific training in Gerontology. If you are such a person, the Gerontology Certificate may be for you.

Curriculum
The Gerontology Certificate consists of five required courses and two electives

Graduate Certificate in Gerontology (21 credits)

HDFS 790 Seminar: Perspectives in Gerontology
HDFS 660 Adult Development and Aging
HDFS 722 Applied Research in Gerontology
HNES 652 Nutrition, Health, and Aging
HDFS 790 Seminar: Professional Seminar in Gerontology

Select two additional courses from
HDFS 760 Aging Policy
HDFS 682 Family Dynamics of Aging
HDFS 790 Aging and the Environment
Or from electives approved by your committee.
Our application process is all on-line now and you can complete that at http://www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/

As you complete the Masters program application for Child Development and Family Science, you will see a place to indicate which program option you want. Just check Gerontology Certificate.