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
OR
OR
Elective Courses
Select 6 credit hours
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)
a maximum of 2 courses from the following:
Information sourced from the 2019-2020 EIU Graduate Catalog.