Master of Science in Dementia and Aging Studies
M.S. Dementia and Aging Studies
33 MINIMUM CREDIT HOURS
100% Online Program
Overview
Graduates of the M.S. in Dementia and Aging Studies program will make an immediate impact in their profession or be able to pursue further graduate studies leading toward research-related careers. Most will pursue advanced management and leadership opportunities in professional settings related to long-term care, hospices and hospitals, while others will develop new and better approaches to serving older adults and persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD).
The program features three concentrations:
- Practitioner (33 credit hours, non-thesis) offers a wide variety of elective courses tailored to the interests of those who wish to become dementia and aging specialists. They can serve in the workplace and in the community as educators, advocates or consultants
- Research (33 credit hours, thesis) focuses on research skills and dementia-related courses and is the track that students who want to pursue an academic doctorate in gerontology or aging should elect.
- Dementia and Long Term Care (36 credit hours, non-thesis) is designed for students whose professional goals correspond with the long term care certificate, but who also want cutting-edge knowledge about dementia and a master’s degree to supplement the certificate. A student in this track may be interested in certification as a nursing home administrator.
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Program Mission
The mission of the M.S. in Dementia and Aging Studies program is to educate from a global, interdisciplinary, and human rights perspective, in order to create compassion and understanding for persons with dementia and for elders. The department accomplishes this mission by preparing students for dementia- and aging-related careers in teaching, advocacy, research, and leadership, so as to empower caregivers and foster autonomy for persons with dementia and for elders.
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Career Options
Graduates will make an immediate impact in their profession or be able to pursue further graduate studies leading toward research-related careers. Most will pursue advanced management and leadership opportunities in professional settings related to long-term care, hospices, and hospitals, while others will develop new approaches to dealing with persons with dementia and dementia-like disorders.
Career Outlook Statistics
Advanced Credentials
Among online gerontology programs in the United States, our M.S. in Dementia and Aging Studies program is ranked among the top ten best online master's in gerontology programs (2022) by Intelligent. Our alumni are working in several aging and dementia occupations, including long-term care administrators, health policy analysts, investigators at Adult Protective Services, and executive directors of assisted living facilities.