Program Overview

Master of Arts in Gerontology

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Gerontology program at Georgia State University is designed for students preparing for leadership positions in the field of aging and those interested in becoming gerontological researchers. Students who study gerontology come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including (but not limited to) education, social work, nursing, exercise science, sociology, religious studies, and psychology.

Program Overview

The M.A. program has an interdisciplinary curriculum that provides in-depth exposure to the issues, knowledge, and research about aging processes, older people, and the needs of an aging population. The program is designed for both full-time and part-time students. Full-time students can complete this 36-semester-hour program in two years.

Program Concentrations

• Program Administration: The Program Administration Concentration prepares students to work in aging services and administration with a focus on program design and management. Master of Arts students in the Program Administration Concentration must complete an approved internship for at least 3 credit hours.
  • Internships are an elective for Master of Arts students in the Research concentration.
  • The internship class is offered in the Spring and Summer semesters each academic year and requires an application.
  • Undergraduate students register for Gerontology 4910 and graduate students register for Gerontology 8910.
• Research: The Research Concentration prepares students for a doctoral program in gerontology, sociology, psychology, policy studies, family studies, or to study aging in a research organization. Students selecting this concentration will be required to complete a master's thesis.

Program Requirements

The program requires students to complete a certain number of semester hours, with specific requirements for each concentration. The Research Concentration requires students to complete a master's thesis, while the Program Administration Concentration requires an approved internship.