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Gerontology Program
Welcome to the M.A. in Gerontology Program!
PROGRAM MISSION
Established in 1991, the mission of the Gerontology Program at Northeastern Illinois University NEIU) is to contribute to the quality of life of older adults through education, research and community service. To that end, the program seeks to train practitioners through a broad education in the history, characteristics, and circumstances of this older population and prepare them to make a contribution to direct service, advocacy, and research. As such, this program is appropriate for individuals working in the field, for those seeking professional level entry into the field, and also for those whose interest is in studying aging for their own academic or personal growth.
GOALS OF THE PROGRAM
The M.A. in Gerontology Program is designed to meet the educational needs of a variety of student groups: those already working with the elderly, those contemplating a career change, and those working in other fields who wish to increase their knowledge of aging processes. To address these needs, students complete a set of required courses providing a solid background in the concepts of gerontology. Additional elective courses permit the student to gain expertise in either counseling/clinical or administration/social policy. This combination of general and specific course work prepares students for positions in direct service or in administration and policy analysis. The program is also structured to ensure the development of skills in both theoretical and applied research, enabling students to be proficient consumers, reviewers, and generators of research in gerontology.
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
The M.A. in Gerontology curriculum consists of 36 credit hours organized into three components: classroom courses, experiential learning, and independent research. Each of these components provides an opportunity for a specific type of learning; all are intended to be coordinated around the student's focus in the program. The classroom component will provide the theoretical knowledge and the academic skills necessary for success in the other two. The experiential component will give students the opportunity to apply, as well as to increase, their knowledge and skills by working in agencies and programs for the elderly in the greater Chicago land area. Finally, the research component allows students to integrate what they have learned from both of the above and to produce a thesis or pass a new comprehensive exam option that demonstrates their mastery of the interdisciplinary field of gerontology.
For more information, please refer to the list of options to the left to access important information about details of the program, tentative course offerings, and other information helpful to potential and current gerontology students (e.g., student handbook).
* Please note the new one-year gerontology certificate being offered now!
If you have any questions and/or would like to set up a meeting to discuss your interest in gerontology further, please feel free to contact the gerontology program coordinator for information:
Dr. L. Hollis-Sawyer, Gerontology Coordinator
Phone: (773) 442-5846
E-mail: l-hollissawyer@neiu.edu
Dr. Masami Takahashi
Science Building, S-307A
(773) 542-5845
Psychology Department Office
Bonnie Fritz, Office Manager
Science Building, S-313F
(773) 442-5840
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