丁香园AV

Department of Gerontology | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
丁香园AV Calendar 2012 Fall

A master of arts (MA) degree with two concentrations is offered: environment and aging; health and aging. The program prepares students for professional roles with high level current knowledge, and substantial competence in research tasks necessary to undertake those roles. It also provides focused, interdisciplinary training for individuals in occupations offering services to older adults. Students will develop an appreciation of the complex ethical issues that are faced by persons working with older adults.

Each concentration covers specific problems and issues. The environment and aging concentration teaches planning, design, research and evaluation of working, living and recreational environments for older persons including families and community environments. Students will have backgrounds in architecture, interior design, urban and regional planning, social/human ecology, kinesiology, recreation and leisure studies, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, human factors, human geography, sociology or environmental or social psychology.

The health and aging concentration provides knowledge applied to research, evaluation and critical analysis of health care systems and specific health promotion strategies. Students with degrees in psychology, sociology, demography, health sciences, medical geography, social work, nursing, health education, physiotherapy, physical education or kinesiology would be probable candidates.

Students complete a core methods course and electives selected from the two concentrations. The program builds upon the expertise, research activities, clinical experience, and international reputation of the associated Gerontology Research Centre.

Application Requirements

Applications will be considered according to the following criteria

• cumulative grade point average from the most recently completed program of study
• academic course work in the subject area
• the quality of the statement of research interest submitted
• compatibility of the stated research interests and the teaching and research interests of the program鈥檚 faculty. Check faculty research interests at . Qualified students will be accepted only if a suitable senior supervisor is available and willing to supervise the student

Applicants must submit all supporting documentation in one complete package, which must include: official copies of transcripts, three letters of reference (see References below), a 500-600 word statement of research interests (see Statement of Research Interest below), a statement of work experience in gerontology, and a completed curriculum vitae information form. TOEFL scores can be submitted separately.

Candidates for admission must satisfy the general admission requirements for graduate studies as shown in 1.3.1 and 1.3.3.

References

Three academic references are required. Referees will address the applicant鈥檚 ability to undertake advanced work in the area of interest. Non-academic references should address the candidate鈥檚 academic potential.

Because program applicants are able to view reference letters upon request (after the application has been submitted), referees should be told this, due to the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Statement of Research Interest

A 500-600 word statement of research interest is required and is a critical component of the application package. It should be focused and detailed. Examples are available upon request.

Application Deadlines

• fall term, beginning in September: application deadline is January 30
• spring term, beginning in January: application deadline is September 30

English Language Competence

An applicant whose primary language is not English or whose previous education has been conducted in another language must demonstrate command of English sufficient to pursue graduate studies in the chosen field.

Full or Part-time Studies

Full-time studies are recommended. Each year a limited number of students may be accepted for part-time studies. If a student is accepted on a part-time basis, they must be available to take classes in the daytime during the week.  This program is not available via distance education.

丁香园AV Requirements

Candidates who have not completed the post baccalaureate diploma in gerontology or have a minimum of five upper division courses with substantial aging content may be advised to complete courses from the diploma program prior to applying.

Students complete each of the following prerequisites, or their equivalents, for every concentration. However, under special circumstances, the courses beneath the sub-heading 'Both or No Concentrations' (see below) may be waived.

Environment and Aging

• GERO 401-3 Environment and Aging

Health and Aging

one of

• GERO 302-3 Health Promotion and Aging
• GERO 404-3 Health and Illness in Later Life
• GERO 407-3 Nutrition and Aging

Both or No Concentrations

three of

• GERO 300-3 Introduction to Gerontology*
• GERO 400-4 Seminar in Applied Gerontology*
• GERO 409-3 Mental Health and Aging
• GERO 420-4 Sociology of Aging
• KIN 461-3 Physiological Aspects of Aging
• PSYC 357-3 Psychology of Adulthood and Aging

*recommended

Students also complete at least one undergraduate methods course.

Curriculum and Description

There are four program components: a core methods course; electives; thesis or project; and internship. Students complete seven courses (one core, and six electives chosen from the two concentrations) and complete a thesis or capstone project. Students who complete a thesis in lieu of the project will complete two fewer elective courses. (See Thesis or Project Option below).

Core Methods Course

Completion of one core methods course is required, as follows.

• GERO 803-4 Analytical Techniques for Gerontological Research

Elective Courses from Areas of Concentration

Students select remaining courses from the concentration courses, other electives, or from outside the program if approved by the student's senior supervisor, and may build a concentration in environment and aging, or health and aging. A concentration is considered to be at least two courses in one of the two areas.

Environment and Aging

Students who choose this concentration will complete at least two of

• GERO 810-4 Community Based Housing for Older People
• GERO 811-4 Institutional Living Environments
• GERO 822-4 Families, Communities and Health
• GERO 830-4 Human Factors, Technology and Safety
• GERO 840-4 Special Topics in Gerontology**
• GERO 889-4 Directed Studies**

Health and Aging

Students who choose this concentration will complete at least two of

• GERO 801-4 Health Policy and Applied Issues in Gerontology
• GERO 802-4 Development and Evaluation of Health Promotion Programs for the Elderly
• GERO 820-4 Principles and Practices of Health Promotion
• GERO 822-4 Families, Communities and Health
• GERO 823-4 Mental Health and Illness in Later Life
• GERO 840-4 Special Topics in Gerontology**
• GERO 889-4 Directed Studies**

Electives Outside of Concentration

Students from either concentration may choose the following.

• GERO 804-4 Advanced Qualitative Methods in Gerontology
• GERO 805-4 Advanced Statistics for Behavioral Analysis in Gerontology
• GERO 806-4 Interdisciplinary Theories in Gerontology

**may be used for either concentration depending on the topic

Project or Thesis Option

Students present a written thesis/project proposal to their supervisory committee. Students will complete individual research-based projects that will entail original work and will fall under one of the following types.

• a critical synthesis of theoretical and/or research literature on a focused topic related to aging
• an original grant proposal including an extended literature review, methodology, and design sections
• development of a new program intervention and/or an evaluation framework proposal of a program related to the field of aging
• or a critical analysis of a policy related to gerontology

A project will be evaluated by the supervisory committee and a qualified external reader. The project requirement must meet the guidelines set out in the.

Students preparing for advanced graduate training may be permitted to select a thesis option and will complete two fewer elective courses. The thesis provides high quality focused research. Original and innovative research is encouraged to meet this requirement. Committee selection and thesis proposal approval will follow the same steps as the project. The thesis requirement must meet the .

Internship

Students lacking relevant work experience will supplement their program with an internship by working for an agency or organization in a position of responsibility for a maximum of one term.

Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations

All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the (residence, course work, academic progress, supervision, research competence requirement, completion time, and degree completion), as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled, as shown above.