Aging Studies Programs

Gerontology: the study of aging and older adults

Many people today find that their careers have taken turns that give them the opportunity to work with older adults. Because their original educational training may not have prepared them for working with an older population, they turn to the University of Indianapolis online programs in aging studies (also called gerontology). Because aging studies is multidisciplinary, our program is open to students from all areas of study and all careers. With our unique format of online courses, UIndy works to meet the needs of traditional, nontraditional and postprofessional students. We offer a combination of core, concentration, skills and elective classes, and have an outstanding interdisciplinary faculty that provide optimal learning experiences in an environment of research and discovery.

UIndy offers four programs of study in aging:

• Master of Science in Aging Studies
  No matter your undergraduate area of study, you can couple it with a master’s degree in aging studies to support, improve, and enhance the lives of the older adults where you live and work.
• Graduate Certificate in Aging Studies
  This program is designed to meet the needs of professionals who have an interest in the aging population or who may currently work in the field of aging, but would like to increase or formalize their knowledge.
• Undergraduate Certificate in Aging Studies
  Students with a certificate in aging studies may find themselves to be more employable in a marketplace that increasingly works to meet the needs of a growing older adult population.
• Undergraduate Minor in Aging Studies
  An undergraduate Minor in Aging Studies provides students with specialized knowledge to make them more competitive and highly sought after in a job market rapidly expanding to serve the needs of a growing older adult population.

Advantages of our programs

• Multidisciplinary program combines well with a variety of professional backgrounds.
• Online courses provide flexible, accessible education for traditional, nontraditional, and post-professional students, making learning achievable on your schedule.
• Opportunities for service and networking through membership in the UIndy chapter of the gerontology academic honor and professional society, Sigma Phi Omega.
• May be combined with other UIndy graduate programs, allowing for shared credits, and pursued as a dual degree.

Careers in Aging

Because UIndy's Aging Studies programs are multidisciplinary, careers in aging can be found in several industries, including social services, health care, government, academia, non-profit sectors, business, and industry.

Graduates of the UIndy Master of Science in Aging Studies program currently work in the following fields:

• Senior fitness
• Community health programs
• Community planning
• Social work
• Architecture
• Higher education
• Personal care for seniors
• Senior foster care 

Other career possibilities in the field of aging include:

• Estate and financial planning
• Elder law
• Volunteer management
• Human resources
• Housing and home modification
• Chaplain

See What Aging Studies is All About

If you're unsure whether or not an online program in aging studies is for you, you can take up to two courses as a guest student without being admitted into the program. Course fees apply.

UIndy junior- and senior-level undergraduates with a GPA of 3.5 or better can take up to two graduate AGST courses as electives. Permission from your academic advisor is required.