Master of Science in Aging Studies
College of Health Sciences
The face of aging in our world is changing. More older adults than ever are approaching their later years with energy and passion while making decisions about resources necessary to live long and healthy lives. Our society needs supportive and knowledgeable professionals committed to enhancing the lives of older adults through a positive view of aging in our society. The master’s in aging studies program at the University of Indianapolis imbues its students with an in-depth understanding of aging as a part of life and equips them with the skills and knowledge needed to support, improve, and enhance the lives of older adults in their communities. Students have the flexibility to personalize their journey in the aging studies program with fully online classes and three unique concentration options in education, healthcare administration, and population/community health. Under the mentorship of expert faculty, students from the aging studies program will graduate with a prestigious, versatile degree and a professional network through which to build a successful and fulfilling career.
This program was perfect for me because it gave me the flexibility to earn my degree while working full-time. It also was filled with people from different areas across the nation, with different educational backgrounds and professional expertise, which added a dimension to the topics we covered that I wouldn’t have gotten in a traditional classroom. Ultimately, what I got out of my degree was a way to pivot my career, but an added benefit was the personal growth, invaluable knowledge, and amazing community of people I met who care as much as I do about what the future of aging looks like.
Career Ready From the Day You Graduate
By 2030, 20% of the U.S. population will be 65 years or older, an increase from 12% in 2000. This means it is a crucial time to foster a world where older adults will be engaged more than ever. The master’s in aging studies program prepares students to meet this need and succeed in the job market with an emphasis on experiential learning and professional networking. With real-life application of their studies, UIndy aging studies students will have the experience and confidence needed to successfully serve the aging population in their communities beginning the day they graduate. Alumni have gone on to pursue successful careers with notable organizations like: IU Health, Eskenazi Health, ECO Generation Park, Center for At-Risk Elders, and Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
Both of my positions post-graduation have been centered around improving the quality of care and quality of life for vulnerable populations. The UIndy Aging Studies program equipped me with advocacy skills and support to be a voice for those who need it the most.
Learn From the Professionals
The Department of Interprofessional Health and Aging Studies is home to experienced, professional faculty who are invested in the success of their students. In addition to their role as educators, aging studies faculty remain active in the world of gerontology and in the aging community around them. Faculty work with community partners to establish impactful initiatives, including service-learning opportunities for aging studies students to support age inclusivity around the world. Furthermore, faculty hold influential positions in some of gerontology’s most notable organizations, such as the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), the Academy of Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE), and the American Geriatrics Association. These professional experiences benefit students in a number of ways, including the ability to hear first-hand perspectives from their future careers and to establish a strong professional network prior to graduation.