About the Gerontology Programs

Texas Tech's online master's degree and certificate in gerontology are available in a flexible and affordable format. In this program, you will explore the impact of societal expectations on the elderly and demographic trends, including global cross-cultural issues in aging. You will develop a broad understanding of factors that affect the quality of life for the geriatric population. Businesses, government agencies, service organizations, educational institutions and self-employed professionals from every economic sector are recognizing the need for specialized knowledge and skills to meet the needs of this changing demography.

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Meaningful Careers in Gerontology:

The demand for gerontology experts is expected to increase as the population continues to age.The gerontology program prepares you for a career in organizations such as:

Some Gerontologists work directly with older persons in a wide variety of programs and services in the community. Others work on behalf of older persons in areas such as advocacy and teaching about aging.

Master’s in Gerontology Program Curriculum

36 total credit hours

24 hours core courses:

• Perspectives in Gerontology
• Adult Development and Aging
• Physical Health and Nutrition in Aging
• Program Evaluation and Research Methods
• Professional Seminar in Gerontology
• Policy and Aging
• Environment and Aging
• Aging in the Family

12 hours of electives

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Certificate in Gerontology Curriculum

15 total credit hours

Two Core Courses:

• Perspectives in Gerontology
• Adult Development and Aging

Three Elective Courses:

• Physical Health and Nutrition in Aging
• Program Evaluation and Research Methods
• Professional Seminar in Gerontology
• Biological Aspects of Aging
• Gerontechnology
• Gender and Aging
• Cognitive Health
• Physical Activity and Aging
• Spirituality and Aging
• Seminar in Long-term Care
• Creativity and Aging
• Mental Health and Aging
• Sociology and Aging
• Sexuality and Aging

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Note: Credits completed in a certificate may be considered
as partial fulfillment for a graduate degree. Applicability
determined by the degree-granting institution.

Benefits of Studying Online Through IDEA

IDEA is a consortium of reputable universities which offer online, flexible, affordable programs for a virtual community of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Each university brings a unique strength in faculty and curriculum to the multi-institution program. Students choose a home university where they apply, are admitted, register for courses, and receive their degree.

You will receive your degree or certificate from Texas Tech University, with courses taught by faculty across the nation through the IDEA partnership. The gerontology master's degree and certificate programs are designed to provide you with research-based skills and knowledge you can use in today's advancing gerontology careers.

Online courses are taught by the best faculty in each discipline from several universities. Students pay one common price per credit hour regardless of which university is their degree-granting institution.

FAQs

Learn More about the Online Gerontology Graduate Programs

Whether you are interested in pursuing the online master's degree in Gerontology program or want to increase your skill set through the online graduate certificate in Gerontology, you can complete your courses fully online in a flexible format from Texas Tech.

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Application Requirements & Process

TTU Admission Instructions

Texas Tech University reviews applications to the program on an ongoing basis. If you select TTU as your home/degree-granting institution, you must take the following steps to be admitted:

1. Apply for admission to the Texas Tech Graduate School. For information on how to apply online, visit TTU Graduate Admissions.

If you have further questions please contact the IDEA campus coordinator (ashlee.murden@ttu.edu), or the Gerontology Graduate Advisor (page.heisser@ttu.edu).

Tuition and Fees

Students admitted to the program at Texas Tech University enroll at TTU for all courses, whether they are taught at TTU or by a participating university. All courses will have a common price of $600 per credit hour for graduate courses and $435 per credit hour for undergraduate courses*. There is no in-state or out-of-state tuition. This price will cover all course costs except textbook or course packet purchases.

*Common tuition rate set by IDEA Board of Directors in connection and cooperation with participating institutions.

Financial Aid

To qualify for financial aid, all graduate students must be enrolled as full-time students in the fall, spring, (6 hours) and summer semesters (5 hours).

FAFSA forms must be filled out for all government loan programs. This form uses last year's income. If you've had a change in circumstances (i.e., quit work to go to school, have large moving or medical expenses) contact the Texas Tech Financial Aid Office. They may be able to adjust your aid package based on this information which could not be conveyed on the forms.

You may also reach the Financial Aid Office at (806) 742-3681 or by email: finaid.Advisor@ttu.edu. The fax number is (806) 742-0880.

Course Registration

Students enroll for all courses through their home institution. This means students will have only one enrollment process to complete and one check to write. All coursework completed will immediately be recorded on your Texas Tech University transcript. Financial aid may also be easier to secure.

Technical Requirements

Requirements are similar among the institutions. Since different platforms are used for course delivery, compatibility with the web browser is most important, although if you are using an older computer with limited memory, or a slow dial-up modem, you may wish to upgrade your equipment. Courses do require the use of a computer, access to the Internet and e-mail.

In order to access classes, you must set up an e-mail address using the email system at each teaching institution. For example, if you take a course taught at Iowa State, the faculty member will send email to your Iowa State email account, not to your Texas Tech (called: "e-Raider") address or to a local Internet service provide account (i.e. AOL, Yahoo, or Gmail).

Faculty

Through IDEA, Texas Tech gerontology students also have access to faculty at the other participating universities. Expert faculty in the gerontology graduate programs are here to help. You will have an academic advisor at your home university, with technical support from a campus coordinator. The faculty instructors in the gerontology program work collaboratively across the seven partner universities, providing you access to a lot of knowledge and experiences, and ensuring success every step of the way.

Dr. Page Hessier - Texas Tech

Contact Us

Gerontology Program Director

Dr. Page Heisser
Email: Page.Heisser@ttu.edu
Office: HS 507I

IDEA Campus Coordinator

Ashlee Murden 
Email: ashlee.murden@ttu.edu
Phone: (806) 834.4140