Gerontology

Graduate study in gerontology at KU consists of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Gerontology, along with the option for a dual-title Ph.D. in Gerontology and selected social science disciplines.

They are administered through the Gerontology Program, a component of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in gerontology was approved by the Kansas Board of Regents during the 1996-97 academic year. KU is one of only several universities nationwide offering the Ph.D. in gerontology. KU’s gerontology graduate program is unique in that it is an interdisciplinary research degree emphasizing social and behavioral gerontology.

Faculty affiliated with the program include members of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, including the School of the Arts; and the Schools of Architecture, Design and Planning; Education; Engineering; Health Professions; Law; Medicine; Music; Nursing; Pharmacy; and Social Welfare.

The graduate program in gerontology gives students a broad, advanced educational experience in the study of older adults. It provides a common focus for all students, yet allows each student to design a course of study most appropriate for her or his career objectives. Courses give students a multidisciplinary perspective on the issues and problems of aging, built on a strong foundation in basic research on aging. The program prepares students for academic and research careers in gerontology, as well as for professional careers in private and public institutions and agencies providing services to older individuals.

For the Ph.D., the student must complete all general degree requirements, including residence, training in research skills and responsible scholarship, the written preliminary examination, the comprehensive oral examination, preparation of a dissertation, and the final oral examination.

Each student designs his or her own curriculum with the assistance of a support committee of 3 gerontology faculty members. All students are expected to acquire multidisciplinary training in gerontology by taking courses in the sociology, psychology, and biology of aging.

Students may enter the program with an acceptable master’s degree from KU or another institution. The admissions committee reviews master’s-level preparation for doctoral-level research. An acceptable level of preparation includes basic training in statistics, program assessment, or policy analysis and completion of an empirical research study or thesis.

Students entering the program without an acceptable master’s degree must complete the M.A. in gerontology before the Ph.D.

The requirements for the M.A. in gerontology are as follows:

• Gerontology proseminar
• 6 hours of core courses in gerontology (selected from at least 2 of the following areas: biology of aging, psychology of aging, social gerontology)
• 12 hours of supplemental courses in gerontology and related fields
• 6 hours of basic statistics courses
• 3 hours of methodology
• 6 hours of thesis credit

For students who enter the program with master’s degrees or who complete the M.A. in gerontology, minimum requirements for the Ph.D. are as follows:

• Gerontology proseminar
• At least 6 hours of core courses in gerontology (selected from at least 2 of the following areas: biology of aging, psychology of aging, social gerontology)
• At least 12 hours of additional supplemental courses in gerontology and related fields
• 6 hours of advanced statistics courses
• 6 additional hours of methodology
• Completion of written and oral comprehensive examination
• 6 hours of dissertation credit, completion of dissertation, and final oral examination

A list of courses meeting requirements in gerontology, statistics, and methodology is available from the graduate advisor.

Any student who has completed at least a B.A. or B.S. degree at an accredited institution of higher education may apply to the Ph.D. program. Required application materials include a résumé, a personal statement of professional and educational goals in gerontology, 1 copy of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts, list of all courses taken that are relevant to gerontology, 3 letters of recommendation, and scores from the Graduate Record Examination. Applicants whose first language is not English must submit proof of proficiency in English. GRE and other scores should be from the last two years. 

The Doctoral Student Research Fund is designed to support KU doctoral students on the Lawrence Campus who need assistance to carry out research that advances progress toward the degree. A doctoral student is eligible to apply for up to two awards during their graduate program, one before doctoral candidacy (up to $1500) and one as a candidate (up to $2000).