Online Gerontology Degrees: Compare Schools & Get Program Info
The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:
Healthcare Education Nursing Pre-Nursing Nursing Nursing Ed.Maybe you’ve thought about studying gerontology, but aren’t sure exactly what it is or what you actually learn in a degree program. Or perhaps you’ve already decided to get a degree in gerontology, but want to know what earning one online would be like. No matter your situation, chances are you have many questions about earning an online gerontology degree that this guide can answer for you.
What the Experts Say: How to Find the Right Gerontology Degree for You
The gerontology programs in this guide have been selected for academic quality and career relevance in a growing field. But a degree in gerontology serves a wide range of career paths, from clinical care to administration to advocacy, and the right program depends on which direction you’re heading. Our EduMed experts share their guidance on making the right match.
Identify Your Career Direction First
Gerontology is one of those fields where your career path really depends on whether you want to pursue the clinical side or the policy side. Programs are often built to support one or the other. I’d look closely at where recent graduates landed jobs, because the work of a geriatric care manager looks very different from someone working in long-term care policy.
Explore the Field's Full Scope
With Baby Boomers living longer than previous generations, a degree in gerontology goes well beyond healthcare into high-demand areas like senior housing management, elder law advocacy, and even gerontechnology, which is a growing field focused on designing tools that help older adults live independently. If you want a career with staying power, it’s hard to think of a population more in need of well-trained professionals right now.
Understanding Accreditation for Online Gerontology Programs
When looking for an online gerontology program, it’s important to only consider schools that have been accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education (DOE). This will ensure you get the high-quality education you need to reach your career goals.
Accredited schools are required to undergo a strenuous review process so you can feel confident you’re earning a worthwhile degree. National accreditation may be obtained by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. Regional accreditation may be awarded by organizations including:
- Higher Learning Commission
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Currently, there are no organizations recognized by the DOE that specifically accredit gerontology programs. However, you can use approval from these organizations as an extra way to determine a program’s quality:
- Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education: offers a list of “programs of merit” where schools gain recognition through a voluntary review process
- Accreditation for Gerontology Education Council
Remember that approval from these two organizations should not be mistaken for real accreditation.
You can check the accreditation status of programs you’re considering by visiting school websites or by visiting this DOE search tool.
Online Gerontology Degree Program Options
Whether students are learning about gerontology for the first time in order to land an entry-level position or are already healthcare professionals who want to deepen their knowledge of gerontology to get a higher-level position, there is a program available that suits their needs. Below are descriptions of online gerontology degrees available at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as certification programs in gerontology.
Online Associate Degrees in Gerontology
Online gerontology associate degrees, which are generally offered by community colleges, are designed to give students a sturdy foundation of knowledge and skills needed to enter the field.
People generally will graduate with an understanding of:
- Physical, social, spiritual and psychological components of aging
- Development and implementation of services provided to meet the holistic needs of seniors
- Aging theories and how they relate to seniors on a group and individual level
- Ways seniors are viewed and treated by society
Best for … those who want to pursue careers as social services workers, nursing assistants, meal coordinators, or adult educators.
Program Requirements
- Total Credits: 60 credits
- Other Common Requirements: Internship
Time to Complete
- Part-Time Program: 4 Years
- Full-Time Program: 2 Years
Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Gerontology
Specific classes found in online gerontology bachelor’s degree programs include the sociology of aging, aging and health, long-term care administration, and the cognitive and emotional impact of aging.
Also, general education classes are required to increase students’ knowledge of areas like math, science, public speaking, and writing. Students in these programs learn about:
- Aging independence and related financial, legal, and ethical issues
- Contemporary and classic research and theories related to aging
- Best practices for providing services to the elderly
- Changing relationship dynamics between older people and their loved ones
Best for … those who want to become social workers, home health aides, social scientists, administrative gerontologists, and geriatric case managers.
Program Requirements
- Total Credits: 120 credits
- Other Common Requirements: Internship
Time to Complete
- Part-Time Program: 6 Years
- Full-Time Program: 4 Years
Master’s Degrees in Gerontology Online
e master’s degrees in gerontology provide an advanced look at the discipline by focusing on the following topics:
- Societal challenges people face as they age
- Cognitive, physical, and emotional ramifications of the aging process
- Laws and ethics followed by those in the gerontology field
- Strategies for conducting gerontology research
Specific coursework may include topics like lifespan development and sociology, bereavement studies, aging and the family, and counseling the older adult.
Best for … people who have been in the aging field for a while and want to advance their knowledge and skills to obtain a higher-level position, as well as people who want to enter the gerontology field as a second career.
Program Requirements
- Total Credits: 36 credits
- Other Common Requirements: Thesis, Field Practicum, or Capstone Course
Time to Complete
- Part-Time Program: 6 Years
- Full-Time Program: 2 Years
Gerontology Certificate Programs Online
Certificate programs at the undergraduate and graduate level offer a deep dive into gerontology that can generally be completed in about one year.
Learning topics based on degree level:
- Undergraduate: students become familiar with the principles of gerontology in order to provide services to older adults
- Graduate: generally combines gerontology studies with leadership development in order to prepare students to run organizations that cater to the elderly
Best for … people who want to begin providing services to senior citizens, as well as those who want to move up the ladder in their gerontology careers.
Program Requirements
- Total Credits: 24 credits
- Other Common Requirements: Internship, Capstone project
Time to Complete
- Part-Time Program: 2 Years
- Full-Time Program: 1 Years
Online PhDs in Gerontology
PhD programs focus on the strategies for conducting gerontology research. In addition, online PhDs in gerontology also help students develop leadership skills. In these programs, students learn how to:
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative research
- Analyze past research and gerontology policies
- Formulate theories
- Communicate research findings to other professionals
Best for … those who want to obtain a gerontology research position or become a college professor to train future gerontologists, as well as those who want to run gerontology organizations.
Program Requirements
- Total Credits: 60 credits
- Other Common Requirements: Dissertation
Time to Complete
- Part-Time Program: 8 Years
- Full-Time Program: 5 Years
Gerontology as a Specialization Within Other Degree Programs
Some schools offer gerontology as a standalone degree program, while others offer it as a concentration within a degree in a different academic discipline. The following are examples of other degree programs that may have a gerontology specialization.
Advanced Practice Nursing
gerontology teach students how to provide care that is tailored to the needs of older patients. In order to foster this understanding, these programs offer coursework on:
- Adult assessments
- Common health problems among the elderly
- Geriatric syndromes
- Transitional care for older, chronically ill patients
More information can be found on our dedicated page about online adult gerontology nurse practitioner degrees.
Human and Social Services
This degree prepares students to implement and execute programs that provide services to seniors in a community. Topics that may be covered include human services administration, grant writing, contemporary gerontology, culture and aging, and advocating on behalf of the elderly.
Social Work
Social workers need to tailor their practice to the needs of specific communities, so those who want to primarily work with senior citizens can earn this degree to become experts on the needs of elderly clients. Coursework may cover:
- Death and dying
- Grief
- Role of spirituality among older people
- Assisting seniors with substance abuse issues
Psychology
Psychology students who concentrate on gerontology focus on the psychological aspects of aging. These programs address:
Emotional support that people and their families need as they face the end of their lives
- Gerontology behavioral science research
- Counseling strategies for treating the elderly
- Social policies that affect older people
Finding Help Paying Your Online Gerontology Degree
No matter what program students choose, paying for an online gerontology degree can be challenging. Although the prospect of paying for a degree may seem overwhelming at first, there are ways for students to save money through financial aid, including:
- Federal scholarships and grants
- Institution-based aid
- Internship programs
- Work-study programs
- Employee assistance programs
- Student loans
For more information about how you can find and apply for financial aid to help pay for a gerontology degree program, read through our financial aid guide. You can also apply for one of EduMed’s four scholarships and learn about other scholarship opportunities on our dedicated scholarships page.
Recommended Gerontology Degree & Career Resources
Looking for even more information on degrees and careers in gerontology? We’ve put together the following list of top online resources so you can continue your research and keep on top of the latest industry trends.
Professional Gerontology Organizations
- American Society on Aging
- The Gerontological Society of America
- American Geriatrics Society
- National Association for Professional Gerontologists
- National Council on Aging
- Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education
- Southern Gerontological Society
- Georgia Gerontology Society
- International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics
- Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
Online Resources for Gerontology Students & Professionals
- National Council for Aging Care
- Alliance for Aging Research
- National Institute on Aging
- Today’s Geriatric Medicine
- Alzheimer’s Association
- AARP Staying Sharp
- GeriPal
- American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
