Are you ready to make a difference?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans age 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060, equating to 23 percent of the total population.*
As a result, the United States is experiencing a significant shortage of qualified professionals who are equipped to manage, supervise, and provide high-quality services and supports for aging Americans. With a master’s degree in Aging Studies, you can be prepared to address this national workforce opportunity.
The online Master of Arts in Aging Studies program consists of thirty (30) credit hours of training through a diverse curriculum that prepares graduates to apply this knowledge in a wide range of professional settings. Choose from three different concentrations:
Administration: Prepares students to serve in administrative, managerial, and director positions within senior living and long-term care communities.
- Administrator-in-Training Program (AIT): Students pursuing this concentration are also eligible to complete the AIT program, providing the practical experience required to become a licensed nursing home administrator.
Public Health: Prepares students to work in the Public Health sector such as local government agencies and community programming. Specific focus in public health and aging, epidemiology, environmental health, statistics, and the social/behavioral aspects of public health.
- Graduate Certificate in Public Health (GCPH): Students in this concentration also earn the GCPH, a nationally recognized certification, alongside their Master’s degree.
Social Sciences: Prepares students to engage older adults in the community through senior centers, senior programming, and/or social services. Ideal for current social service professionals looking to advance their careers and enhance their capacity to work with older adults.
Learn more about course requirements in the Graduate School Catalog:
The online dual/accelerated bachelor's to master's in Aging Studies is designed to prepare qualified students for graduate work in Aging Studies at WSU, while allowing them to earn dual credit towards their bachelor's degree. The accelerated program is ideal for undergradute students across multiple disciplines entering their junior/senior year. A student admitted to the accelerated program will be allowed to enroll in courses for graduate credit (up to 9 credit hours) while completing their undergraduate degree requirements. Allowed dual credit hours include AGE 717, AGE 798, and AGE 818.
For assessment regarding eligibility for admissions, please contact the Graduate Coordinator Jacie Green.
Learn more about course requirements in the Graduate School Catalog:
Attainable, affordable, quality online education. Students in the fully online Aging Studies graduate degree program at Wichita State University pay in-state tuition regardless of state of residency.
$421.94 per credit hour*
*Based on 2019-2020 tuition rates and are subject to change.
Graduates from the Aging Studies program at Wichita State University are making a positive impact in the aging professions through opportunities such as:
- Activities Director in Senior Living
- Business Office Manager in Senior Living
- District Operations and Membership Recruitment
- Executive Director of Independent, Assisted, and Memory Care
- Faculty for Higher Education
- Health Promotion and Physical Fitness
- Licensed Nursing Home Administrator
- Marketing in Senior Living
- Product Sales
- Senior Center Director
- Senior Services Program Manager
- Volunteer Coordinator
Already a working professional?
A Master’s in Aging Studies can help transition your career so that you are better prepared to serve the aging population. This flexible online Master’s program is ideal for licensed social workers, nurses, dental hygienists, and those in the field of communication sciences, exercise science, psychology, business, and education.
Application and Admission Requirements
- Fall: July 15
- Spring: December 1
- Summer: April 15
- A bachelor degree of any discipline will be considered. A GRE test score will not be required.
- A minimum of a 2.75 GPA (on a 4.00 scale) or a 2.75 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.
Select a concentration in the link provided to view specific information:
All WSU Graduate School applications must be completed online. Once you have created an account and have selected your choice of study, you will be prompted to provide required application material.
Find out more information about steps on how to apply to WSU Graduate School:
* Source: Population Reference Bureau. (2019, July 15). Fact sheet: Aging in the United States. https://www.prb.org/aging-unitedstates-fact-sheet/
