Gerontology — Management of Aging Services Track (MAS)

The Management of Aging Services (MAS) track provides qualified graduate students with advanced training in gerontology and managerial practices relevant to the aging services field, enabling them to be administrators in the aging services network. The MAS program is designed primarily for mid-career professionals in the aging field, but it is also appropriate for persons who wish to enter the field for the first time. With the aging of the American population, especially the baby boom generation, and the concomitant rise in the demand for aging services in Massachusetts and throughout the United States, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and governmental agencies require persons trained to administer and manage these services. The objectives of the MAS track are to provide graduate students with (a) a foundation in economic, social-psychological, and health aspects of aging populations, along with the service delivery needs of these populations, (b) basic knowledge in formal organizational structures, personnel management, financing and marketing as relevant to the aging services field, and (c) a capstone course that provides firsthand experience with aging services organizations where coursework may be applied.

The MAS track requires the completion of 30 credit hours: eight required courses and two elective courses. Courses are offered in the evenings, on Saturdays, and in distance-learning formats to make it possible for persons who are working to take the courses. The delivery of courses relies on distance learning technologies, including online courses and interactive television, allowing students to attend class both at the UMass Boston campus and at satellite locations (e.g., UMass Boston Plymouth Campus and North Shore Community College).

Prior to graduation, students are required to take a capstone course which will involve working with the course instructor to develop and complete a project tailored to the student’s interests and work goals. The project is based on a work/internship experience in an agency within the aging network and includes a traditional term paper summarizing and analyzing the experience. The student’s project will demonstrate his/her understanding of management issues within an aging services organizational setting and a capacity to respond to these issues in a thoughtful and resourceful manner.

Each summer, new students are required to attend an event on campus where the students are provided an orientation to the Program and the UMass Boston campus. In addition, frequent workshops are held during the academic year at the UMass Boston campus on a variety of topics to assist students with incorporating academic material learned in the courses into the professional workforce.

Required Courses

GERON 611 (Health and Physical Aspects of Aging)

GERON 623 (Issues in Aging Policy)

GERON 650 (Service Delivery Issues in Aging)

GERON 660 (Organization and Financing of Aging Services)

GERON 691 (Capstone Project)

As this Bulletin goes to press, the following required courses are in development:

Financial Management of Aging Services

Human Resources and Personnel Management

Elective Courses

GERON 621 (Social Aspects of Aging)

GERON 626 (Economic Issues in Aging Populations)

GERON 628 (Psychology of Aging)

Other relevant courses as approved by the Director of the MAS Track.