Dementia and Aging Studies (M.S.)

M.S. Dementia and Aging Studies

Students learn about dementia, aging, and caregiving to empower caregivers and foster autonomy for older adults and persons with dementia.
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Program Overview

In response to the critical need for a competent workforce for the aging population, Texas State created the master of science (M.S.) in dementia and aging studies program. The curriculum emphasizes knowledge of dementia, aging and the person-centered model of care.

Course Work

This program offers three concentrations emphasizing different coursework and providing distinct career outcomes.

  • The practitioner concentration offers a wide variety of elective courses tailored to the interests of those who wish to become dementia and aging specialists. They can serve in the workplace and in the community as educators, advocates or consultants, applying an innovative and rights-based understanding of issues such as dementia care, aging in place, and hospice, to help improve the lived experiences of families and individuals.
  • The research concentration focuses on advanced research knowledge to accompany the cutting-edge information offered in the core dementia and aging courses, preparing students for doctoral programs.
  • The dementia and long-term care concentration combines long-term care and sociology courses to provide a social model of care approach to students aiming to work in extended living environments upon graduation.
DegreeConcentrationHoursThesis OptionLocation
Degree
M.S.
Concentration
Dementia and Long-Term Care
Hours
36
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Location
Online
Degree
M.S.
Concentration
Practitioner
Hours
33
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Location
Online
Degree
M.S.
Concentration
Research
Hours
33
Thesis Option
Thesis
Location
Online

For more information on online programs, certifications, and international restrictions, visit our Application Policy Information page.

What Our Alumni Say

“I was my mom's care partner until she died from Alzheimer's-related causes. I wanted to pay these experiences forward. During the program, I integrated what I learned to design a smart home, launched a start-up, and received a National Academy of Medicine grant to develop an AI prototype for individuals with dementia who wish to remain in their own homes. The greatest experience of all was the connections with the professors and students in the program."

— Lisa R. Fournier, Class of '22

Program Details

The master of science in d0ementia and aging studies at Texas State is ranked 10th among online gerontology programs in the United States.

Program Mission

The mission of the master of science (M.S.) in dementia and aging studies program is to educate from a global, interdisciplinary, and human rights perspective to create compassion and understanding for persons with dementia and older adults.

The department accomplishes this mission by preparing students for dementia-and aging-related careers in teaching, advocacy, research, and leadership to empower care partners and foster autonomy for persons with dementia and older adults.

Career Options

Graduates will make an immediate positive influence in their profession or be able to pursue further graduate studies leading toward research-related careers. Most will pursue advanced management and leadership opportunities in professional settings related to long-term care, hospices and hospitals, while others will develop new approaches to support persons living with dementia.

Program Faculty

Faculty conduct research on topics including, but not limited to, dementia, cognitive impairment, long-term care workers, caregiving, aging-in-place and dementia-friendly environments. They present their research at national and international conferences, including the Gerontological Society of America, American Society on Aging, International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics World Congress and the Association for Gerontology and Higher Education. Faculty have published books, book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles in top venues in their field, such as Innovation in Aging, Aging and Health, The Gerontologist, Social Science and Medicine and the Journal of Gerontology.

Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.

Program Contacts

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Application Process

Application Deadlines

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For important information regarding deadlines and decision timelines, review the Application Policy Information page.

Admission Requirements

The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international webpages.

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  • Review important information about the online application.

    • $55 nonrefundable application fee, OR
    • $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials

    Review important information about application fees.

    • Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
    • A copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted.
    • A 3.0 overall GPA or a 3.0 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work, plus any completed graduate courses.
    • Background course work: at least six hours of undergraduate sociology/social science courses related to aging or gerontology. (Two years of documented experience in the field of gerontology may be substituted for three or six hours of social science prerequisites.) 

    If you do not have sufficient background courses or work experience in social science or areas related to aging or gerontology, you must take leveling courses prior to beginning graduate studies in the program. Courses may be completed as a non-degree seeking student (with approval from the Director of Graduate Programs in Sociology) at Texas State University or other universities.

    Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.

  • GRE

    • GRE not required

    Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores

    Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.

    • official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
    • official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
    • official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
    • official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
    • official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall

    This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.

    Review important information about official test scores.

    • resume/CV
    • statement of purpose (two pages, double-spaced with your full name and contact information) describing your personal and career goals. Include your academic interests and the relationship of this graduate degree to your life/personal goals. Also, discuss why you are interested in this particular graduate program and explain your career goals after earning the degree. The Graduate Admissions Committee will evaluate the following:
      • Did you demonstrate a familiarity with the field?
      • Did you indicate your strengths (background, experience, training, and education)?
      • Did you express how the program will hone your skills?
      • Did your statement show excellence or promise in writing skills? 
    • three letters of recommendation from professionals competent to assess the applicant’s interest in pursuing a career in this field of study

    Review important information about documents.

Additional Information

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