Dementia and Aging Studies (M.S.)
M.S. Dementia and Aging Studies
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.
| Degree | Concentration | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Degree M.S. | Concentration Dementia and Long-Term Care | Hours 36 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Minor Option No minor | Location Online |
Degree M.S. | Concentration Practitioner | Hours 33 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Minor Option No minor | Location Online |
Degree M.S. | Concentration Research | Hours 33 | Thesis Option Thesis | Minor Option No minor | Location Online |
100% Online
This program is completely online. If you are not a Texas resident and will not relocate, please visit the Office of Online and Extended Programs. International applicants will not be eligible to receive a Form I-20 or DS-2019 for an F-1 or J-1 visa from Texas State and may review the eligibility requirements of enrolling in online programs and contact the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) with questions.
Program Details
The Master of Science in Dementia and Aging Studies program 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.
Graduate Advisor
Dr. David Dietrich
dd34@txstate.edu
512.245.2113
Trauth-Huffman Hall (THH), Room 449
Advisor Support
Sara "Emrys" Williams
sw1332@txstate.edu
512.245.2113
Trauth-Huffman Hall (THH), Room 449C
Apply Now Already know that Texas State is right for you?
Application Deadlines
| Deadlines | U.S. Citizen | International |
|---|---|---|
Deadlines Fall - Priority | U.S. Citizen February 1 | International February 1 |
Deadlines Fall - Standard | U.S. Citizen July 15 (*Flexible) | International June 1 |
Deadlines Spring | U.S. Citizen October 15 (*Flexible) | International October 1 |
Deadlines Summer I | U.S. Citizen April 15 (*Flexible) | International March 15 |
Deadlines Summer II | U.S. Citizen June 1 (*Flexible) | International No Admission |
*This program’s deadline is flexible for those not requiring an F/J visa. A flexible deadline means applications received after the standard deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis with no guarantees for admission consideration.
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Funding Information Applications must be complete by the priority deadline to be considered for certain types of funding. |
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Decision Timeline This program reviews applications on a rolling basis. |
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
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Application
- Completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $55 Nonrefundable application fee, OR
- $90 Nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
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Transcripts & GPA
- 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.
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Test Scores
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.
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Documents
- 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.