Why This Matters

  • ELDERLY POPULATION RISING TO 95M BY 2060

    According to the Population Reference Bureau, the number of Americans age 65 and older will grow from 52 million to 95 million within the next 40 years. Adults 65 and older will account for 23 percent of the U.S. population.

  • HEALTHCARE JOBS TO INCREASE BY 14% BY 2028

    This rising elderly population is a main driving factor in the increase in employment of healthcare professionals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1.9 million new jobs in this sector, particularly for support occupations.

  • EARN $33,290 MORE PER YEAR WITH A MASTER’S

    A master’s degree can lead to management roles, such as medical and health services manager, which earn an average annual salary of $99,730. By comparison, bachelor’s-level healthcare workers earn $66,440 per year on average.

Our Research

We concentrated our research on programs that offer degrees in gerontology. Students typically earn either a Master of Arts (MA) or a Master of Science (MS) degree in this field.

To ensure flexibility, we focused on reviewing programs that can be completed fully or primarily online. In instances where schools offer classes both on-campus and online, students may have the option of completing the program through a mixture of in-person and online coursework.

All of the schools on our list have regional accreditation. This confirms that they meet high standards of quality for postsecondary education. Several programs are also accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).

We evaluated the programs based on their flexibility, faculty, cost, outcomes, and reputation. Then we calculated an Intelligent Score for each program on a scale of 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.

  • 76 hours to write this article
  • 195 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 411 education programs we compared

The Top 32 Online Master’s in Gerontology Programs

Best Online Master's in Gerontology Degree Programs
01
Intelligent Pick
Eastern Illinois University
01
Most Experienced Faculty
Kansas State University
01
Best Student Support Services
Texas Tech University
01
Best Student-Teacher Ratio
Concordia University Chicago
01
Best for Veterans
University of Nebraska Omaha
01
Most Interactive Platform
UMass Boston Online
01
Best Social Gerontology Focus
University of Central Missouri
01
Best in the South
University of Florida
01
Best Master of Science Degree
UNC Greensboro
01
Best Dementia Focus
Texas State University
01
Best Concentration Options
University of Louisiana Monroe
01
Best Scholarships
OSU Online
01
Best Private Research University
George Washington University
01
Best Internships
University of Indianapolis
01
Best Nurse Education Focus
Michigan State University
01
Best Acute Care Focus
University of Southern Indiana
01
Best Public University
University of North Texas
01
Best Primary Care Focus
Seton Hall University
01
Most Affordable
Fort Hays State University
01
Best Clinical Placements
University of North Dakota
01
Best Public Research University
The University of Texas at Arlington
01
Best Master of Arts Degree
Wichita State University
01
Most Military Friendly
North Dakota State University
01
Most Flexible
Iowa State University - Gerontology
01
Best Non-Thesis Program
University of Missouri
01
Best in the Northeast
Rutgers University
01
Best Christian University
Southeastern University
01
Best in the Southeast
McDaniel College
01
Best Self-Paced Program
University of Arkansas
01
Best Electives
Nova Southeastern University
01
Alumni Recommended
Brenau University
01
Best Multidisciplinary Curriculum
Webster University
01
Most Customizable
Erickson School of Aging Studies - UMBC
01
Best in the West
University of Southern California
01
Fastest Completion Time
University of Utah College of Nursing

What You Should Know About This Degree

Gerontology is a complex field that deals with all aspects of the aging process, including physical, mental, and emotional care for the elderly, and helping individuals, families, and communities cope with the aging process. As such, there are multiple career paths open to those earning a master’s in gerontology, including employment in healthcare facilities, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, social service agencies, government, and private businesses.

Before selecting a master’s in gerontology program, consider what area of the field you are interested in working in, so you can matriculate into a program that will allow you to focus on your area of interest.

Working with elderly populations presents some unique challenges, including working with individuals suffering from dementia or memory loss, navigating the balance between independence and assistance, and developing emotional attachments to individuals who are nearing the end of their lives. Individuals who work with the elderly must be patient, compassionate, and physically and emotionally strong. While a master’s in gerontology program will give you the skills you need for various roles, you should consider whether you have the right natural aptitudes for working in this field.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching Online Master’s in Gerontology programs:

  • How are online courses delivered? Distance learning programs are usually delivered via synchronous or asynchronous classes. Students attend synchronous classes remotely at set times throughout the term. Asynchronous classes do not have set meeting times. Instead, students can access their lessons and assignments at any time. Decide which type of delivery method works best for you based on your schedule before selecting a program.
  • Am I eligible for this program? Some master’s in gerontology programs require students to have an educational or professional background in gerontology or a related human development field. When researching programs, be sure to review their eligibility requirements to confirm that you meet the minimum qualifications for admission.

This is also a good time to gather your application materials. Make note of application deadlines so that you can submit your materials in a timely manner. This will help your admissions process go as smoothly as possible.

Financing your graduate degree is another important consideration. Research funding options including student loans, scholarships, assistantships, and grants. If you are currently employed, find out if your employer offers any kind of tuition assistance benefits.