Distance Programs

Online programs in Gerontology are offered through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance.

• Masters in Gerontology
• Certificate in Gerontology
• Participating universities
• Proposed Course Schedule
• Frequently Asked Questions (Adobe Acrobat)

Other Resources

• Great Plains IDEA
• KSU Great Plains IDEA (Admission, Orientation, Enrollment and Graduation information for KSU students)
• Institute for Academic Alliances

For answers to your questions or for more information on the Masters or the Certificate in Gerontology please review the Frequently Asked Questions document (see link above) or contact the Center on Aging at .

Additional Information

Computer Technology Required

You will need a computer with a CD-ROM/DVD drive, the ability to access and download materials from the Internet, and an updated web browser. High-speed internet access is strongly recommended. Visit the K-State Information Technology Services website for KSU minimum system requirements and recommended computer configurations.

Most courses will use Internet classrooms. Some have supplemental materials on videos or CDs and others may require phone conferencing. Interactivity between students and professor is through e-mail, phone conferencing and the Internet classroom. A discussion of the various types of course delivery which may be used in classes is on the K-State Division of Continuing Education website.

Careers in Gerontology

Gerontology is the multidisciplinary study of the aging processes and individuals as they grow from middle age through later life. It includes (a) the study of physical, mental, and social changes in older people as they age; (b) the investigation of the changes in society resulting from our aging population; and (c) the application of this knowledge to policies and programs. It offers challenging and rewarding careers in an area that is growing rapidly, that needs people with a broad range of skills, and that will improve people's lives.

We live in an aging society, one in which the older population is growing both in absolute numbers and in proportion to all other age groups. Businesses, government agencies, service organizations, educational institutions, and self-employed professionals from every economic sector are recognizing the need for specialized knowledge and skills to meet the needs of this changing demography.

People who are interested in this diverse field come from many disciplines, professions, and clinical areas, such as social work, nursing, counseling, recreation, public policy, long-term care administration, medicine, architecture, psychology, adult education, and rehabilitation therapy. Some people work directly with older persons in a wide variety of programs and services in the community. Others work on behalf of older persons in areas such as advocacy and teaching about aging.

For more information on career opportunities and options in the field of gerontology please visit Careers in Aging.

Material adapted from Careers in Aging by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE).

Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance

The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA) is a consortium of Human Sciences Colleges at ten universities. Students who participate in inter-institutional programs matriculate at one institution, take courses at several, and meet graduation requirements at the institution at which they matriculated. Inter-institutional programs are developed and implemented by teams of graduate faculty representing all participating institutions.