Dr. Daniel J. Van DussenDepartment of Sociology,

Anthropology, and Gerontology6/27/12

The Proposed Gerontology Master of Arts Degree at

Youngstown State University

Program History

First aging related courses in Ohio 1957Steering Committees 1978, 1996, 2006-

presentGerontology major 2008Heavy state and national participation in

aging 2000-present

Justification for a Gerontology MA

Growth of the Certificate in Applied Gerontology

Student InterestUniversity InterestCommunity InterestDemography of the United States

Source: US Census Bureau, International Data Base

Source: US Census Bureau, International Data Base

Ohio’s Age Distribution

Largest total populations of older adults 2025:

Rank State Number

1 California 7,284,978

2 Florida 6,387,843

3 Texas 4,500,152

4 New York 3,606,687

5 Pennsylvania 2,688,781

6 Illinois 2,226,431

7 Ohio 2,206,698

8 Arizona 1,940,356

9 Michigan 1,926,396

10 North Carolina 1,897,902

Sources: United States Census and http://proximityone.com/st003065.htm

Admissions Criteria

GPAGREThree letters of recommendationLetter of intentOptional interviewUndergraduate or graduate statistics course9 semester hours of aging related coursework

Proposed Gerontology Program

36 credit HoursInternshipInterdisciplinary in NatureAppliedDesigned to use existing areas of expertise at

YSUDifferent than existing MA programs in Ohio

Core CurriculumDepartment Catalog # Course Title Hours Instructor(s)

GERO 6905 Social Gerontology 3 Van Dussen

GERO 6915 Service Delivery and Aging/Policy 3 Slivinske and Binning

PSYCH 6957 Adult Development 3 Newton

GERO 6906 Perspectives in Gerontology 3 Van Dussen

GERO 6960 Epidemiology of Aging 3 Van Dussen

GERO 6999 Research Methods 3 Boron and Li

GERO/NURS 6998 Anatomy and Physiology of Aging 3 Weaver and Balendiran

GERO 7000 Advanced Multivariate Statistics 3 Li and Boron

GERO 7090 Field Practicum 3 Van Dussen, Slivinske

GERO 7094 Selected Topics 3 Leson (first offering), all.

ElectivesDepartment Catalog # Course Title Hours Instructor(s)

PSYCH/GERO 6959 Behavior Change, Intervention, and Aging

3 Boron

GERO 7001 Long-Term Care 3 Li

SCWK 7006 Social Work in Aging 3 Slivinske

PSYCH/GERO 7011 Mental Health and Aging 3 Hire in progress

GERO 7099 Thesis 6 Chosen by student

GERO 7090 Field Practicum 3 Van Dussen, Slivinske

GERO 7094 Selected Topics in Gerontology 3 Leson (first offering), all.

Thesis vs. Non-Thesis Track

Students may choose to do a thesis (see above curriculum)

ORThree additional semester hours in Field

PracticumANDOne additional elective for the non-thesis

track. The non-thesis track is designed for those who are less likely to continue for a PhD.

Growth Opportunities for YSU

Marketing to new parts of Ohio and the United States

Expanded emphasis on researchNational reputationGrowing field of inquiryBuilding on Ohio reputation through our

current research

Questions