Concentration in Gerontology

          "I wish I could find a program that I could complete during my free time."                    "I want a graduate education that I can readily apply to my workplace."                    "I want to enjoy my next degree and not feel pressured to compete with other students."                    "I don't have time to come to campus every week for classes, so my classes have to be designed for the distance learner."     

Program Description

Did you know that people over the age of 80 are the fastest growing segment of our society today? Individuals who have studied gerontology (study of aging) are in high demand in the 21st century. Careers may include areas as diverse as wellness, rehabilitation, marketing, interior design, health care, policy development, government, and law. With a graduate degree, you should be in a leadership role to advance the broad understanding of the diverse and complex issues, challenges, and opportunities that face individuals and society in aging. Students completing their MLS program in this concentration will have the following notation on their transcripts: "Liberal Studies (Health Sciences)"

Program Curriculum

The Master of Liberal Studies allows the student to customize their program of study according to individual needs and areas of interest. The student seeking a MLS with an emphasis in gerontology develops a specific 18 credit hour plan with the approval of the Coordinator of Gerontology. A required 3 hour culminating course can be taken as a research paper or project, the development of an original creative work, an internship, or other special project. Listed below are courses offered in Gerontology that may be taken in concert with other aging-related courses at FHSU for the core in gerontology. Please contact Dr. Liane Connelly at (785) 628-4498 or email at: lconnell@fhsu.edu to discuss other pertinent courses for this program of study. Below are the courses available in the curriculum of the gerontology concentration.

• SOCW 620 (3) Spirituality and Aging: The Empowering Relationship
• BIOL 605 (3) Physiology of Aging
• SLP 665 (2) Communication and Aging
• HHP 617 (2) Nutrition and Aging
• HHP 619 (2) Exercise Testing and Prescription for the Elderly
• NURS 814 (3) Health Care Systems
• SOC 644 (3) Sociology of Aging

Other select courses/topic areas that may be useful for specific interests in aging:

• Marketing
• Healthcare systems/administration
• Art therapy
• Courses in sociology related to the older adult
• Grant writing courses
• Wellness courses and the older adult
• Education of the older adult/teaching strategies
• Leadership courses
• Policy development courses

Topics or readings courses to allow for creative activities such as attendance at a conference on aging or additional reading in a particular area of aging

Program Contact

Contact Person: Dr. Liane Connelly, (785) 628-4498, or email at: lconnell@fhsu.edu Once you have been admitted to this concentration, please follow the MLS Checklist and carefully read The MLS Student Handbook.

For more information, contact: Art Morin, Director of the Master of Liberal Studies Program Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, Davis Hall 206 Fort Hays State University Hays, KS 67601 (785) 628-5950

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