GRAD > GERON GR
Graduate Gerontology Courses
GERON GR 601 Research Methods and Experimental Design +
GERON GR 603L Statistical Methods in the analysis of Social Problems I +
Description:
This required core course introduces foundational concepts in statistics for social science research including: descriptive statistics, probability distributions, hypothesis testing, bivariate inferential techniques, and multiple linear regression. The course focuses on understanding the components of a dataset, selecting appropriate descriptive and inferential techniques, evaluation assumptions of these techniques, generating statistical analyses, interpreting results, and presenting findings. The course familiarizes students with statistical software commonly used in social science research. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 604L Statistical Methods in the Analysis of Social Problems II +
Description:
This required core course explores widely used regression methods in statistics and social science research including: ordinary least squares, probit, and logit regression models. Additional topics may include time series analysis, weighted least squares and non-linear transformations. The course focuses on how to select an appropriate model, specify its mathematical form, and use the model to test hypotheses and estimate outcomes. The course explores a variety of issues related to estimating regression models including mission variables, multi-collinearity, heteroskedasticity, and diagnostic procedures to identify and address these issues. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 609L Qualitative Methods and Field Research +
Description:
This course is designed to introduce students to qualitative research methods; its specific focus is on policy research and aging. Students practice the skills needed to observe the world around them by attending to social phenomena, descriptively and analytically. The course functions as both a seminar and a research workshop, and students learn by engaging in a field work project. More Info
Offered in:- TBA
GERON GR 610 Understanding Data: Research Methods for Managers +
Description:
This course aims to allow graduate students to use data and understand and apply evidence to their management of aging services. It introduces them to basic research methods; trains them to understand and use social science research literature; and provides an overview of monitoring and reporting program performance. Students will learn about the scientific method and the basics of research, including sampling, measurement, basic statistics, and research design options. The course also trains them to be critical consumers of scientific research, teaching them to locate, evaluate, and summarize published research. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 611 Health and Physical Changes in Aging +
Description:
Those who provide and manage services for the elderly, or are involved in public policy and research concerning the elderly, need knowledge about the physical process of aging. This course describes the physiological changes that accompany the aging process and relates these to social and economic factors that influence health status. Discussion topics include issues of prevention, health promotion and health maintenance, and selected disorders that affect health and independent living. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 612 Healthy Aging Perspectives +
Description:
This course examines the physical process of aging and the effects on physical health, mental health, social and economic factors and relationships from an applied gerontology perspective. These topics are applied to disease prevention, health promotion, health maintenance, and selected disorders that effect health and independent living. Public policy and program development issues will be addressed and incorporated into management and administration of aging services. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 621 Social Aspects Aging +
Description:
This course presents a social perspective on the aging process. It considers social factors that influence aging and the nature of the integration of the aged into society, as well as the way in which population aging affects the society as a whole. The course also looks at social theories of aging, paying special attention to changing social roles, social stratification and aging, and the development of institutions for the aged. Gender, race, ethnicity, and class are discussed as social categories that influence aging and that play a role in the determination of social policy for the aged. Readings on the status, role, and culture of the aged are drawn from the literature of sociology, economics, and anthropology. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 622 Social Perspectives on Aging for Long-Term Services and Support Providers +
Description:
This course provides an in-depth look at the sociological aspects of aging from an applied perspective useful to administrators and managers. The course focuses on how social arrangements impact aging individuals and their families and how aging individuals impact society. We will also discuss emerging trends in the long-term care systems, such as technological advances, consumer directed care, aging in place, and alternatives to nursing home placement. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 623 Issues in Aging Policy +
Description:
This course introduces students to the development, implementation, and analysis of social policy in the United States on major issues affecting older people. Income security, health care financing, and long-term care receive major attention. Discussions also focus on the programs mandated by the Older Americans Act; and participants examine the major normative, demographic, economic, and political forces that underlie aging policy. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 624 Aging Policy and Programming +
Description:
The course provides a general framework for understanding and analyzing social policy, employing an applied perspective relevant to administrators and managers in organizations such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health care, and state and local government agencies. In addition, the course offers an overview of aging policy at the federal and state levels, with attention to financial security, access to health care, long-term care, and the Older Americans Act. Students gain experience in both policy analysis and policy advocacy. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 628 Psychology of Aging +
Description:
This course focuses on psychosocial processes throughout the second half of life, from middle age through the ''young old'' and ''old old'' years. It addresses both normal aging and psychopathology. Of special concern is the question of whether there are any systematic intrinsic psychological or personality changes associated with development in later life. The course also focuses on the processes used to cope with age-associated transitions ranging from the empty nest to impending death. It explores theoretical models for understanding coping and adaptation, developmental changes, and psychopathology. Other topics include clarification of the causes and nature of the most common psychopathologies, depression, and Alzheimer's disease; and the psychodynamics of institutionalization and family care of the very old. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 629 Understanding Psychological Processes in Older Adults +
Description:
This course focuses on psychological processes in the second half of life. Administrators and managers will benefit from a foundation in the psychological issues that accompany the aging process. The course addresses both normal aging and psychopathology. The course analyzes normal age-related psychological changes, common psychopathologies, dementia, and the psychodynamics of caregiving for older adults. The policy implications of psychological changes in later life are presented with attention to the delivery of effective and efficient interventions. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 630 Residential Long Term Care Management +
Description:
This class will provide a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities of residential care administration for older people. The National Association of Boards of Registration in Nursing Home Administration supports state licensing programs for residential care managers including nursing home administrators. This class will provide a broad understanding of aging issues, and specific elements of administration in residential service settings, while addressing the requirements for licensure. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 635 Leadership and Ethics in Aging Services +
Description:
Increasing numbers of baby boomers will enter the services offered by the aging network. This growing population will require the leaders in the network to manage with limited resources. Decisions about programs and services will need to be made with innovation, forethought and deliberation, decisions that need to be based on law and ethics. How should limited resources be offered to this growing elder population? Will they be allocated, and how? Is allocation ethical? And, as society moves forward, how will other changes impact elders? This course prepares students for the decisions they will need to make as they become leaders in the field of aging. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 636 Technology and Aging +
Description:
This course is designed to familiarize students with the concepts of the development, management and use of technology in aging services as applied in primarily community-based home settings and senior residential environments (versus institutional settings). This course seeks to develop the critical thinking and strategic planning skills that are needed in today's rapidly changing elder and health care environments as technology is and will play an increasingly large role in how we provide, manage and evaluate aging services. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 638 Environmental Gerontology +
Description:
This course provides a comprehensive overview of design interventions for older adults. Important related theories and frameworks, details of home modifications, components of age-friendly communities (urban, suburban, and rural - both public and private), and important policies that inform this work are covered. Students have the opportunity to conduct environmental micro-and macro-level audits and to interview allied professionals. Readings provide details that students can immediately apply to their current aging services work. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 640 Introduction to Senior Transportation +
Description:
As the baby boomers come of age, transportation will become a major challenge. This course is designed for emerging and seasoned professionals in the field of aging services and transportation services who are interested in learning more about senior transportation challenges. It also discusses strategies for addressing those challenges and how we can plan to meet the mobility needs of an aging population. While the course will emphasize the concept and practice of Supplemental Transportation Programs for seniors (STPs), it also will discuss the wants and needs of older adult passengers. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 645 Marketing of Aging Services +
Description:
This course examines marketing principles as applied to aging services organizations. Students will learn about marketing concepts, objectives, and brand names. The course will also explore the current structure of aging organizations in Massachusetts and relate these to current marketing principles and strategies. Students will learn to apply marketing concepts to effectively manage and operate an aging services organization. This course provides students with the opportunity to see how marketing principles and practice come together within the context of various types of aging services organizations. More Info
Offered in:- TBA
GERON GR 650 Service Delivery Issues in Aging +
Description:
This course focuses on the links between consumers and aging services in organizational settings with well-developed formal services. The aim of the course is to provide students with an understanding of the structural problems that underlie the challenges that consumers face in using formal services. The course covers a wide range of services that older people may need, the complementary relationship between formal and informal services, boundary issues among service specialties and service professionals, service coordination and integration, and the role of both consumer direction and professional case management in negotiating service systems. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 660 Organization and Financing of Aging Services +
Description:
This course is offered as a core course in the aging service track of the Masters in Gerontology. Students who are interested in pursuing career opportunities in management of long term care organizations will benefit from this course content. The influences of organizational and financial forces upon aging service are analyzed in this course. Three sources of public financing --Medicare, Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act--are examined in depth. The relative strengths of public and private financing are examined with attention to both access and quality issues. It is assumed that the student do not have any background knowledge of accounting and finance. Therefore, foundational elements in accounting and finance will be covered in this course. The student will acquire an understanding of accounting principles, economic decision-making and industry factors as they pertain to aging service agencies. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 670 Human Resources & Personnel Management in Aging Services +
Description:
This course is designed to familiarize students with the concepts of human resources management as they are applied in primarily public, non-profit settings. In particular, the course will focus on human resources and personnel management as applied to the aging services field. The examples used in the course will come from organizations such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, senior centers and councils on aging. Issues to be addressed will include hiring and supervision, performance appraisal, mentoring, career planning, equal employment opportunity, diversity and collective bargaining. Students will examine job design and pay systems, methods of personnel selection and training, issues of productivity and work hours, team building, effects of government regulations on working conditions and personnel administration. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 675 Organizational Change +
Description:
Organizations play a critical role in both professional and personal realms.This course examines the structure of organizations including internal and external forces, and approaches to changing the way that organizations operate. Students will explore the current structure of aging organizations at the federal, state and local level including government, advocacy and service organizations. Students will also review emerging trends in the long term care system which may impact the mission, vision and structure of organizations. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 688 Multidisciplinary Seminar in Aging +
GERON GR 691 Capstone Project Seminar +
Description:
The course guides each master's student through the production to completion of a research project and report. Topics include a critique of unresolved issues in analyses of age, cohort, and period effects; an exposition of theoretical developments in social gerontological theory and their application to the issue of social policy and aging; explication of a research project, including interview training; research problem development, implementation of appropriate research methods for specific problems, and how to prepare a written document that describes the design of the project, the results of the analysis, and conclusions. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 692 Capstone Project Seminar in Managment of Aging Services +
Description:
This capstone offers each student the opportunity to develop a special project in his or her specific area of interest. This includes researching the topic, identifying an issue, developing strategy and a work plan, and establishing a timeline and implementation schedule. The course is intended to assist students in implementing their knowledge and skills developed during their course of study. Projects undertaken should evidence an understanding and mastery of areas such as policy development an analysis, program management, administration, and finance. The course is also intended to show student mastery of self-direction and task management. Students are expected to take this class at or near the end of their course of study in the Management of Aging Services Master's Program. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 697 Special Topics in Aging Policy +
GERON GR 701 Advanced Statistical Methods in Gerontology +
Description:
This course instructs students in advanced statistical topics and provides training in the use of corresponding computer methods. The course builds upon the statistical foundations established in GERON 601, 603, 604, and 605, providing technical skills for use in the complex and specialized statistical research found in the social sciences. In addition to class time, this course requires independent work at the computer. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 724 Diversity in Aging Societies +
Description:
This seminar provides an overview of social theory and research relating to diversity and inequality in aging populations. The course will be organized around themes that are central to the aging experience for the population as a whole, but that shape the collective experience of groups within and across societies in distinctive ways. ''Diversity'' in this course is construed broadly to incorporate race, ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation, immigration status, and ability, as well as how these identities interact. Particular attention will be directed toward understanding intersections with historical experiences, demographic characteristics, life course trajectories, cultural characteristics and socioeconomic differences in shaping diverse later life experiences. Opportunities and challenges for research will be examined. More Info
Offered in:- TBA
GERON GR 726 Current National Data Bases in Gerontological Policy Research +
Description:
This course introduces students to the use of large national databases for gerontological social policy research. It provides a brief survey of the scope and content of various public-use national databases used in gerontological research, as well as an in-depth examination of one of these major databases. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of statistical programming; to the use of such standard statistical packages as Statistical Analysis System (SAS); and to methods and strategies for basic analytic data file construction. These programming skills are applied to actual gerontological databases through examples presented by the instructor, as well as through a series of take-home student assignments completed by the students. In addition to class time, this course requires independent work at a computer. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 727 Research Practicum in Gerontology +
Description:
This course provides students with a guided experience in writing an empirical research paper of publishable quality. Participants address a research question through secondary statistical analysis of a large survey data set supplied by the instructor. They critically examine published papers to learn how to write empirical papers for refereed gerontology journals. The statistical analysis involves application of multiple regression techniques. Students receive guidance from the instructor in all aspects of writing the paper: introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, and discussion. They also learn how to construct complex statistical tables. The course requires independent work conducting analysis of statistical data at a computer. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 760 Policy Analysis Techniques +
Description:
The course introduces students to a variety of formal methods used in policy analysis in gerontology. Topics include methods of legal research; projection techniques; factorial survey designs to determine the normative underpinnings of policy; measurement of inequality; measurement of efficiency in targeting; use of matrices for analysis of goals and alternatives; benefit-cost analysis; assessment of political feasibility; assessment of feasibility of implementation; and evaluation research. Students learn how to apply the various techniques through a series of assignments. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 761 Advanced Policy Analysis in Aging +
Description:
This course is concerned with the formation, justification, and implementation of aging policy in the United States. Designed for students with a background in the history, economics, and political economy of aging policy, the course provides an opportunity to apply this knowledge to the shaping of current public policy. The course explores agenda setting, the dynamics of the political process, and the variety of ways in which political power can be used. Students write a paper designed to inform decision makers on a current policy issue in aging. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 796 Independent Study in Aging Policy +
Description:
This course provides students the opportunity for independent research under the direction of a faculty member. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 798 Internship in Gerontology +
Description:
Students participate in policy research or policy analysis of aging-related issues in various settings, including but not limited to government agencies, research institutes at other universities, and nonprofit organizations. Each internship is supervised by a faculty member. Students receive credit on the basis of a paper that reflects the substantive work accomplished through the internship and/or the general knowledge gained through the internship about policy research or policy analysis. More Info
Offered in:GERON GR 899 Dissertation Research +
Description:
This course focuses on research conducted under faculty supervision, leading to the presentation of a doctoral dissertation. More Info
Offered in: