If you’re interested in an advanced degree in the medical field, one of your options is to pursue a general master of science, or MS, with a concentration in the area of healthcare that most interests you. One of your options is to get an MS in gerontology, the study of aging. (See also MHA degrees in gerontology.) As drugs and other treatment options continue to advance, people are living longer in larger numbers, meaning that the need for workers in the gerontology field is ever-increasing.

While an MS in gerontology doesn’t qualify you to actually treat patients as a doctor or nurse, you will be able to work with the senior citizen community in other ways. You can work in nursing homes, hospitals, non-profits, government departments, and more with a degree in gerontology.

Your classes in an MS in gerontology course will prepare you for some of the challenges associated with working with the elderly. Often, you’ll be dealing with patients who have mental conditions, such as dementia, so communicating can be difficult. You’ll also have to work with families in many cases, which adds another layer to the communication and can present challenges in some cases, depending on the family’s involvement. In addition, many gerontology patients need help with mobility, so you’ll learn proper ways of dealing with these issues. Other topic matters that you’ll likely study in your courses include ethics, law, financial management, public relations, leadership, and organization.

In your course, you may also study some of the medical conditions common to the elderly population. Even though you won’t diagnoses and treat medical conditions like osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, and arthritis, learning about the health problems associated with aging will help you in your career.

Masters/MS in Gerontology Degrees Online

• University of Phoenix — MHA – Gerontology