At the University of Utah, our courses combine the flexibility of online teaching with the advantages and direct engagement of traditional teaching. Enjoy the benefit of studying online at your own pace while still engaging with classmates and instructors. This flexible way of teaching improves your overall experience and your ability to retain what you learn.

Interactive learning comes in a variety of ways:

• Group assignments, where you collaborate via email or a discussion forum to answer a problem set.
• Contributions to a discussion forum, where you directly respond to previous posts.
• Peer reviews, where you review and comment on assignments from other students.

Our classes also offer multiple routes to stay connected and get help:

• Communicate directly with the instructor via email.
• Participate in and guide online discussions.
• Attend online office hours in discussion threads or on the phone.
• Instructors are available in “real” office hours for students on or near campus; for some courses we offer Q&A sessions in a classroom.

The Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program administers educational offerings at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

All of the courses at the University, whether online or on campus, are taught by the same high-quality faculty members. There’s no distinction on your diploma that you completed courses online.

Certificate Programs:

Admission to the University of Utah Gerontology Interdisciplinary Certificate program is limited and selective. Admission cannot be guaranteed to all individuals who meet the minimum admission criteria. Applicants who are recommended for admission to the certificate program, but who are not currently matriculated University of Utah students, will also need to apply to the University of Utah Admissions Office as a non-matriculated or second bachelor’s degree applicant and pay the application fee. Applicants who are applying to the graduate certificate program, and who are not current University of Utah students, must provide official copies of transcripts showing completion of a bachelor’s degree.

Core and required course lists:

Undergraduate Certificate program information.

Graduate Certificate program information

Degree Programs:

Undergraduate Minor:  To declare a minor in Gerontology, please contact our Student Services Program representative: Kristen Mahoney at  kristen.mahoney@nurs.utah.edu or by phone at 801-587-3194. For more information on the undergraduate minor and required coursework visit this page.

Master of Science: Successful applicants must meet the minimum admission requirements for, and be accepted by, both the graduate school and the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program. Admission to the University of Utah Gerontology Interdisciplinary Master’s degree is limited and selective. The Gerontology MS graduate program admits students once a year each fall semester. A cohort of approximately 12-15 students is accepted into the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Master’s program each fall semester. Admission is not guaranteed to all individuals who meet the minimum admission criteria. The Gerontology program requires completion of a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Click here for more information on the required coursework, including core and elective courses, for the Master of Science. Note that in addition to the completion of the core curriculum requirements, there are also elective courses, a 150-hour practicum and a Master’s Project or Thesis.

Gerontology students typically pay tuition rates as defined by the University of Utah College of Nursing. Estimate tuition using the College of Nursing’s Tuition Estimator.  Information about scholarships and other funding opportunities for students can be found here.

Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)/Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP)

The University of Utah is a participating partner in the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) and the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP). Graduate applicants interested in the Master of Science program may be eligible for reduced costs.  In most cases WRGP students pay tuition at resident rates. Please contact WICHE for more information.

Nursing Education Xchange (NEXus)

Opportunities are also offered for doctoral/graduate students, through the Nursing Education Xchange (NEXus), enrolled at member colleges and universities to take courses that may not be offered at his/her home institution for a common price.

Gerontologists work in hospitals, independent living and long-term care facilities, clinical practices, counseling centers, hospice services, home health services, research universities, and community and government agencies. Some also manage or serve as consultants to healthcare facilities or private companies geared to the needs of older people. They often travel to treat patients at home, assess living conditions and meet with caregivers and family members.

Examples of job opportunities available for graduates of the Gerontology Master of Science include:

• Aging-related non-profit organization manager
• Adult Day Program Coordinator
• Aging & Adult Services Manager
• Continuing Care Retirement Community Manager
• Director of Area Agencies on Aging
• Educational Gerontologist
• Lifelong Learning Specialist
• Geriatric Care Manager
• Grant Writer
• Home Care Agency Administrator
• Interior Designer – Gerontology Specialization
• Ombudsperson
• Recreational Therapist
• Research Associate
• In-Home Services Program Director, County Commission on Aging
• Strategic Policy Analyst/Advisor
• Volunteer Program Coordinator
• Director of Senior Center
• Assisted Living Manager
• Nursing-home Administrator

Examples of job opportunities available for Gerontology Certificate students:

• Geriatric Audiologist
• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Art Therapy
• Music Therapy
• Geriatric Social Worker
• Elder Law Attorney
• Geriatric Nurse
• Marriage and Family Therapist
• Registered Dietician
• Speech-language Pathologist
• Clinical Psychology
• Geriatric Pharmacist

Certificate Programs:

Applicants must fill out the online Gerontology Interdisciplinary Certificate application form. They must also be prepared to respond to the following statements. Written responses are heavily weighted for application and should be 1–2 pages in length each, totaling 3–6 pages in full:

• Discuss your educational and vocational plans and include reasons for your interest in Gerontology.
• Discuss briefly any current or past experiences, activities, academic programs or organizations with which you have been or are presently working with older adults.
• Discuss briefly any current or past experiences working in rural settings and/or working with ethnic minorities.

Degree Programs:

Undergraduate Minor:  To declare a minor in Gerontology, please contact our Student Services Program representative: Kristen Mahoney at  kristen.mahoney@nurs.utah.edu or by phone at 801-587-3194. 

Master of Science:  Application deadline: January 15. Successful applicants must meet the minimum admission requirements for, and be accepted by, both the graduate school and the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program. Admission to the University of Utah Gerontology Interdisciplinary Master’s degree is limited and selective. The Gerontology MS graduate program admits students once a year each fall semester. A cohort of approximately 12-15 students is accepted into the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Master’s program each fall semester. Admission is not guaranteed to all individuals who meet the minimum admission criteria.  Graduate program application information can be found here.

The following are the minimum requirements needed to apply for the Master’s degree:

• Completion of a graduate admissions application
• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• A personal interview (may be required)

Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), if applicable:

• NOT required for applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher
• REQUIRED for applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.19 or lower; score cannot be in excess of five (5) years old

English Proficiency Exams (TOEFL or IELTS only), if applicable: 

Evidence of English-language proficiency is required for applicants whose first language is not English. Applicants are required to submit results of either the Test of English Foreign Language or IELTS. Minimum score requirements for admission can be found at the University of Utah Admissions Office.

International Applicants

International students without permanent residence status cannot participate in our program since it is fully online.