Master of Science in
Human Environmental Sciences Gerontology Concentration
By 2034, adults 65 and older will outnumber the population under the age of 18 for the first time in American history, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Skilled professionals are needed to create age-friendly services and advocate for active aging in this growing population.
The Gerontology concentration in the M.S. in Human Environmental Sciences offers a holistic perspective on aging. Students explore ageism and the importance of ensuring older adults remain engaged, valued, and connected in their families and communities. Through the IDEA (Innovative Digital Education Alliance) partnership, the University of Arkansas joins four other institutions to deliver comprehensive coursework that bridges theory and research with meaningful policies and practices.
100%
Online
30
Credit Hours
2 YRS
Estimated Time
to Complete
Non-thesis
Program
GRE
Exempt
The degree is offered entirely online in an asynchronous format, allowing students who are working professionals to balance family and work while gaining specialized knowledge and skills and pursuing career goals. Employers include nonprofits, government agencies and the private sector.
Graduates work in many environments:
- Retirement communities
- Senior activity centers
- Long-term care facilities
- Companies that design spaces to help adults age in place and provide consulting services
- Education and research
- Rehabilitation and recreational therapy offices
- Health promotion and nutrition websites and services
- Retirement and financial advising
- Hospitality, marketing and other businesses that serve this population
$610 per credit hour for IDEA Courses
| Fee / credit hour | |
|---|---|
| Library | $4.68 |
| Network & Data Systems | $13.10 |
| Off-campus | $30 |
| Online Facilities | $2 |
Tuition and fees per credit hour reflect fall 2024 rates for students studying completely online. Students in online programs who take an on-campus course will pay on-campus fees, mandatory and college fees, for only the on-campus course.
Consortium
The IDEA partnership providing gerontology courses includes the University of Arkansas, Iowa State University, Texas Tech University, North Dakota State University and Oklahoma State University. The five universities offer students different perspectives to learn from and a broad-based network to draw upon as a working professional. Faculty are nationally and internationally recognized experts in areas such as human longevity, aging in place, marital and family relations, long-term care, and cognitive and nutritional health.
This program operates under a different tuition and fee structure than other U of A graduate programs because of its affiliation with IDEA. Your home university (the U of A) is where you pay tuition, manage your program, receive academic advising, and meet graduation requirements. While you will take courses online from each of the participating universities, your home university will award the diploma at the completion of the program.
