Earning an accelerated online masters in Gerontology can help working adults develop their human services skills to pursue careers devoted to protecting the well-being of older generations.
Those who pursue online gerontology degrees follow the same rigorous curriculum as their traditional on-campus counterparts, resulting in the same number of job opportunities for graduates. Furthermore, the study-from-home format and self-paced schedule are ideal for students with childcare duties, part-time jobs, and other obligations that may conflict with on-campus learning. Additionally, many affordable accelerated online Gerontology programs can be completed in one to two years.
Methodology for Ranking Online Low-Cost Accelerated Master’s in Gerontology
To develop this ranking, our analytics team created a list of schools with online Master’s in Gerontology degree programs. Data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS, College Navigator, and each school’s website. Then, they gathered information regarding tuition, accreditation, support services, and degree completion times.
Finally, our analytics team applied a ranking methodology and scored the schools based on specific criteria. We used the school’s in-state graduate tuition, the duration of the program, school accreditation, and the presence of an online student support network or services. If any information didn’t fit the scoring parameters, zero points were awarded for that category. In the case of a tie, the school with the lower tuition pulled the higher rank.
Time to Completion
- 25-36 Months: 1 point
- 19-24 Months: 2 points
- 13-18 Months: 3 points
- =/<12 Months: 4 points
Graduate Tuition
- =/< $25,000: 1 point
- =/< $20,000: 2 points
- =/< $15,000: 3 points
- =/< $10,000: 4 points
Accreditation
- Institutional: 1 point
- Program: 1 points
- Online Support: 1 point
For this ranking, Fast Online Masters spent 70 hours of research and looked a 42 colleges and universities to compile the ranking. More information on the accuracy of data and how we come up with our rankings is on the Fast Online Masters Methodology page.
Our editors first reviewed the online Gerontology master’s programs in June 2019. This ranking was last updated in November 2023.
20. Webster University
- Location: St. Louis, MO
- Degree: online MA in Gerontology
- Minimum Time to Completion: 24 months
- Credits: 36
- Graduate Tuition: $700 per credit, $28,080 total
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- More Information: Website
The 36-credit-hour master’s degree in gerontology from Webster University provides graduate students with the knowledge and skills necessary for careers related to this particular field. The courses draw upon a variety of disciplines such as the natural sciences, political science, economics, the behavioral and social sciences, and management. Within this framework, students develop a broad educational base that covers the impact of aging on cultures and also individuals. Both the program electives and the core courses maximize the application of gerontological knowledge, particularly in the areas of administration, management, program development, consulting, and direct service.
19. University of Missouri
- Location: Columbia, Missouri
- Degree: online Master’s in Gerontology
- Minimum Time to Completion: 24 months
- Credits: 36
- Graduate Tuition: $580 per credit, $20,880 total
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- More Information: Website
The University of Missouri, or Mizzou, offers a 36-credit-hour online master’s degree in gerontology. This program is for students seeking careers in service organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, and also businesses. No campus visits are required as the degree is delivered entirely online, and students who take one or two classes per semester may earn their degree within two years. The curriculum consists of eight core courses and four elective courses. Core requirements studies include research methods, aging policy, adult development, physical health, health services managers, and also perspectives in gerontology. Elective offerings include courses in human development and family science, long-term care administration, mental health and aging, and also biological principles of aging.
18. Brenau University
- Location: Gainesville, GA
- Degree: online MS in Applied Gerontology
- Minimum Time to Completion: 12 months
- Credits: 30
- Graduate Tuition: $824 per credit, $24,720 total
- School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- More Information: Website
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Gerontology program at Brenau University allows students to earn their degree in 12 months. The 30-credit-hour program includes 9 credit hours of electives and 21 credit hours of core courses, and students can expect to study the psychology of aging, physical aspects of aging, cultural and social issues, effective communication with the elderly, and death, dying, and loss. Students round out their degree with fieldwork or a major project. Graduates are prepared for careers in various areas of healthcare, including geriatric care management, institutional care, management and administration, marketing, social work, legal services, psychology, and more.
17. Kansas State University
- Location: Manhattan, KS
- Degree: online Master of Science in Gerontology
- Minimum Time to Completion: 18 months
- Credits: 36
- Graduate Tuition: $611 per credit, $22,000 total
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- More Information: Website
Kansas State University online master’s degree in gerontology is designed to prepare students who will be involved in research or education related to aging issues or those who plan to work directly with older people. The program draws on the expertise of graduate courses from several universities and graduate faculty and provides students with the core competencies identified by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. After graduating, students will have earned a master’s degree in human development and family science with a specialization in gerontology.
16. University of Florida
- Location: Gainesville, Florida
- Degree: online MS in Gerontology
- Minimum Time to Completion: 12 months
- Credits: 30
- Graduate Tuition: $585.75 per credit, $17,573 total
- School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- More Information: Website
The Department of Aging and Geriatric Research at the University of Florida offers an online graduate program to help students pursue careers in geriatric care and gerontology. Students learn how to care for the rapidly aging population, increase the public’s understanding of the issues seniors face, and develop the skills necessary to conduct age-related research. The 30 credit curriculum looks at aging from psychological, sociological, epidemiological, physiological, and also clinical perspectives. Students are accepted year-round, and they may earn their accelerated graduate degree in as few as two years.
15. North Dakota State University
- Location: Fargo, North Dakota
- Degree: online MS in Human Development and Family Science in Gerontology
- Minimum Time to Completion: 24 months
- Credits: 30
- Graduate Tuition: $600 per credit, $18,000 total (IDEA)
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- More Information: Website
The 30-credit online master’s degree in gerontology at North Dakota State University takes students through all phases of the aging process, and students may earn their degree within two years. The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA) curriculum of the master’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration of Gerontology was built by seven universities around eight core courses. Participants will complete a three to six-credit independent project and then round out their degree with electives. Additionally, students may choose a research project or internship for their final project, and everyone must pass a comprehensive exam.
14. Iowa State University
- Location: Ames, Iowa
- Degree: online Master’s of Family and Consumer Sciences
- Minimum Time to Completion: 18 months
- Credits: 30
- Graduate Tuition: $600 per credit, $18,000 total (IDEA)
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- More Information: Website
A master’s degree in gerontology is available at Iowa State University via a partnership with the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA). Students must take 24 credits in core courses that cover topics such as nutrition and physical activity, aging in the family, environments, economics, and research methods. Students must also take 12 credits in elective or thesis work. The program explores not only the physiological changes that stem from aging but also how senior citizens relate to society, critical thinking, health services managers, their communities, and also their families. Courses are available entirely online, so students typically earn their degree within two years.
12. University of Louisiana Monroe
- Location: Monroe, Louisiana
- Degree: online MA in Gerontology
- Minimum Time to Completion: 24 months
- Credits: 36
- Graduate Tuition: $500 per credit, $18,000 total
- School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- More Information: Website
The Master of Arts in Gerontology at the University of Louisiana Monroe is a 36-credit-hour program. Students must complete a core curriculum before choosing a specialization in either grief care management, mental health, labor statistics, small business management, long-term care administration, aging studies, or program administration. Assistantships are available to qualified students, and those enrolled in the online program may also earn their full degree within two years.
12. Concordia University Nebraska
- Location: Seward, Nebraska
- Degree: MHA in Gerontology
- Minimum Time to Completion: 18 months
- Credits: 36
- Graduate Tuition: $500 per credit, $18,000 total
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- More Information: Website
Professionals who aspire to careers in long-term care may choose to pursue an online Master of Healthcare Administration with a concentration in Gerontology from Concordia University Nebraska. The program’s 36-credit curriculum emphasizes the business skills that are essential to healthcare administration as well as their applications in the senior long-term care industry. All online courses are taught asynchronously, so students can complete this accelerated program within two years. Online students are not required to commute to campus. They may instead arrange to complete practicum experiences at a local facility.
11. Southeastern University
- Location: Lakeland, Florida
- Degree: online MA in Human Services
- Minimum Time to Completion: 12 months
- Credits: 36
- Graduate Tuition: $495 per credit, $17,820 total
- School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- More Information: website
Students seeking a career in gerontology may consider pursuing a Master of Arts in Human Services at Southeastern University. Students receive an experience-based, theoretical understanding of the human services profession and have the opportunity to choose a specialization based on the type of people they would like to help. The curriculum consists of 24 hours of core courses in areas such as program planning and evaluation, legal and ethical issues, and also contemporary and historical issues. The gerontology specialization requires four additional courses in aging and disability, the sociology of aging, social issues on caring for the aging, and also aging as it relates to the family. Classes are offered in eight-week sessions, so students can graduate in as few as 12 months.
10. University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Location: Greensboro, North Carolina
- Degree: online MS in Gerontology
- Minimum Time to Completion: 12 months
- Credits: 30
- Graduate Tuition: $337 per credit, $16,666 total
- School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- More Information: Website
The University of North Carolina Greensboro offers an online Master of Science in Gerontology. UNCG’s 30 credit program is entirely online and courses are in seven-week terms. This masters in gerontology curriculum incorporates many fields of study with an emphasis on applied learning. Additionally, the program strives to teach students to apply their knowledge and research through collaborative relationships with businesses, community organizations, and also academic departments.
9. Texas Tech University
- Location: Lubbock, Texas
- Degree: online Master’s in Human Development and Family Studies
- Minimum Time to Completion: 24 months
- Credits: 36
- Graduate Tuition: $600 per credit, $18,000 total (IDEA)
- School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- More Information: Website
Texas Tech University offers a master’s degree in Gerontology online through its family and human development major. This degree is for working adults who are already employed as professionals in family, elderly, and also child services. The curriculum is designed via the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA) consortium of colleges. To earn this degree, students must complete four electives and eight core classes that total 36 credit hours. Electives in subjects like spirituality, physical activity, and also mental health enable students to tailor their degree to their career goals.
8. Concordia University Chicago
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Degree: online MA in Gerontology
- Minimum Time to Completion: 24 months
- Credits: 33
- Graduate Tuition: $469 per credit, $15,477 total
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- More Information: Website
The two-year Master of Arts in Gerontology program at Concordia University Chicago introduces students to the best practices of gerontological research and education. While students complete all coursework online, they are required to participate in a 16-week practicum in a community agency serving older adults. Students may expect coursework in death and dying, public policy, sociology, ethics, diversity, and also adult development. The program concludes with a capstone seminar in which students complete an applied project or thesis and present it for peer review.
7. University of North Texas
- Location: Denton, Texas
- Degree: online MS in Health Services Administration
- Minimum Time to Completion: months
- Credits: 39
- Graduate Tuition: $462 per credit, $18,000 total
- School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- More Information: Website
UNT is the flagship institution of the University of North Texas System, which includes additional universities in Fort Worth and Dallas. UNT offers an online master’s in gerontology as part of its Master of Science in Health Services Administration program. Students take the 36-credit curriculum entirely online, including 24 credits of core coursework and 12 credits of the applied gerontology specialization. Courses cover healthcare and management topics like healthcare laws and ethics, financial issues in healthcare, and health information systems as well as gerontological-specific courses in program planning, programs in aging, processes of aging, and housing. Additionally, students must complete a research project as part of the capstone and present it for review.
6. McDaniel College
- Location: Westminster, Maryland
- Degree: online MS in Gerontology
- Minimum Time to Completion: 24 months
- Credits: 30
- Graduate Tuition: $548 per credit, $16,440 total
- School Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- More Information: Website
McDaniel College offers a Master of Science in Gerontology program. It prepares graduates for leadership roles in industries that support the elderly population. The 30- to 36-credit curriculum explores the psychological and biological aspects of aging, supported by the study of research methodology as well as its applications.
5. Oklahoma State University
- Location: Stillwater, OK
- Degree: online MS in Human Development and Family Science
- Minimum Time to Completion: 24 months
- Credits: 36
- Graduate Tuition: $600 per credit, $18,000 total (IDEA)
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- More Information: Website
Oklahoma State University was founded in 1890 and originally known as Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College. It is the flagship institution of the Oklahoma State University System and enrolls more than 4,000 students each year. It is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as being one of the best public universities in the country. The 36-credit online Master of Science in Human Development and Family Science degree with a concentration in gerontology gives students an understanding of the mental, social, and physiological stages people go through as they age. Subjects covered include statistics, health science, labor statistics, economics, public policy, and health and nutrition. The program opens with a professional seminar and finishes with a capstone project.
4. University of Nebraska Omaha
- Location: Omaha, Nebraska
- Degree: online Master of Arts in Gerontology
- Minimum Time to Completion: 12 months
- Credits: 30
- Graduate Tuition: $388 per credit, $11,640 total
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- More Information: Website
The University of Nebraska Omaha offers a Master of Arts in Social Gerontology with either a 36 credit thesis option or a 30 credit non-thesis option. Both tracks require core courses in research methods, programs and services for the elderly, a seminar in aging and human behavior, labor statistics, and applied social gerontology. However, the non-thesis option includes a graduate practicum and 21 credit hours of electives as well as a comprehensive examination, while the thesis option includes a six-credit thesis and 18 credit hours of electives.
3. Texas State University
- Location: Round Rock, Texas
- Degree: online MS in Dementia and Aging Studies
- Minimum Time to Completion: months
- Credits: 33
- Graduate Tuition: $375 per credit, $12,375 total
- School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Collees
- More Information: Website
Texas State University is the largest institution in the Texas State University System and the fifth-largest university in the state. Its 33-credit online Master of Science in Dementia and Aging Studies prepares students to manage various organizations, agencies, programs, and communities. Students may choose from three tracks: Practitioner, Dementia and Long-Term Care, and Research.
2. Wichita State University
- Location: Wichita, Kansas
- Degree: online MA in Aging Studies
- Minimum Time to Completion: 18 months
- Credits: 36
- Graduate Tuition: $241.55 credit, $8,695 total
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- More Information: Website
Students pursuing the Master of Arts in Aging Studies at Wichita State University can choose a specialization such as administration, labor statistics, public health, or social science. Students may earn their degree within three semesters, and graduates are qualified to work with the aging population in a number of professions such as education, wellness, senior services, senior living, social work, and business. WSU also hosts classes at four satellite locations and offers fully online degrees to distance learners across the country. Wichita State students enrolled in a fully online degree program pay in-state tuition regardless of residency.
1. Eastern Illinois University
- Location: Charleston, IL
- Degree: online MA in Aging Studies
- Minimum Time to Completion: 18 months
- Credits: 36
- Graduate Tuition: $335.85 per credit, $12,090 total
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- More Information: Website
The Master of Arts in Aging Studies at Eastern Illinois University can be completed with five semesters or 18 months, and classes are available entirely online. It is one of four graduate programs in gerontology and aging studies to hold the National Program of Merit designation from the Association of Gerontology in Higher Education. In addition to completing core requirements and electives, students have the opportunity to choose a thesis option as part of their degree as well as conduct research projects as part of their independent study courses.
What is a Master’s Degree in Gerontology?
Gerontology is a multidisciplinary field focusing on the cultural, social, psychological, and physiological factors that impact human aging. Whereas geriatrics is a medical field where healthcare professionals deal with treatment methods for elderly patients, gerontology is not limited to healthcare. Other areas of interest for aspiring gerontologists include health sciences, public policy, law, politics, geography, social services, economics, and finance.
A master’s degree in Gerontology is a graduate degree that takes approximately two years to complete and is typically 30 to 36 credits. In addition to standard coursework, many accelerated master’s online gerontology programs require students to participate in supervised on-site training from experienced professionals as part of a practicum course. The program may also include a master’s thesis or capstone project.
Many professionals in the field of gerontology start their careers by earning an accelerated online master’s in gerontology. However, while some programs are devoted solely to this field, other pathways allow graduate students to pursue a gerontology specialization. Academic disciplines with master’s concentrations often include social work, social services, nursing, or public health. In addition to career preparation, a master’s in Gerontology prepares graduates to pursue further studies in a doctoral or Ph.D. gerontology program.
What are the Career Options for an Online Master’s in Gerontology Degree?
Students who graduate with a gerontology master’s degree qualify for a number of gerontology careers and occupational roles. Gerontology graduate schools train students for diverse settings, from hospices and assisted living centers to mental health facilities. Knowledge of seniors’ unique problems can help in a variety of disciplines, including audiology, public health, dietetics, public policy, nursing, and even financial advising. There are multiple career paths. Some of the most common job titles for gerontology degree-holders include:
- Adult Care Specialists
- Recreational and Occupational Therapists
- Medical Health and Services Managers
- Research and Medical Scientists
What Can You Do With an Online Master’s in Gerontology Degree?
Let’s take a closer look at five of the most popular careers for graduates who have earned a graduate degree in gerontology via accelerated learning to learn more about the multiple career paths available.
1. Elder Care Advocate
Older Americans often fall victim to financial abuses and scams that cost $36.5 billion per year, according to CNBC. As a result, elder care advocates are needed to promote senior citizens’ best interests when cognition declines. Earning an online master’s gerontology degree could help in terms of checking their welfare, supervising in-home aides, securing proper services, reviewing health bills, finding suitable housing, assisting with medical decisions, and navigating Social Security laws.
Median Annual Salary: $85,330
2. Rehabilitation Counselor
According to U.S. News & World Report, online master’s studies in gerontology could result in the 26th best job in the field of healthcare. Rehabilitation counselors help those who are injured or impaired on their way to recovery. These professionals advocate for accommodations, record progress, teach caregiving skills, introduce assistive technology, propose life changes, arrange therapeutic care, consult clinicians for treatment plans, and evaluate disabilities.
Median Annual Salary: $93,180
3. Geriatric Social Worker
The seventh most meaningful job according to Forbes, a Geriatric Social Worker helps clients cope with aging processes, non-clinical and clinical, for long life expectancies. Pursuing a master’s degree in gerontology online after earning a bachelor’s degree in social work would prepare students for many roles. Geriatric Social Workers may offer grief counseling, nurturing good mental health, signing clients to Medicare, referring social services like Meals on Wheels, customizing interventions, and assessing senior needs.
Median Annual Salary: $55,350
4. Nursing Home Administrator
Graduates who pursue an accelerated online graduate degree in gerontology and who pass the Long Term Care Administrator exam provided by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) would certify their ability to coordinate residential elderly care for more than 1.4 million patients across the country. Nursing home administrators are responsible for marketing services, investigating grievances, monitoring account expenditures, adhering to regulations, procuring supplies, handling insurance claims, supervising nurses, planning senior activities, and setting operational policies.
Median Annual Salary: $104,830
5. Research Gerontologist
Earning a graduate gerontology degree may be beneficial for those who wish to pursue a career in the biomedical aspect of the field. These professionals focus on conducting and analyzing empirical-based studies on the emotional, psychological, social, and biological aspects of aging. Gerontologists develop investigative hypotheses, form research proposals, pursue appropriate approvals, collect and analyze data, draw conclusions, present their findings at conventions and conferences, and inform clinical staff members of their conclusions.
Median Annual Salary: $99,930
Job Outlook and Salary with a Masters in Gerontology
The career outlook in gerontology is very favorable. Gerontology jobs pay well and will be in demand for decades to come.
What Can You Expect From an Online Master’s in Gerontology Program?
An accelerated graduate gerontology degree prepares healthcare professionals for a variety of professional settings. Those pursuing a career in medical or academic research will learn how to evaluate, analyze, and collect data related to different aspects of human agency. Those who plan to work in fields such as counseling and health management or social- and community-based services may also consider a master’s track in gerontology, keeping in mind that the best programs will cover licensure and certification requirements such as residency hours and/or exams as they relate to these career paths.
How Do You Choose an Online Master’s in Gerontology Program?
Choosing the right program is a personal decision, and only the student can properly evaluate whether a potential school’s strengths and offerings match their educational goals and needs. If one is considering this educational path, it is important to contact admissions specialists at different universities and colleges to learn more about their specific programs and requirements. The ranked list of schools above should serve as a helpful starting point in the search for the best affordable accelerated online Master’s in Gerontology.
Gerontology Organizations
Gerontology organizations offer professionals and students many professional resources.
- Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education
- Accreditation for Gerontology Education Council (AGEC)
- Gerontological Society of America
- National Council on Aging
- Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
- Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association
- Alzheimer’s Association (Alz)
References and Sources
- NCES College Navigator (https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/)
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/)
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