Older Adults and Aging Societies Specialization

This specialization provides students with expertise in working with older adults, their families and the service delivery system for aging societies. It also prepares students to develop policy and program strategies to address the challenges and opportunities of population aging.

Students in the Older Adults and Aging Societies (OAAS) specialization are guided by a multi-level perspective on aging. At the micro-level, they learn foundational skills in interpersonal and psychotherapeutic interventions with older adults and their families. At the mezzo and macro levels, they learn about contemporary perspectives and theories in gerontology and are exposed to work in advocacy, service provision, program development and evaluation. The specialization emphasizes diverse perspectives on aging and social justice throughout its courses and through mentorship with faculty.

Graduating students are employed in both the public and private sectors, nationally and internationally. Some directly serve older adults and their families in traditional settings such as care management programs, assisted living facilities, hospitals and home health agencies. Others work in public agencies at the local, state and federal levels, overseeing home- and community-based service programs and engaging in policy advocacy for older adults. Several graduates have taken positions in national nonprofit organizations, and many have gone on to doctoral work.