The interdisciplinary Master of Science degree in gerontology is offered by the Pruett Gerontology Center through the Sociology Department. 

Primary purpose of the gerontology program at ACU are to prepare students (1) to serve the older population meet their physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs, (2) to assume leadership roles in residential care facilities for the aged, (3) to become proficient in the planning, coordination, and administration of private or public programs in aging, and (4) to teach gerontology at the college or university level.

Course work in this interdisciplinary program is carefully integrated in an effort to add richness, depth and balance to a student's background. Required courses come from such diverse fields as sociology, social work, psychology, family and consumer sciences, biology, government, communication, administration and recreation.

Admission Requirements

The primary criterion for admission to this program is the applicant's potential for academic success. To assess each candidate's relative potential, the following items must be completed:

1. A completed Application for Admission to the ACU Graduate School and application fee.
2. A completed Program Application Form to the Pruett Gerontology Center.
3. An officially reported Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) score.
4. An official transcript indicating an earned baccalaureate degree from a four-year accredited institution.
5. Two (2) letters of recommendation.
6. For students whose first language is not English, an official reported Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 550.

Departmental Requirements

Entrance into the program is not limited to any specific undergraduate degree. However, a background in the social or behavioral sciences is desirable. A student's professional experience in the helping professions (particularly with older adults) will be taken into consideration. Students seeking the master's degree in gerontology who have less than 15 semester hours in the social or behavioral sciences may be required to complete leveling hours in these fields.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science degree in gerontology requires 42 hours of approved graduate work. Students must complete 6 hours of scientific research courses, 9 hours of gerontology foundation courses, 6 hours of practicum (300 hours of field experience),and 21 hours of approved electives. A minimum of 21 hours must be in 600-level work.

Research (6 hours)

SOCI 615 Social Research (3)SOCI 516 Social Statistics (3)

Core Foundation courses (9 hours)

GERO 548 Biology of Aging (3), GERO 550 Sociology of Aging (3), GERO 586 Counseling the Older Adult (3) or GERO 631 Human Life Cycle II (3)

Practicum (6 hours)

 GERO 690 Practicum in Gerontology (300 contact hours of supervised work placement)

Electives (21 hours)

With approval of the adviser, courses may be selected from various gerontology course offerings. See Graduate Course Descriptions.

No comprehensive examination is required

Materials for application may be obtained from:

Graduate School:

204 Hardin Administration Building

ACU Box 29140

Abilene, Texas 79699-9140

Phone: 1-800-395-4723 or 325-674-2354

Fax: 325-674-6717

E-mail: gradinfo@nicanor.acu.edu

Adviser for Graduate Gerontology:

Charlie D. Pruett

Abilene Christian University

ACU Box 27793

Abilene, Texas 79699-7793

Phone: 325-674-2350

Fax: 325-674-6804

E-mail: charlie.pruett@gero.acu.edu