The MAG program is delivered to full-time students over 12 months, including a 300 hour practicum course.

This interdisciplinary graduate program is grounded in a holistic approach to aging, health and well-being and has been designed for flexibility to personalize a curriculum of theory and application best suited to each student’s unique needs related to their profession.

The program is organized around key pillars of gerontological best practice knowledge and skills related to psychological, cultural, biological and cognitive aspects of aging, with a focus on both physical and mental health.

Learning experiences include:

• lectures
• laboratory
• seminar-based coursework, and
• a practicum experience with older people and organizations within the gerontological field. 

In the practicum course, students will gain practical experience with a mentor, applying theoretical learning in a gerontological health setting.

Transferrable Skills

• Advocacy for older persons and communities
• Working in interprofessional and interdisciplinary teams
• Translating current research into practice and policy
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Written and oral communication skills
• Time management and organization
• Evidence-based leadership

The MAG degree includes:

• 10 half-credit courses
• One credit practicum course of 300 hours with a gerontological health program
• Core courses in gerontology, communication, physical and physiological aspects of aging, mental health, interprofessional practice, program planning and evaluation
• A variety of elective courses including mobility, community services, death and dying, health behaviour change, psychology, and specialized physiology topics related to aging

• Direct care for older persons and their families
• Program planning and evaluation
• Program management
• Municipal and regional government programs
• Provincial and federal government departments
• Social service agencies
• Community health centres
• Hospital-based programs
• Gerontological health research
• Providing gerontological expertise for private sector business and industry
• Health professional educator

• Four-year Bachelor’s degree in a health related field
• Minimum 75% (B) GPA
• Two letters of recommendation (at least one must be an academic referee)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 15th.

ENTRY: September entry only

FUNDING: This is not a funded program. Students are eligible to apply for scholarships.

NOTE:

• Applications will be accepted until the program is full.
• Applicants should apply as early as possible.
• Please note, that applications will be considered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Professors

• Allan Adkin, Kinesiology
• Deborah O’Leary, Health Sciences
• Diane Mack, Kinesiology
• Philip Sullivan, Kinesiology

Associate Professors

• Jarold Cosby, Kinesiology (On Leave)
• Kimberley Gammage, Kinesiology
• Pauli Gardner, Health Sciences
• Lynn McCleary, Nursing (On Leave)
• Miya Narushima, Health Sciences
• Lynn Rempel, Nursing
• Colleen Whyte, Recreation and Leisure

Assistant Professors

• Jenn Salfi, Nursing
• Arne Stinchcombe, Recreation and Leisure

Take part in the one credit, 300 hours practicum course with a gerontological health program.

“Providing a placement for a Brock MAG student has been an outstanding and rewarding experience for our organization.  The student provided the much- needed hands on assistance to our programs!”

Sherry Cain Executive Director West Niagara Palliative Care Services, Rose Cottage Visiting Volunteers, Community Hospice http://www.rosecottagevolunteers.com/ 

“We had such a rich and fulfilling experience. The knowledge transfer worked both ways in that she was able to learn from our patient population and we were blessed with a fresh set of eye. Our facility benefited from this shared experience and would recommend students from this program in the future. We hope that Brock will look to us again in the future.”

Jennifer Hansen RN, BScN, MH, Chief Nursing Officer/Director of Nursing , Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre www.hoteldieushaver.org  

“It has been an absolutely pleasure having a MAG student as a part of our Home Support Exercise Program team for the last few months. It was evident quickly that she is passionate about working with the Older Adult population, and that she genuinely wants to be a part of promoting their independence and safety in the community as they age in place. Our clients that have worked with her have had a wonderful experience that they deeply valued! She applied her knowledge daily in the field, while working within her scope and adhering to our Organizations policies and practices. Her findings were very well put together and will be helpful for us in continuing to improve our Exercise Program and offerings for consumers. We’ve had a truly great experience with her, so much so that we’ve offered her employment with us.” 

Emily Liefl  Community Support Supervisor , Niagara Assisted Living Outreach (NALO) North & HNHB Home Support Exercise Program https://www.hnhbhealthline.ca/displayService.aspx?id=183788 

The MAG is a course based graduate program. Students are not required to find a supervisor, as there is no research component to the program. 

The MAG program is not funded. Students are eligible to apply for scholarships. 

The MAG program is only offered full-time. 

The entrance averages each year are solely dependent on the current applicant pool. You can still apply with an average less than 75%, but no less than 72%.  

Successful completion of four-year bachelor’s degree in a health–related field such as kinesiology, nursing, recreation and leisure, health science, medical science, public health, physical education, psychology or equivalent.  

For current tuition information please visit Student Accounts and Financial Aid – Graduate Tuition. 

The application process is entirely online through Brock University Next Step. 

For program specific application information, visit the https://brocku.ca/programs/graduate/applied-gerontology-mag/ 

Application materials must all be submitted online. Mailed and/or faxed documents will not be accepted. 

February 15th however applications will be accepted and processed until the program is full. 

There is one (1) practicum course that is 300hrs hours in length and occurs in the Spring/Summer term of each academic year.  

Current practicum sites include organizations where health care and/or community support services are provided (public or private) to older adults. Settings may include long term care homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, retirement homes, assisted living and/or supportive housing settings, public health programs, home care agencies as well as a variety of community support service agencies.  

Practicum positions are posted on an internal site for MAG students. Students are required to apply to the specific practicum site/community partner and will participate in an interview. Successful applicants are chosen by the community partner. Practicums are coordinated and approved by the MAG program in a variety of different heath care and community–based organizations whose target population includes older adults. 

Yes, absolutely. We welcome applications from anyone with a health or health related undergraduate degree in addition to professional and/or life experience working with older adults. In this type of situation, we recommend submitting two professional references as part of your application. In addition, please address this unique situation in your letter of intent.