Last updated: February 27, 2024 @ 09:21AM

Applied Gerontology

Master of Applied Gerontology

Dean
Peter Tiidus
Faculty of Applied Health Sciences

Associate Dean Research and Graduate Studies
Deborah O'Leary
Faculty of Applied Health Sciences

Graduate Program Director
Colleen Whyte
Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies

Core Faculty

Professors
Allan Adkin (Kinesiology), Kimberley Gammage (Kinesiology), Lynn McCleary (Nursing)

Associate Professors
Val Andrew Fajardo (Kinesiology), Pauli Gardner (Health Sciences), Jenn Salfi (Nursing), Colleen Whyte (Recreation and Leisure Studies)

Assistant Professors
Alisa Grigorovich (Recreation & Leisure Studies), Luke Turcotte (Health Sciences)

Program Coordinator
Tracey Schenck

Program Description

The Master of Applied Gerontology (MAG) program is designed to prepare graduates from a range of undergraduate educational backgrounds to work in a variety of gerontology-related professions, organizations and services in administrative, service delivery, leadership and facilitative roles. The MAG program provides an array of required and elective courses as well as a full-credit field practicum providing hands on and leadership experience to meet the competencies expected of gerontological health professionals. The MAG program provides students with the clinical and professional skills and knowledge to pursue a wide scope of career possibilities in gerontology and health care.


Admission Requirements

Successful completion of a four year Bachelor's degree or equivalent, in Health Sciences, Kinesiology, Psychology, Recreation and Leisure, Nursing, Public Health (or equivalent), with an average of no less than 75% (B). Admission to part-time study is not available.

Degree Requirements

Basic degree requirements include the successful completion of ten (10) half-credits courses, two (2) non-credit seminars and one (1) full-credit practicum. Students are expected to complete their degree requirements within three academic terms (12 months).

Required Courses:
GERO 5P02 Current Issues in Gerontology
GERO 5P13 Advanced Communication and Aging
GERO 5P15 Introduction to Interprofessional Practice
GERO 5P88 The Process of Aging
GERO 5P89 Research Literacy in Applied Gerontological Practice OR GERO 5P11 Theory and Practice of Health Program Planning and Evaluation (see Program Note 6)
GERO 5P92 Mental Health and Aging
GERO 5F99 Gerontological Practicum

Plus four additional elective courses from the courses listed below:

GERO 5P11 Theory and Practice of Health Program Planning and Evaluation
GERO 5P12 Mobility and Physical Activity in Aging
GERO 5P14 Community Services for Older Adults
GERO 5P16 Aging and Technology
GERO 5P87 Death and Dying in Later Life
GERO 5P89 Research Literacy in Applied Gerontological Practice

AHSC 5P39 Strengths-Based Facilitation Techniques
AHSC 5P51 Health Ethics
AHSC 5P81 Research Topics in Cardiovascular Regulation and Adaptation
AHSC 5P93 Neural Control of Posture, Balance, and Gait
AHSC 5P99 Psychological Approaches to Health and Behaviour Change

MBAB 5P04 Organizational Behaviour and Design
MBAB 5P05 Marketing Management
MBAB 5P21 Business Strategy
MBAB 5P23 Entrepreneurship

KINE 5P08 Exercise and Chronic Disease
KINE 5P11 Pharmacology and Human Development
KINE 5P12 Lifestyle Counselling for Kinesiologists

MPHA 5P01 Quality Health Systems through Collaboration and Partnership
MPHA 5P04 Critical Foundations of Public Health
MPHA 5P08 Public Health Emergency Preparedness
MPHA 5P09 Measuring Health Equity
MPHA 5P10 Social Marketing and Health Communication
MPHA 5P14 Leading Change in Public Health
MPHA 5P15 eHealth Innovations and Trends
MPHA 5P16 Colonization, Reconciliation and Indigenous Health

Students must also register and successfully complete GERO 5N97 and GERO 5N98.

Program Notes
  1. Failure to achieve a minimum of 70% in the practicum course will result in dismissal from the program.
  2. Students may require current Standard First Aid and CPR (BCLS or Level C) certification in accordance with and approved by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) when completing their practicum. The certification must be valid for the duration of GERO 5F99.
  3. Proof of immunizations may be required prior to commencement of practicum. Immunization screening required for: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis, Tetanus/Diptheria/Pertussis, COVID 19. Students will also be required to fully adhere to all infection, prevention and control policy, procedures and current practices in place at their practicum setting.
  4. Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) is required by all practicum agencies. It is the student's responsibility to ensure the process is complete. All associated costs and expenses are the responsiblity of students. Students will not be allowed to attend practicum if these requirements are not met.
  5. All program costs associated with required documentation or equipment are the sole responsibility of the student. It is the student's responsibility to ensure the process is complete prior to commencement of the program.
  6. All students will be required to register for either GERO 5P11 or GERO 5P89, however, students are encouraged to register for both courses.
  7. All six (6) required MAG degree course requirements must be successfully completed before students can begin their GERO 5F99 Gerontological Practicum course.
  8. Students who have completed HLSC 4Q90, KINE 4Q90, NURS 4Q90, RECL 4Q90 or SPMA 4Q90 will be unable to use GERO 5P15 toward their degree requirements. Instead, students will be required to register for an alternate approved elective option. Contact program for further information.

Course Descriptions

Students must ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.

Please note that not all courses are offered every session. Refer to the applicable timetable for details.

Refer to Applied Health Sciences (AHSC) and Business Administration (MBAB) Calendar entries for course descriptions of AHSC and MBAB courses.
GERO 5F99
Gerontological Practicum
Practical experience providing students with specialized knowledge, practices, culture and skills, working in the field of gerontology. A minimum of 300 hours must be completed.
Restriction: Open to MAG students only.
Note: This course includes a weekly seminar.

GERO 5N97
Seminar and Professional Development in Gerontology I
Seminars and guest lectures from the faculty, practitioners, community partners and other guest speakers on topics related to Gerontology, linking theory to practice.
Restriction: Open to MAG students only.

GERO 5N98
Seminar and Professional Development in Gerontology II
Seminars related to professional practice in the field of gerontology. Key concepts related to professional development and related core skills.
Restriction: Open to MAG students only.

GERO 5P02
Current Issues in Gerontology
Evidence-based thinking via research conducted with a gerontology focus. Students will be exposed to a of methodological and paradigmatic issues characterizing the multidisciplinary research in gerontology.
Restriction: Open to MAG students or with Instructor approval.

GERO 5P11
Theory and Practice of Health Program Planning and Evaluation
Fundamentals of program planning, implementation, and evaluation in a variety of health settings. Critical examination of models and processes used to plan, implement and evaluate health programs.
Restriction: Open to MAG students or with Instructor approval.

GERO 5P12
Mobility and Physical Activity in Aging
Mobility and physical activity in aging populations. Issues related to assessment, training, fitness adaptations, and program are addressed.
Restriction: Open to MAG students or with Instructor approval.

GERO 5P13
Advanced Communication and Aging
Communication with older adults and professionals in the field of gerontology. Focus on the application of theories and research evidence in practice. Seminar and practice labs.
Restriction: Open to MAG students or with Instructor approval.

GERO 5P14
Community Services for Older Adults
Examination of the role of community services for older adults with an emphasis on leisure opportunities, housing, transportation, retirement and community organizations. Topics include social services for older adults, environmental design, home support services, and policy considerations.
Restriction: Open to MAG students or with Instructor approval.

GERO 5P15
Introduction to Interprofessional Practice
(also offered as HLSC 4Q90, KINE 4Q90, NURS 4Q90, RECL 4Q90 and SPMA 4Q90)
Understanding and applying core competencies for effective collaboration. Topics include collaborative leadership, team functioning, communication, role clarity, conflict management, and client-centred approach as it applies to diversity of interprofessional settings.
Restriction: Open to MAG students or with Instructor approval.
NOTE: Students who have completed HLSC 4Q90, KINE 4Q90, NURS 4Q90, RECL 4Q90 or SPMA 4Q90 will be unable to use this course toward their degree completion requirements.

GERO 5P16
Aging and Technology
Role of technologies in the lives of older adults and their caregivers, with an emphasis on health and wellness. Topics include digital leisure, assistive technology, self-tracking, surveillance technologies, virtual care, and co-design.
Restriction: Open to MAG students or with Instructor approval.

GERO 5P87
Death and Dying in Later Life
Experience and quality of life during the end stages of life for older adults. Examination of issues related to death, dying and bereavement by highlighting cultural, ethical, social and spiritual aspects, as well as end of life care.
Restriction: Open to MAG students or with Instructor approval.

GERO 5P88
The Process of Aging
The physiology of aging and how lifestyle, physical activity and nutrition may be able to influence the physiological processes of aging with the goal of optimizing physical and mental function and independent living into old age.
Restriction: Open to MAG students or with Instructor approval.

GERO 5P89
Research Literacy in Applied Gerontological Practice
Critical appraisal, interpretation and evaluation of research for application into gerontological practice.
Restriction: Open to MAG students or with Instructor approval.

GERO 5P92
Mental Health and Aging
Examination of mental health and mental illness and aging, including evidence about risk factors, health promotion, prevention, and effective interventions. Focus on most common mental disorders, including depression, addiction, dementia, and anxiety disorders.
Restriction: Open to MAG students or with Instructor approval.

GERO 5V20-5V29
Specialized Topics in Applied Gerontology
A topic in applied gerontology that will vary by instructor.
Restriction: Open to MAG students or with Instructor approval.