Master of Arts in Clinical Gerontology

Program requirements | Gerontology courses | Admission

The Department of Clinical Psychology and Gerontology offers a program leading to the Master of Arts in Clinical Gerontology.   The Gerontology program is based on the scholar-practitioner model and provides graduate level education, clinical training, research, and personal growth in the field of gerontology.  The program emphasizes both theoretical and experiential learning, acquaints students with the research on aging, and prepares them to meet the challenges created by a rapidly changing demographic society.  The four or five undergraduate prerequisite courses may be obtained at Notre Dame de Namur University or transferred from other accredited institutions.

The Master of Arts in Clinical Gerontology consists of 38 units of graduate coursework and requires a master's thesis. Gerontology courses provide state-of-the-art knowledge in the aging process, health and mental health issues, the aging network, and social policies. Clinical internships provide students with individualized, in-depth, and specialized training in the field. Examples of internship opportunities may include: area agencies on aging, healthcare and residential facilities, community senior centers, research affiliations at Stanford, and centers on aging.

Graduates will be qualified to assume professional clinical and leadership positions in the delivery of services to older adults and their families.

An Evaluation Committee associated with the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and the Master of Arts in Gerontology/Administration programs provides ongoing professional and academic evaluation of students in order to assure clinical competency and appropriateness for the field. Personal psychotherapy is strongly encouraged during the program.

Program Requirements

Master of Arts in Clinical Gerontology
Prerequisites A grade of B- or better is required in the following (undergraduate) courses:
	General Psychology
	Personality Theory
	Developmental Psychology
	Abnormal Psychology
	Statistics
Upon recommendation of the faculty based on evaluation of writing samples, students may be required by the Program Director or Chair to take additional coursework in writing, inclusive of APA style writing.
Effective Fall Semester 2007 two units each of GR210A/B will be required making a total of 38 required units.
Core Courses		Units
GR210A/B	Psychopathology	4
GR252	Assessment in Clinical Gerontology	2
GR253	Biosocialspiritual Aspects Aspects of Aging	2
GR254	Psychotherapeutic Techniques in Aging	2
GR257	Program Development and Administration	3
GR258	Professional Ethics and Law in Gerontology	2
CP259	Lifespan Development	3
GR264	Ethnicity and Aging	1
GR266	Pre-retirement Planning	1
GR271	Dying, Death, and Bereavement	1
GR359A	Research: Methodology	3
GR359P	Research: Proposal	3
GR359T	Research: Completion	3
GR376	Gerontology Internship	3
GR377	Gerontology Internship Seminar	3
	Two elective units (advisor approved)	2
Total		38

Research Guidelines

GR359A Research: Methodology, GR359P Research: Proposal, and GR359T Research: Completion must be completed during the semester that the course is taken. Students must attend all three courses at Notre Dame de Namur University while completing the Research track. No Incompletes or arrangements for an Independent Study are accepted. Failure to complete the Research within the semester the course is taken will result in a NP (No Pass) grade and the student will be required to repeat the course. Students must have completed all Research courses prior to graduation displaying academic competence and meeting all of the requirements.

Gerontology Courses

CP256 Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (3)
Prerequisite: PY101.
See Clinical Psychology listings for course description. BBS 4980.37 (a-5)

CP259 Lifespan Development (3)
Prerequisite: PY161.
See Clinical Psychology listings for course description. BBS4980.40 (3)

CP400 Supervised Field Experience (3)
See Clinical Psychology listings for course description. BBS 4980.40 (b-g), 4980.42, 4980.43

GR210A Psychopathology (3)
Focuses upon the diagnostic system of psychological disorders outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV-TR. The major paradigms of mental distress are thoroughly reviewed and students are trained in the use of Mental Status Exams, five axis diagnostic criteria, and differential diagnoses. BBS 4980.37 (a-1)  Effective Fall 2007 this will be a two semester two unit course GR210A/B (2/2).

GR252/452 Assessment in Clinical Gerontology (2/2)
Presents research relating behavior to the neurobiological bases of aging. Data on neural and hormonal systems is used in examining such complex behaviors as memory, learning, perception, and motivation along with the impact of aging on the brain processes. Topics studied include neuroanatomical structures and functions, neuroendocrine regulation of behavior, neuronal basis of perception, and attention.

GR253/453 Biosocialspiritual Aspects of Aging (2/2)
Applied gerontology in the public and private sector is developed. Studies current conditions involving the physical, social, and psychological aspects of aging. Examines health concerns of the elderly, including medical care, long term care, nutrition, elder abuse, and Medicare and Medicaid. Exercise, stress, health, nutrition, and aging will be discussed. BBS4980.40 (3)

GR254/454 Psychotherapeutic Techniques in Aging (2/2)
Explores issues of aging including spirituality, using major approaches to psychotherapy and comparative analysis of theories of change and the psychotherapeutic process. BBS4980.37 (3, 5, 6)

GR257/457 Program Development and Administration (3/3)
Studies application of administrative concepts and skills in the geriatric health system. Highlights administration of health personnel, health economies, funding, insurance budgeting, and management of geriatric settings.

GR258/458 Professional Ethics and Law in Gerontology (1/1)
Examines the ethical and legal codes of mental health professionals with emphasis on the geriatric population.

GR264/464 Ethnicity and Aging (1/1)
Examines the characteristics and needs of various ethnic and minority aging groups and how government and other social institutions can respond to them.

GR266/466 Pre-retirement Planning (1/1)
Investigates basic issues related to pre-retirement and planning techniques commonly employed by labor, business, education, and other sectors.

GR271/471 Dying, Death, and Bereavement (1/1)
Addresses the psychological reactions of terminally ill people and their families and examines appropriate therapeutic interventions related to the grief process. BBS4980.37 (2), 4980.40 (3)

GR293 Brain Science and Emotion (3)
Cross-listed with CP293. See Clinical Psychology listings for course description.

GR359A Research: Methodology (3)
Provides an overview of research design and methodology. Special emphasis is placed on helping the student understand conceptually the principles of psychosocial research. Topics include Observation and Measurement, Study Design and Implementation, and Descriptive and Inferential Statistics. Course grades are determined by midterm and final exams, as well as a first draft of a research proposal.

GR359P Research: Proposal (3)
This course is designed as a workshop to help students develop and complete their Master’s Thesis research projects. Lectures involve more pragmatic application of the material presented in GR359A. Writing assignments facilitate students’ completing their research projects in a timely fashion.The thesis involves a critical and complete review of the literature related to the chosen topic and a proposed study, which would serve to further the current knowledge base. Students are expected to finish their research projects by the end of the semester in which the course is taken. If projects are not completed, then the student is required to retake the course. Students must complete their theses while in residence at Notre Dame de Namur University. Theses may not be completed at a distance.

GR359T Research: Completion (3)
This course enables the student to complete the data collection, discussion, and conclusion sections of the thesis, in reference to the hypothesis, and to complete the entire thesis, and present at the NDNU Graduate Conference.

GR376/476 Gerontology Internship (3/3)
Offers supervised field experience in a setting appropriate for gerontology practicum. The field internship is done in settings enabling students to acquire competencies and experiences in working with the geriatric population.

GR377/477 Gerontology Internship Seminar (3/3)
Seminar for students in Gerontology internship. Topics include clinical issues of aging and legal and ethical dynamics. Students apply gerontological theory to field experiences.

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• A cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 or better; 3.0 grade-point average preferred
• Two academic and/or professional recommendations which include a written statement describing the applicant and his/her qualifications for the intended degree
• An autobiographical statement which discusses the applicant's interest in becoming a gerontologist
• A personal interview with the Program Director is required

Students may enter Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters.

For further information, call the department at (650) 508-3557 or e-mail them at clinpsych.ger@ndnu.edu.