Graduate Student Handbook. University of North Carolina Wilmington

Transcription

1 Master of Science in Applied Gerontology Post Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Gerontology Master of Arts in Liberal Studies with a Gerontology Concentration Graduate Student Handbook University of North Carolina Wilmington August 2011 Eleanor Krassen Covan, PhD Gerontology Program Coordinator McNeil Hall Room 2041 Tel: Fax: The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is an equal opportunity institution and, in keeping with this policy, the University makes no distinction in the admission of students, or in any other of its activities, on the basis of age, sex, color, race, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, political belief or affiliation, disability, veteran status, marital status or membership or non-membership in any organization.

2 2 Table of Contents I. General Program Requirements. 3 II. Opportunities for Graduate Degrees.. 3 A. Master of Science Degree in Gerontology. 3 B. MALS Degree with Gerontology Concentration 3 C. Post-Baccalaureate Certificate... 3 III. Teaching Methods... 4 IV. Advising and Progression 4 V. Full-Time Status.. 4 VI. Retention Policy.. 5 VII. Service-Learning. 6 VIII. Practicum. 5 IX. Completing the Certificate or Graduate Requirements... 6 X. Code of Conduct. 6 XI. Protection of Human and Animal Rights 6 XII. Facilities.. 7. XIII. Student Services.. 7 XIV. Admission Requirements. 7 XV. Course Descriptions Appendix I-A. MS in gerontology Track Sheets Appendix I-B. Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Track Sheet.. 12 Appendix I-C. MALS with Gerontology Concentration Track Sheet Appendix II. Gerontology Faculty.. 14 Appendix III. Practicum Form. 15 Appendix IV. Practicum Time Record. 16

3 3 I. General Program Information The School of Health and Applied Human Sciences offers a multi disciplinary post-baccalaureate certificate program in gerontology, and a Master of Science in Applied Gerontology. In addition, the College of Arts and Sciences offers a Master of Liberal Studies with a specialized concentration in gerontology Students attend face-to-face and on-line classroom presentations, and they are expected to make time for field experiences in the community. With such a combined curriculum, you will receive a foundation to help you work with aging adults. Our course content addresses all aspects of aging with required courses in biology, psychology, sociology, and research methods and electives in social work, therapeutic recreation, family and health, health care access, aging Vietnam veterans, women and aging, and other special topic seminars. All students must complete a hands-on practicum with a business or service organization working with older adults. Students also come from a variety of academic backgrounds. The curriculum and diversity among the students provide the opportunity to gain a broad perspective of the concepts and issues of aging. This document is a supplement to policies, procedures and requirements found in the UNCW Graduate School Handbook. II. Opportunities for Graduate Degrees: A.) Master of Science in Applied Gerontology The Graduate School offers a multidisciplinary Master of Science degree in Gerontology. The program will train professionals to face the challenges of an aging population. The 36 credit hour program is built on theoretical foundations supported by the practical application of servicelearning, integrating teaching, research and service. Graduates will use knowledge of applied gerontology to affect the quality of life for older adults in retirement communities, health care settings, and other public and private organizations. Students will collaborate with gerontology faculty addressing research issues related to the aging process. The primary goal of the program is to improve the quality of life for the region s older adults by adequately training leaders in the workforce. All Master of Science students complete a final project (see for details) B.) Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) with a Gerontology Concentration The program requires 30 semester hours and is designed to provide an understanding and professional knowledge of the role of elders in our society. Those students who decide to seek a MALS degree with a specialized concentration in gerontology must take GRN 501: Aging in Society; GRN 523: Physiology of Aging; PSY 524: Psychology of Aging: and six elective hours in gerontology in addition to GLS 502, Contemporary Issues in Liberal Studies, GLS 598, Final Project in Liberal Studies, and 9 hours of other GLS courses. C.) Post-baccalaureate Certificate The School of Health and Applied Human Sciences offers a multidisciplinary postbaccalaureate certificate in gerontology that requires 15 semester hours and can be completed in concert with other UNCW Graduate Programs such as the Master of Social Work or the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. The goal of the program is to provide a program of instruction and educational experiences in the field of gerontology at the graduate level, i.e., an academic foundation for those planning to work with aging adults. As those who serve the elderly must be

4 4 aware of various aspects of aging, course work will address current issues of importance to the aged, the physiology, sociology, and psychology of aging with a hands-on practicum working with older adults. The program provides students with the opportunity to gain a broad perspective of the concepts and issues in aging as well as to profit from the diverse backgrounds of fellow students. Course requirements include: GRN 540: Current Issues in Gerontology; GRN 501: Aging in Society; GRN 523: Physiology of Human Aging; PSY 524: Psychology of Aging; and GRN 590: Practicum in Gerontology. Students may also take special topic seminars as electives to broaden their knowledge in gerontology. III. Teaching Methods Graduate courses in gerontology focus on the seminar method of teaching and learning. Students are required to do literature searches, to gain information from journals as well as some textbooks, and bring their findings to class to share with other students and the faculty. Although some courses will involve lecture presentations, students must be self-directed in their studies and seek information appropriately. Service-learning opportunities are also part of the curriculum ( There will be multiple opportunities to work with other students on research and service projects. All Master of Science and certificate students will also complete gerontology practicums. IV. Advising and Progression Upon admission to the gerontology program, each student is expected to schedule an advising appointment with the coordinator of gerontology and/or an adviser assigned to the student by the program coordinator. The student will be given a list of the courses needed to complete the gerontology certificate. A student can thus track his or her progress toward completing certificate or graduate. A blank copy of the track sheet is included as Appendix I of this handbook. The student may also track progress toward the credential to be earned through using the on-line data base known as SeaNet. Each student is expected to schedule subsequent academic advising appointments during the seventh week of each semester (typically the week after Fall and Spring Break) in order that recommendations may be made for the following semester s course selections and also to ensure that practicum placements can be made in a timely manner. A list of Gerontology Program faculty appears as Appendix II of this handbook. Please contact individual faculty members if you have questions about their courses. V. Full-Time Status Graduate-Regular Term Full-time status requires a minimum enrollment of nine credit hours. However, a graduate student may also be considered full-time when enrolled for less than nine hours if the student: 1) holds a full (20 hour) teaching or research assistantship and is enrolled in five or more hours, 2) holds a partial (less than 20 hours) teaching or research assistantship and is enrolled for seven or more hours, 3) is enrolled in GRN 590 (Practicum), 4) is enrolled in GRN 598 (Final Project), 5) is enrolled in GLS 598 (Final Project), or 6) is enrolled in GRC 600 (continuous enrollment). Half-time status begins with at least four and a half (4.5) credit hours. A student may not enroll beyond two terms of continuous enrollment (GRC 600). Summer counts as one regular term.

5 5 Graduate-Summer Term A graduate student in good standing, who is pre-registered for the following fall semester, is not required to enroll during the summer to maintain status as a graduate student and retain privileges for access to campus facilities. Full-time status, however, requires a minimum enrollment of four credit hours. A student may also be considered full-time when enrolled for less than four hours if the student: 1) holds a full (20 hour) teaching or research assistantship and is enrolled in two or more hours, 2) holds a partial (less than 20 hours) teaching or research assistantship and is enrolled for three or more hours,, 3) is enrolled in GRN 590 (Practicum), 4) is enrolled in GRN 598 (Internship), 5) is enrolled in GLS 598 (Final Project), or 6) is enrolled in GRC 600 (continuous enrollment). One to three hours of thesis work may also qualify the student as half-time if approved in writing by the graduate dean. A student may not enroll beyond two terms of continuous enrollment (GRC 600). Summer counts as one regular term. VI. Retention Policy The following retention policy is set by the Graduate School. Three grades of C, one grade of F, or one grade of U (thesis) results in dismissal from the graduate program. Further, if a student falls below a 3.0 GPA at any time, he or she goes on academic probation and has either three subsequent courses or nine hours to bring the GPA up to at least a 3.0. In addition, a student must have at least a 3.0 GPA in order to begin any program specific comprehensive examination and/or thesis work. VII. Service-Learning Our goal in the gerontology program is to supplement coursework in biology, health sciences, psychology, and sociology of aging, with practical hands-on experience with older populations. Thus students who have a general interest in the aging process can realistically consider a career involving working with older adults. Older adults are our primary service-learning partners, however, in arranging service-learning activities, UNCW initiates service-learning contracts that include the following people: Staff in facilities or agencies where students are placed Course instructor Students in service-learning groups More information can be found in the Gerontology Program Service-Learning Manual. All UNCW graduate students in gerontology must participate in at least one service-learning project before completing their program. VIII. Practicum The Gerontology Practicum for Masters students requires 250 clock hours and will be under the combined supervision of UNCW faculty and persons in business, government or non-profit organizations who deliver products or services to older adults. Graduate certificate students need to complete a practicum of at least 125 clock hours. The goals of the practicum are twofold for students earning masters degrees: 1) to gain hands-on experience in the field under the supervision of practicing gerontologists, and 2) to gather research data that may be incorporated in and shape each student s applied final master s project. Practicum placements are made on an individual basis in consideration of community needs, student undergraduate training and student

6 6 career goals. After other gerontology requirements have been met, a member of the gerontology faculty will meet with a student to make recommendations about a suitable placement. It is the responsibility of the student to make the initial contact with a prospective agency. In all cases, a student must have a signed memorandum of understanding (Appendix III) between the student, on-site practicum supervisor, and the director of gerontology programs before beginning her/his practicum. This memorandum of understanding should clearly outline the goals and objectives of the practicum and what learning activities meet these goals and objectives. For example, if a practicum goal is to learn about caregiver needs then an accompanying learning activity could be interviewing caregivers or creating a survey. It should also outline the agreed upon work schedule. It is expected that a three credit hour practicum will entail 125 hours of work during an academic semester or approximately ten and a half (10 1/2) hours of work each week during the fall or spring for a total of 125 hours (See Appendix IV for Time Sheet). Examples of potential practicum locations are adult day care facilities, long-term care facilities, retirement homes, the Department of Aging, the Area Agency on Aging, and hospice. Students must complete an Individual Experiential Learning Record available on the web at: IX. Completing the Certificate or Graduate requirements During the last semester of coursework the student should fill out a form notifying the Graduate School of her or his intent to complete the program. The form is available from, and requires the signature of, the coordinator of gerontology. The coordinator will forward the form to the Graduate School. Upon receipt of necessary paper work and successful completion of courses taken in the student s final semester: A student s name will be listed in the commencement program The Graduate School will notify the Registrar in writing when requirements are complete Successful Master of Science in Gerontology candidates will be presented their diploma at commencement If obtaining a gerontology certificate, the Registrar's Office will add this line of text to the transcript: "Certificate Program in Gerontology completed on applicable date". A certificate will be printed by the Graduate School and presented to the student in a Gerontology Program ceremony honoring the student s accomplishments. X. Code of Conduct Students are expected to adhere to the policies, procedures and regulations as stipulated in the Student Handbook and Code of Student Life for the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. XI. Protection of Human and Animal Rights Students are expected to adhere to the university s requirements and procedures for the protection of human and animal subjects. As required by UNCW IRB policy, key personnel, student researchers and research assistants who are involved in the design and/or conduct must demonstrate completion of human subject protection training. Documentation of completion must be on file in ORSSP before the protocol will receive IRB review. A link to the approved online training course and instructions is provided on the following website: ORSSP retains the records of all completed training.

7 7 XII. Facilities Gerontology programs are administratively housed in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences in the College of Health and Human Services. Students will have access to the UNCW library, campus computer laboratories, and other facilities that are available to graduate students in the departments that are offering courses in gerontology. There is a computer lab for the exclusive use of graduate students that is located in Randall Library. Please refer to the University Graduate Catalogue for descriptions of campus facilities. XIII. Student Services Students are referred to the UNCW Graduate Catalogue for information on counseling, disability services, wellness services, national testing programs, career services, and housing assistance. XIV. Admission Requirements Applicants seeking admission to the Gerontology graduate programs in gerontology must hold a bachelor s degree from an accredited college or university in this country or its equivalent in a foreign institution based on a four-year program, and have a strong overall academic record with a "B" average or better in the basic courses prerequisite to gerontology. Applicants are required to submit the following to the Graduate School: An application for graduate admission Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate) An essay on the applicant s goals in pursuing the credential Three recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant fields GRE scores (required of MS candidates only) In addition to the above, students must satisfy the following additional requirements: An interview with the Gerontology Student Admissions Committee Complete the following undergraduate prerequisites or the equivalent 1. Introductory coursework in gerontology or aging. Students who have had no academic coursework in gerontology may note that an introductory course is available at UNCW that can be taken prior to enrolling in any graduate gerontology course 2. Introduction to Sociology 3. Introduction to Psychology 4. Statistics and Research Methodology 5. Principles of Biology

8 8 XV. Course Descriptions *GRN 501/SOC 501 Aging and Society (3) Study of age as a structural feature of changing societies and groups, aging and social process, and age as a dimension of stratification. *GRN 503 Investigative Inquiry in Gerontology (3) Principles of quantitative and qualitative methods used in gerontological research and inquiry. GRN 518 Women and Aging (3) Examines women's experience of old age and the aging process. Specific emphasis on family, medical, and economic institutions. *GRN 523 Physiology of Human Aging (3) An overview of the aging process with special emphasis on anatomical and physiological changes that occur with human aging. Current theories as to the mechanisms of aging are considered. Premature aging diseases and age-related diseases are discussed. Student presentations are required. Three lecture hours each week. GRN 524 Literature of Aging (3) Contemporary fiction and nonfiction by Philip Roth, Doris Lessing, May Sarton, and others, selected for their depictions of older protagonists and explorations of opportunities and challenges of later life, are analyzed. Literary theories, literary criticism, and gerontological scholarship contribute to the interpretations. The text's ways of challenging our culture's ageism are emphasized. GRN 526 Psychosocial Adjustment To Retirement and Later Life (3) A seminar focusing on the psychosocial aspects of retirement and post-employment years. Theories of aging and scientific inquiry applied to retirement, and their significant others. *GRN 540 Current Issues in Gerontology (3) Study of current issues and topics in the field of aging from an interdisciplinary and global perspective. GRN 544 Midlife Transitions for Women (3) The interdisciplinary study of social construction of menopause and midlife as embodying a culture s image of aging for women. GRN 546 Health Care Access for the Elderly (3)

9 9 An introduction to the US health care system with an emphasis on issues related to the elderly. Problems of access to health care for the aging population, their families, and communities. *GRN 590 Practicum in Gerontology (3) Prerequisites: GRN/SOC 501, PSY 524, GRN/BIO 523. A field experience designed to demonstrate knowledge and skills related to geriatric or gerontological practice. May be repeated once for credit. Six (6) practicum hours required for students without experience in the aging network. GRN 591 Directed Individual Research in Gerontology (3) Prerequisites: GRN/SOC 501, PSY 524, GRN 523. Involves research in gerontology under faculty supervision beyond what is offered in existing courses. Requires consent of program director. May be repeated for credit. GRN 595 Special Topic Seminar in Gerontology (3) Discussion of special topics related to gerontology. May be repeated with a different topic for credit. Past topics have included Spirituality & Aging, Elder Law Issues, Communication & Aging, Epidemiology, Health Care Access for the Elderly and Aquatic Therapy. *GRN 598 Final Project in Gerontology (6) Prerequisites: completion of 21 hour gerontology core degree requirements and permission of the GRN coordinator. Intensive study of an applied topic in gerontology selected by the student and approved by a committee of two gerontology faculty and a professional working for or with older adults. Includes definition of problem, review of related literature, methods statement, results and discussion of implications. Oral presentation defending project is required. PAR 505 Bioethics and Aging (3) Examination of the principles and problems in the application of ethical theory to medical research and practice with emphasis on the special ethical problems of providing health care services to the aging population and involving elderly patients in medical research. PSY 516 Adult Development and Life Transitions (3) This course explores the major normative and non-normative changes that take place during adulthood. Operating from a lifespan perspective, topics include examination of how adults initiate, understand, cope with and resolve life transitions (i.e., parenting, loss, illness, career change, relationship change, etc.) *PSY 524 Psychology of Aging (3)

10 10 Prerequisite: Course in aging or gerontology or permission of instructor. Advanced topics on the effects of aging on a variety of psychological processes including attention, memory, complex cognition, personality, mental health, and social support. * Required Courses for Master of Science Degree (A student may substitute a graduate research course taken in another discipline for GRN 503 if the substitute was taken to satisfy degree requirements in that discipline)

11 11 Appendix I A Master of Science in Applied Gerontology Track Sheet Student Name: Student ID: Program requires 36 credit hours. Course Instructor Semester, Year GRN/SOC 501 Aging and Society GRN 503 Investigative Inquiry in Gerontology* GRN 523 Physiology of Human Aging GRN 540 Current Issues in Gerontology GRN 590 Practicum in Gerontology (6 hrs) GRN 598 Final Project in Gerontology (6 hrs) PSY 524 Psychology of Aging GRN/SOC 518 Women and Aging GRN 524 Literature of Aging GRN 526 Psychosocial Adjustment to Retirement in Later Life GRN 544 Midlife Transitions for Women GRN 546 Health Care Access for the Elderly GRN 591 Directed Individual Research in Gerontology GRN 595 Special Topic Seminar Title: GRN 595 Special Topic Seminar Title: PAR 505 Bioethics and Aging PSY 516 Adult Development and Life Transitions *or any graduate course in research/statistics Required Courses (27 hours) Electives (9 hours) Grade Credit Remove Incomplete By This Date

12 12 Appendix I B Gerontology Post-baccalaureate Certificate Track Sheet Student Name: Student ID: Program requires 15 credit hours in gerontology. Course Instructor Semester, Year GRN/SOC 501 Aging and Society GRN 540 Current Issues in Gerontology* GRN 523 Physiology of Human Aging GRN 590 Practicum in Gerontology PSY 524 Psychology of Aging Required Courses (15 hours) Grade Credit Remove Incomplete By This Date Appendix II GERONTOLOGY FACULTY Candace Ashton, Associate Professor, Health & Applied Human Sciences ashtonc@uncw.edu Phone: Office: Friday Hall Annex Tim Ballard, Associate Professor, Biology ballardt@uncw.edu Phone: Office: DO 114 Etta Breit, Adjunct Faculty, Gerontology breite@uncw.edu Phone: Office: FR 109 Eleanor Krassen Covan, Program Coordinator and Professor of Gerontology and Sociology covane@uncw.edu Phone: Office: McN 1041 Alissa Dark-Freudeman, Assistant Professor, Psychology freudemana@uncw.edu Phone: Office: S&B 110E Steve Elliott, Associate Professor, Health & Applied Human Sciences elliotts@uncw.edu Phone: Office: HH 201E

13 13 Elizabeth Fugate-Whitlock, Lecturer, Gerontology Phone: Office McN 1047 Candace Gauthier, Professor, Philosophy Phone: Office: BR 272 Judith S. Kinney, Part-time Faculty, Gerontology Phone: Office: SB 214 Joseph Kishton, Professor, Psychology Phone: Office: SB 211E Barbara Waxman, Professor, English Phone: Office: MO 132

14 14 Appendix III Gerontology Practicum University of North Carolina at Wilmington Gerontology Program Practicum Form Date Name of Student Student ID # May register for GRN 590 with hours credit for semester (year). The practicum will be located at: Facility: Position: Address: Telephone: Practicum Supervisor: Practicum Objectives: Approved by:, Faculty Supervisor, Date, Agency Supervisor Date

15 15 Appendix IV GRN 590 Practicum Time Record Date Hours Cumulative Hours Signature You may copy as required.