Entering online Master's in Gerontology programs can help working adults of all ages mature their human services skills for greater career longevity protecting the well-being of older generations. According to the U.S. News & World Report, gerontology master's blend biology with health and social sciences to understand issues affecting senior citizens. Demand for gerontological expertise is growing as the baby boomers born after World War II from 1946-64 reach later life. The Population Reference Bureau expects the number of elderly citizens will double to 98 million by 2060. America is ranked 26th worldwide for a life expectancy of 78.7 years, but seniors often face disease, neglect, financial instability, mobility difficulties, and more. For instance, the Alzheimer's Association shows $277 billion spending to treat 5.7 million people with dementias yearly. Online gerontology master's have affordable, 24/7 formats for studying the interdisciplinary field founded by Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov a century ago.
Explore these promoted online degree programs.
These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Master's or PhD programs.
Ranking 10 Low-cost Online Gerontology Master's
Which Jobs Will Online Master's in Gerontology Graduates Qualify For?
Finishing an online gerontology master's makes altruistic post-grads eligible for most careers working with older adults, excluding geriatric physician, college professor, geropsychologist, and elder law attorney. Gerontology graduate schools train students for diverse settings from mental health facilities to assisted living centers and hospices. Knowledge of seniors' unique problems aids careers in various disciplines, such as nursing, public policy, dietetics, public health, audiology, and even financial advising, especially when paired with industry credentials. For example, the Commission for Case Manager Certification has designated over 45,000 CCMs with 12+ months of full-time experience and passing three-hour test scores. The American Nurses Credentialing Center offers the RN-BC in Gerontology title for individuals with 2,000+ clinical hours who pass the 175-question, $270 ANA exam. Let's peruse five specific job descriptions where a master's in gerontology online would be viewed favorably.
Gerontologist- Getting a cheap gerontology master's could start a biomedical research career setting up empirical-based studies on the biological, social, psychological, and emotional aspects of aging for publications like the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Gerontologists pose investigative hypotheses, write research proposals, pursue IRB approval, collect data, draw sound conclusions, present findings at conferences, and inform clinical staff.
Nursing Home Administrator- Passing the Long Term Care Administrator NAB Exam after an online master's in gerontology online would certify one's ability to coordinate residential elderly care for 1.4 million patients nationwide. Nursing home administrators set operational policies, plan senior activities, supervise nurses, handle insurance claims, procure supplies, adhere to regulations, account expenditures, investigate grievances, and market services.
Geriatric Social Worker- Labeled Forbes' #7 most meaningful job, geriatric social work focuses on helping clients cope with aging processes both clinical and non-clinical for long life expectancies. Adding a gerontology master's online to BSW training would prepare for assessing senior needs, customizing interventions, referring social services like Meals on Wheels, signing clients to Medicare, nurturing good mental health, and giving grief counseling.
Rehabilitation Counselor- Online gerontology master's study could lead to the 26th best healthcare job on the U.S. News & World Report getting injured or impaired older adults to recovery. The 103,030 rehabilitation counselors evaluate disabilities, consult clinicians for treatment plans, arrange therapeutic care, propose life changes, introduce assistive technology, teach caregiving skills, record progress, and advocate for accommodations.
Elder Care Advocate- Older Americans are victim to financial scams and abuses that cost $36.5 billion each year according to CNBC, so elder care advocates are needed to promote their best interests when cognition declines. Having an online gerontology master's could help navigate Social Security laws, assist with medical decisions, find suitable housing, review health bills, secure proper services, supervise in-home aides, and check their welfare.
What is the Earnings ROI for Gerontology Master's Online Programs?
Cheap gerontology master's online training is suggested because gratifying human services jobs are usually low paid with a mid-range salary of $50,000 according to the Fiscal Policy Institute. That's less than the median master's pay of $69,732 and lifetime earnings of $2.98 million posted by SmartAsset. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that social science careers make overall average income of $63,340. Geriatric service managers can expect a median salary of $64,680. Elderly care social workers claim mean profits of $55,510 annually. Gerontology RNs snag average revenue of $68,450 per year. On Salary.com, nursing home administrators post a mean income of $109,692. Other higher averages include $75,708 for case managers, $104,733 for patient safety directors, $89,246 for adult daycare managers, $80,885 for hospice supervisors, and $127,552 for rehabilitation directors.
How are Employment Prospects for Master's in Gerontology Online Degrees?
Job security is strong for gerontology master's online graduates because the Census Bureau projects that adults aged 65+ will represent one in every five citizens by 2030. Health and human services is among America's fastest-growing sectors worth a whopping $3 trillion with $618.7 billion Medicare spending. The Department of Labor expects a jump of 14 percent for 371,900 new community service jobs through 2026. Demand for gerontologists' research will spike hiring by 13 percent. Geriatric social workers have favorable prospects with rapid 16 percent growth. Other 10-year outlooks include 13 percent for rehabilitation counselors, 18 percent for senior service directors, 20 percent for nursing home administrators, and 23 percent for family therapists. Bloomberg highlighted Utah, Iowa, South Carolina, Washington, and Nebraska as the most retiree-friendly states, so jobs abound here. Online master's in gerontology programs have location flexibility to grow smarter on elderly care topics anywhere.
Sources:Population Reference BureauAlzheimer's AssociationNCES College NavigatorAccreditation for Gerontology Education Council
Methodology
The Grad School Hub staff endeavored to find great bargains on master's in gerontology online education. We used the National Center for Education Statistics' College Navigator to locate nonprofit universities offering gerontology advanced degrees only by distance learning. Our search results turned up 27 schools that were checked for high-quality regional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database. Though not required, extra kudos were given for Accreditation for Gerontology Education Council (AGEC) recognition. Next, our team arranged the initial pool based on published 2016-17 graduate in-state tuition data and nixed those above $13,000. In descending order, we've introduced the 10 most affordable gerontology master's online where graduates can analyze the "age wave" with little debt below.
