Gerontology

All graduate school applicants must satisfy university and degree-specific graduate admissions requirements to be considered for graduate admission to University of Idaho. Application requirements may vary depending on whether you are applying as a domestic or international student. Program-specific requirements can be found on each degree page.

Program availability

• Concentration: Non-thesis
• Semester intake: Fall, Spring or Summer
  • Eligible for Expedited admission for U of I undergraduates
  • Not eligible for international students who require F-1 visa status
• Deadlines: General application deadlines
  • Get started — explore the application process to earn your master’s in gerontology online
• Start dates: View the academic calendar to see start and end dates

Applicants for the M.S. in gerontology must meet the following admission requirements:

• Education level: Bachelor's degree from an accredited or recognized institution (earned or expected before the start of the graduate program)
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary education will be required. Unofficial transcripts may be used for initial admission review. Official transcripts sent directly by the issuing institution(s) will be required if admitted. View more information on the Graduate Admissions page.
• GPA: 3.0 (Applicants with a lower undergraduate GPA who have relevant professional experience in the field, have already earned a graduate degree, or have completed graduate-level credits may still be considered for admission with approval from the academic program.)
• Number of references: Not required
• Resume
• Statement of Purpose: Applicants are asked to respond to a series of prompts outlining their reasons for pursuing a master's degree in gerontology, including background, professional experience and/or career goals.
• English proficiency (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language).  
  • Accepted tests: TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo: 115, PTE-A: 58.  
• Learn what qualifies as proof of English proficiency.
• Valid picture ID (required to verify students’ identity and will be kept confidential)

Admissions process summary

• Applications are submitted online and are specific to the program and term selected. Applicants seeking admission to multiple programs must submit a separate application for each program.
• Before submitting an application, applicants must provide personal and academic information from all post-secondary institutions attended, recommender information, required program-specific materials, and their intended program and start term.
• Applications are reviewed for admission by the academic program. Only complete applications, including required letters of recommendation and payment of the application fee, will be forwarded for evaluation and admission decision. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their applications early to allow sufficient time for a thorough review. 

Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application. 

Have questions about the program, research opportunities or the graduate student experience? Connect with our program team for personalized guidance about curriculum, faculty mentorship, application requirements and graduate funding opportunities. 

Gerontology program contact/Director: 
Kallol Kumar Bhattacharyya, Ph.D.
kallolb@uidaho.edu 

SHAMP Admissions contact:
vandalmedicine@uidaho.edu

For questions related to admissions, application materials, transcripts or enrollment steps, contact Graduate Admissions:

Graduate Admissions:  
graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu  
208-885-4001

Interested in research areas or finding a faculty mentor? Explore faculty expertise, research interests and advising opportunities on the department’s faculty page.

Gerontology program costs 
There is no full-time tuition rate for the online gerontology program. Instead, all students pay the same flat per-credit rate regardless of residency status, enrollment level or academic term.

Online gerontology courses are $635 per credit hour, which includes:

• $600 per-credit tuition
• $35 per credit online course fee

This rate includes all program tuition and fees for courses within the gerontology program.

Courses taken outside of the gerontology curriculum are billed separately at the university’s standard online or in-person tuition rates, depending on the course format.

Financial support
University of Idaho is committed to making graduate education accessible and helping students navigate the cost of earning an advanced degree. In addition to financial aid and scholarship opportunities, many graduate students receive funding through research opportunities and other forms of academic support.

Here are a few key resources to help you understand graduate tuition, funding opportunities and available financial support:

• Submit your FAFSA: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important first step in accessing federal financial aid and certain institutional funding opportunities.  
• Explore scholarships and graduate funding opportunities: Graduate students may qualify for scholarships, fellowships and other funding opportunities based on academic achievement, area of study and professional experience.  

If you have questions about financial aid, scholarships or graduate funding, U of I’s experienced financial aid counselors and graduate program staff can help you explore options and make informed financial decisions throughout the admissions process.  

View financial aid resources

Graduate funding opportunities
Unsure how to find financial aid resources or external scholarships to fund your gerontology degree? We’re here to help — read about how to pay for healthcare programs.

University of Idaho’s online gerontology degree program is a good fit if you:

• Are passionate about improving the quality of life for aging populations.
• Aspire to lead programs or services for older adults in healthcare or community settings.
• Value the flexibility of an online master’s program that fits your busy schedule.
• Seek to influence healthcare, policy or social services for future generations.

Clubs and involvement opportunities

Find ways to get involved through the School of Medical Health Professions:

• Idaho Office of Underserved and Rural Medical Research: Conduct impactful research with faculty members focused on increasing care in rural and underserved areas.  
• North Idaho Area Health Education Center (AHEC): Connect your education with opportunities to serve regional health needs.  
• Project ECHO Idaho: Participate in virtual training to increase your knowledge as a healthcare professional.

As part of your capstone project, you can complete a gerontology internship in your community that aligns with your professional goals.  

Curriculum and courses

The online M.S. in gerontology is a 30-credit program that covers critical topics in gerontology and allows you to tailor your education to your interests through electives like:

• Community Engagement and Leisure Arts in Aging
• Pharmacological Management for Older Adults
• Program Development and Evaluation for Aging
• Rural Health and Aging
• The Business of Geriatric Care Management

The online gerontology degree takes one year to complete as a full-time student, but you have the flexibility to study part-time and begin the program in any term. You’ll take all courses online and end the program with a capstone project to apply your learning in a real-world setting.  

Review online gerontology degree requirements

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