Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Geropsychology
Overview
Learn Best Practices and Strategies for Elderly Care
Understand and improve the way we care for elderly populations through the advanced Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Geropsychology from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Provide knowledge and application of psychological theories toward best practices for individuals, families and health care providers caring for aging populations.
Inspire positive changes in elderly patient treatment and care through knowledge of theory, research, statistics and a rigorous exploration of our aging population's well-being, including a deeper exploration of the relationship between body and mind.
In addition to both cognitive and sociological impacts on aging persons, you examine issues of death, cultural influences associated with the end of life and ethical practices in caring for the elderly. Physical and mental illness are explored, including ways to assist aging adults with coping strategies to better manage physical, mental and cognitive changes.
Degree Outcomes
Improve the Present and Future of our Elderly
Immerse yourself in various strategic and ethical frameworks for improving the lives of senior citizens, including an exploration of current and future health care trends. An extensive, advanced curriculum provides you an opportunity to analyze theories and implement evidence-based strategies to improve the mental, emotional and social well-being of elderly populations. Concepts and strategies related to physical, cognitive and spiritual care at the end of a lifespan are also explored.
A capstone project at the end of this MS in Psychology with an Emphasis in Geropsychology degree program can help your transition into the workforce or pursuit of additional education. Explore original research pertaining to your field of interest associated with aging populations.
What You Will Learn
Create Positive Change in Senior Citizen Health Care
Course topics include:
- Sociology of aging
- Statistics
- Biology of aging
- Death and dying
- Social and cultural psychology
- Ethical issues in psychology
Career Outcomes
Care for and Research of Elderly Populations
The geropsychology degree master's program can prepare you for a variety of careers in health care facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, mental health facilities and government agencies. Additional private- or government-funded research opportunities also exist to delve into issues associated with older populations such as cancer, Alzheimer's and dementia.
Course List
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the liberal arts. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.
Course Description
This course serves as the foundation for advanced graduate study in the field of psychology. Professional skill development, such as critical thinking, scholarly writing, and literature reviewing are covered, as well as contemporary ethical issues in the field of psychology, including issues in research, writing, psychotherapy, forensic psychology, and animal research.
Course Description
This course is a study of social, group, and multicultural factors affecting individual behavior. Attention is given to the development of attitudes, leadership roles, group thinking, sources of conflict, altruism, attraction, effects of competition and cooperation, analysis and evaluation of propaganda techniques, and the influence of mass communication on social awareness and control.
Course Description
This course is a critical examination of social policies and systems which affect aging and retirement. The impact of multiple social contexts such as family, employment, work, and religion are examined.
Course Description
This course introduces the concept of death in society. Students examine research, theories, and case studies on the sociocultural dimensions of death and dying with a focus on end of life issues and grief management.
Course Description
This course provides a study of theories of probability, descriptive and inferential analyses of data, and testing of statistical hypotheses. Practical experience is provided in the application of statistical methods.
Course Description
This course emphasizes both the theoretical and applied aspects of experimental design and research methodology at the graduate level, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed designs.
Course Description
This course examines the biological principles and research that explain the causes of aging. An investigation into the human experience of biological aging, longevity, and age-related disease is made in order promote and modulate successful aging.
Course Description
This course examines the psychological, emotional, and spiritual aspects of aging. There is a focus on promoting positive aging and increasing well-being. Prerequisite: PSY-630.
Course Description
This course prepares students to enter their prospective career and/or continue their education in psychology. Students will explore occupations and leaders in the various psychological fields, formulate and compile their experiences and achievements, and construct a roadmap for success. Original research ideas will be solidified and presented.
Program Locations
Online
Evening
* The Department of Education defines how an institution must calculate a program's On-Time Completion rate for federal disclosure purposes. The On-Time Completion rate is based on a program's published required number of months to complete all degree requirements as provided in the institution's catalog. Completion statistics are updated every January and are based on the cohort of students who started the program in the same year and then graduated within the published program length.
Online and Evening program disclosures* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.