As the population continues to age, and live longer lives, there is an increasing need for professionals who are prepared to work with, understand, and study this unique stage of life.
If you have a passion for working with the elderly, you might want to consider a Ph.D. in gerontology. This discipline encompasses the study of and strategies related to the issues that elderly people may encounter. You will learn how to make vital decisions regarding aging care, the culture behind aging, and the pressing issues that affect this group of people.
Whether you choose to enter a career in research or one that works directly with the elderly, a Ph.D. in gerontology is the terminal degree that you can receive in this field. Students will be prepared to pursue leadership opportunities in all realms, including those in business, public policy, counseling, healthcare, and more.
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What kind of gerontology degree should you get?
Gerontology is a loose term referring to work with the elderly. As a gerontologist, your job duties will be varied. There are multiple industries in which a Ph.D. in gerontology would help you advance your career. As a result, you should find a Ph.D. program that best fits your personal goals.
Ask yourself a few key questions when you are searching for the perfect degree. Which setting would you like to work in? Would you prefer working with the elderly in a hands-on setting, or would you rather conduct research to help improve public policy and services for this population?
Most importantly, what kind of learning format would best help you meet your goals? Do you want to attend classes online or on-campus? Part-time or full-time? Do real-life projects, like internship experiences, interest you?
Because earning a Ph.D. is a major commitment, you want to make sure you find a program that is best suited to your personal and professional goals. If you're not sure that a Ph.D. in gerontology is right for you, be sure to take a look at our inclusive ranking of the Best Online Colleges and Universities.
How much money do people make with a degree in gerontology?
Because gerontology refers to an academic discipline and not one specific career, it is difficult to provide accurate average salaries for these professionals. Each gerontologist will earn a different salary depending on his or her industry, as well as the education and experience that he or she has received. However, gerontologists who have doctoral degrees – which are terminal degrees in this discipline – will earn the highest salaries overall.
Pay is highly influenced by the sector in which you work. Facility directors earn the highest salaries, most earning in excess of $94,500 each year. These jobs are also in high demand, expected to grow 17% by 2024. If you decide to become a personal care aide, however, you will only earn an average salary of about $20,980 – but these jobs are expected to increase by a whopping 26%.
After earning a Ph.D., it is not uncommon for many professionals to pursue careers in academia. Here, you will instruct students in the discipline and conduct research of your own. These careers are fast-growing, about 15% by 2026, and also high-paying as most professionals earn around $78,470 per year.
What can you do with a degree in gerontology?
You have numerous career opportunities once you receive a degree in gerontology. Whichever career you choose, you will work either directly with older adults as caregivers or advocates, or you will work to advance their wellbeing through education, administration, or research.
You might work as a geriatric social worker, helping to assist seniors whose physical, mental, or emotional well-being is jeopardized due to their living conditions. You could also become a life enrichment professional, helping to provide recreational therapy to senior citizens via art, physical therapy, herbal remedies, or other treatments.
If you prefer to work behind the scenes, there are plenty of options available to you as well. You could become a geriatric advocate, working in healthcare business management, public policy, grant writing, or education. Because there is so much schooling involved to obtain a Ph.D. in gerontology, most professionals with these degrees end up teaching at the college level.
What are the requirements for a degree in gerontology?
To receive a degree in gerontology, you will need to meet some prerequisite requirements. These requirements will vary depending upon your intended field of practice. For example, if you want to go into social work, you may need to have some advanced training in psychology or social services in order to be qualified for your job.
However, many degrees offer this additional training as a subspecialty of a concentration within the degree. All gerontology programs will give you a solid background in health services, nursing, psychology, management, and other areas that are crucial to improving the quality of life for seniors.
Before beginning coursework for your Ph.D., you will likely need a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a related subject. You might have already taken coursework in public health, psychology, child and family development, or nutrition. Either way, some prerequisite education is necessary before moving on to a doctoral degree in gerontology. Once you begin your Ph.D., you will take theoretical and hands-on classes to prepare you for your career – as well as to prepare you to write the dissertation that almost every doctoral degree requires.
What are the best degrees in gerontology?
Gerontology is a diverse and rapidly-evolving discipline. As a result, there is no single best program for every learner. However, our top-ranked programs are ones that are globally respected for their academic rigor and student services. Many provide pathways to career advancement via academic programming and internship opportunities, while others are recognized by the American Society on Aging.
What they all have in common, however, is that they offer first-class training in a discipline that is showing a growing demand as our population ages. When we tell you that these are the top Ph.D.'s in gerontology, we don't expect you to just take our word for it. We make sure that our ranking is backed by solid research, and that these schools offer the best support services, instruction, and affordability to help you meet your goals.
If you're interested in learning more about how we choose the best schools in gerontology, you've got to take a look at our methodology page. Here, you can get an up-close-and-personal look at how we determine the best programs in gerontology to help you meet your goals.
If you're ready to learn more about how you can obtain a rewarding career that improves the services and care provided to our elderly population, consider one of these best Ph.D.s in gerontology.
