PhD in Gerontology Requirements
Requirements for the PhD in Gerontology degree consist of:
- Course work totaling at least 69 credits;
- an empirical research policy paper;
- a qualifying paper exam; and
- a doctoral dissertation.
PhD Requirements: Course Work
Students in the PhD in Gerontology Program complete a minimum of 69 credits, distributed as follows:
- Four foundation courses (12 credits):
- Social Aspects of Aging (Geron 621)
- Psychology of Aging (Geron 628)
- Ethnic and Racial Diversity in Aging Societies (Geron 724)
- Six research courses (18 credits):
- Research Methods and Experimental Design (Geron 601);
- Statistical Methods in the Analysis of Social Problems I and II (Geron 603-604 or PubPol 604-605);
- Current National Data Bases in Gerontological Policy Research (Geron 726);
- Research Practicum in Gerontology (Geron727);
and one of the following: - Qualitative Methods and Field Research (Geron 609); or
- Advanced Statistical Methods in Gerontology (Geron 701); or
- Demographic Methods in Aging (Geron 732); or
- Survey Research Methods I (CSR 501)
- Two policy foundation courses (6 credits):
- Issues in Aging Policy (Geron 623)
- Intermediate Aging Policy Analysis (Geron 760)
- One advanced gerontology policy course (3 credits):
- Advanced Policy Analysis (Geron 761)
- Three semesters of Colloquium Series(3 credits):
- Multidisciplinary Seminar in Aging (Geron 688):
One credit is earned for each of the three semesters.
- Multidisciplinary Seminar in Aging (Geron 688):
- At least six elective courses (18 credits) at the graduate level:
- Electives may be taken within the Gerontology Program, other University of Massachusetts Boston graduate programs, and/or other cooperating universities.
- Dissertation Research (9 credits):(Geron 899)
PhD Course Descriptions and Schedules
PhD Requirements: Empirical Research Policy Paper
By the end of the fourth semester of study, PhD in Gerontology students are expected to complete an empirical research policy paper, comparable to an article that would be published in a professional academic journal. The paper is to be based on the preparatory course work in research methods and statistical analysis undertaken during the first and second years of study.
In the third semester of study students enroll in Geron 726 (Current National Data Bases in Gerontological Policy Research ), and in the fourth semester they enroll in Geron 727 (Research Practicum in Gerontology). The two courses provide an opportunity to do an in-depth examination of data bases in aging, participate in a process of detailed analysis of findings, and learn how academic material is presented for scholarly review.
The resulting research paper contains all the elements of a scholarly article: statement of the problem, literature review, research design or analytic framework, presentation of findings, and conclusions. Completion and acceptance of the paper by two faculty reviewers by the end of the fourth term is a prerequisite to take preliminary examinations.
PhD Requirements: Qualifying Paper Exam
Each student must complete a qualifying paper exam to be accepted into candidacy for the Ph.D. The qualifying paper provides students with the opportunity to do a critical review of a body of literature in the substantive area in which their dissertation topic is located.
The paper serves as evidence of the student's readiness to begin doctoral work and as a pathway into the broader literature surrounding her/his dissertation topic. In consultation with the Graduate Program Director (GPD), the student selects a committee of three faculty members to guide the exam and together they identify a topic, a set of organizing questions and a reading list. The qualifying paper exam is normally taken after the completion of course work, in the spring semester.
PhD Requirements: Doctoral Dissertation
Students in the PhD in Gerontology Program are required to complete a doctoral dissertation that reflects an original and independent scholarly contribution to the state of knowledge in the field of gerontology. A doctoral dissertation proposal may be prepared upon successful completion of the preliminary examination. Following development of a proposal, a dissertation committee is established and approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies.
The dissertation is supervised by a primary advisor and a dissertation committee consisting of at least three members, one of whom must be from outside the Gerontology faculty. The committee is responsible for approving the dissertation proposal, overseeing the data collection and analysis, and reviewing drafts of the dissertation.
Candidates enroll in Geron 801 (Dissertation Seminar) or a dissertation workshop, which assists them in developing the dissertation proposal, and Geron 899 (Dissertation Research). Before the completion of a successful oral defense, the formal dissertation must be approved by the dissertation committee and the Office of Graduate Studies.
The adequacy of each student's progress toward the PhD degree is reviewed at least once a year. Until the student's dissertation committee is formed, this assessment is made by the program director in consultation with the faculty. Criteria for adequate progress include performance in courses, major papers, and preliminary examinations. Students are expected to maintain a B average in courses, and normally, two grades of C or one grade of F will result in expulsion from the program.
Contact Us About the PhD in Gerontology
For further information about the PhD in Gerontology at UMass Boston, please feel free to contact us by e-mail at gerontology@umb.edu or by telephone at 617.287.7302.