Identifies roles of the gerontologist and conceptualizes the field to add clarity and understanding to the complex array of contemporary events. Topics include a brief description of the background that produced educational gerontology; a definition and clarification of the term; and identification of current and future roles for educational…

Compares gerontology master's degree curricula for length, content, and requirements. Results showed they have great comparability and fall within established guidelines. Master's degree programs in gerontology appear to be sufficiently similar to allow for beginning discussions of accreditation. (JAC)

A 1985 survey by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education and the Andrus Gerontology Center at the University of Southern California indicates that the number of campuses offering at least one credit course in gerontology has nearly doubled in the past 9 years. Courses are now available at most large campuses and are evenly distributed…

Survey of graduates of 15 gerontology master's degree programs indicated that employment roles and agencies were primarily administrative, not direct service. Most graduates accepted positions immediately after graduate school; others moved into them after holding other positions. Gerontology degree holders appear to be finding appropriate…

Responses from 390 of the 704 graduates of the University of Southern California's School of Gerontology 1976-1885 indicated (1) 51% were employed full time in the field; (2) 58% earned over $40,000; (3) 68% were very satisfied with their jobs; and (4) 64% found their coursework useful. Master's graduates were significantly more likely than…

Educational gerontology, a recently developed field of study, includes three components: (1) educational endeavors for older adults to modify attitudes and behaviors; (2) public education abut aging that will improve attitudes towards older people; (3) education training for professionals and practitioners for work in the field. Recommendations…

The publication summarizes a report on gerontology instruction in American institutions based on a 1985-1986 survey of over 3000 campuses. The summary examines previous knowledge of gerontology instruction and explains the purpose for the national survey, its design and goals, the questionnaires used and the data derived from them, and how the…

Gerontology instruction at the college and university level is analyzed in light of various developments, major issues confronting the field, and specific needs of faculty and administrators. Chapters discuss: growth of interest in aging and gerontology; growing awareness of the aging in higher education; the literature of gerontology education;…