The Accreditation of Gerontology
Preparing graduates to shape the future of aging with expertise and compassion

The Master of Science (MS) in Gerontology program, housed within the College of Nursing, has earned its first accreditation from the Accreditation for Gerontology Education Council (AGEC), the only accrediting body for gerontology degree programs. The MS in Gerontology program joins an elite group of only six accredited programs worldwide. This milestone recognizes the program’s dedication and success in preparing leaders who will shape the future of aging research, education, policy, and advocacy—improving health, independence, and quality of life for people at every stage of life.
Gerontology is the study of aging and the behavioral, social, psychological and physiological factors that influence individuals, families, communities, and societies. Gerontology views aging across the lifespan as a dynamic yet continuous process, recognizing how each stage brings new challenges and opportunities for personal growth.
Why Accreditation Matters
AGEC accreditation endorses the MS in Gerontology program. It officially recognizes the curricular excellence of the MS in Gerontology and its fulfilling of foundational, interactional, and contextual competencies across fields of gerontology. These include frameworks for understanding human aging, research and critical thinking, ethics and professional standards, and interdisciplinary and community collaboration, among others.
Accreditation assures the quality and continuous improvement of gerontology programs by establishing and applying standards for competent professionals. Further, it benefits the public by promoting quality of life, health, and safety. It assures employers that graduates possess essential skills and offers students confidence in program quality. Accreditation serves as a mechanism to prepare a competent workforce in the field of aging to meet increasing societal needs.
“We are grateful to the AGEC Board of Governors and the Review Team site visitors for their dedication and time in assessing our program,” said Katarina Friberg-Felsted, PhD, MS, FAGHE, FGSA, Assistant Dean of Gerontology. “Receiving unanimous accreditation without conditions affirms the program’s strengths, including exceptional faculty, outstanding graduates, excellent students, and dedicated administrative support; strong collaboration across the University and community; and robust resources that advance faculty and student research.”
This recognition also affirms the program’s commitment to rigorous academic standards, a comprehensive interdisciplinary curriculum, and a forward- thinking approach to aging studies.
Preparing Gerontologists for the Workforce
Gerontology prepares leaders to meet the needs of an aging society with advocacy, innovation, and expertise. The number of people aged 65 or older worldwide is projected to more than double from 761 million in 2021 to 1.6 billion in 2050. The population aged 80 or older is growing even faster and is expected to triple in the same period. Aging happens everywhere, and gerontological education is a necessity.
Gerontology graduates work in a variety of positions and careers, such as administration, education, innovation, policy, and services. Our graduates are leaders in city, county, and state government settings, health care delivery professionals, faculty in higher education, entrepreneurs, and managers in aging services. Researchers and research analysts in gerontology are often trained in areas such as physiology, social science, psychology, nursing, public health, and policy.
“Accreditation validates years of our faculty and staff’s dedicated work to develop a graduate program that empowers future leaders in the field of aging through knowledge, evidence, and competencies, enabling them to spearhead innovation and excellence in their careers,” said dean of the College of Nursing, Marla De Jong, PhD, RN, CCNS, FAAN. “As the population ages, the need for interdisciplinary professionals with specialized education in the field of aging grows exponentially, with the critical need to improve health span and quality of life.”
The MS in Gerontology program prepares graduates to address the opportunities and complexities of aging through a multidimensional curriculum that is accessible, flexible, and tailored to student needs. Open to students from all academic disciplines and professions, the program is fully online, making it well-suited for working professionals, those living anywhere in the United States, or anyone seeking a high- quality graduate education with the flexibility to balance other commitments.
Through the program, students develop deep expertise in the social, psychological, and physiological dimensions of aging. They explore major theories and research approaches, topics such as health promotion, caregiving, geroscience, aging and the arts, foundations of long term care, palliative and end of life care, and the complex connections of social determinants of health across the life course.
Moving Forward
With the support of university and community collaborators, the program is well positioned to prepare future leaders to meet the evolving needs of an aging society with innovation, expertise, and compassion. This new accreditation marks more than a milestone; it is a seal of approval of the MS in Gerontology program’s goals, objectives, learning outcomes, and curriculum.
With this increased visibility, the MS in Gerontology program is poised to fill the need for gerontological education and research across campus. The MS in Gerontology is endorsing opportunities to formally collaborate in creating course and degree offerings with other fields and disciplines across campus, including education and social work. Producing new generations of gerontology leaders, this program, college, and university are contributing to a future where longer lives also mean healthier, more fulfilling ones.
LEARN MORE ABOUT GERONTOLOGY AT THE COLLEGE OF NURSING
Learn more about the program and how it prepares professionals to understand lifespan transitions, address societal challenges, and lead in the field of gerontology. Visit nursing.utah.edu/programs/ gerontology.