MS/MBA Program First of Its Kind in the State
The Gerontology Program and the Bryan School of Business and Economics launched a new MS in Gerontology/MBA in fall 2005.
“This new, 57-hour dual degree is the
first program of its kind in
The baby boomers, who are now retiring,
will be the largest and most affluent group of retirees in American history.
According to the U.S. Census Department, the number of those aged 65 or
older in
This population increase means an increased demand for those who can care for this population. According to a study by the US Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 6.5 million long-term care workers will be required nationally by 2050 to serve the needs of an aging population. The American Health Care Association estimates that there is an immediate need for some 100,000 health care professionals across the nation.
The new MS in Gerontology/MBA program will help meet that need by training students in both gerontology and business administration. The result will be graduates who are not only capable of filling upper-level administrative and health care positions, but also business-related positions that cater to what is expected to be a healthy, vibrant and active group of retirees. These graduates will assist businesses in addressing this growing segment of the marketplace – from positions in banking and financial management to positions in marketing, human resources development and insurance.
“Students enrolled in the program will
bring the multidisciplinary gerontology perspectives of population aging,
individual aging and family aging into MBA class discussions – and will
simultaneously bring the principles of economics, finance, accounting and
management to their gerontology classes. This approach will prepare these
students for the new future of aging baby boomers with unique tastes and
demands,” said Dr. Janice Wassel, director of the gerontology program. “This
new program is not only innovative and unique for
Guiding the program’s development will
be a national advisory board made up of some of the nation’s foremost experts
in this area. Board members include Dr. Harry “Rick” Moody, of AARP in
The program will require 57 credit-hours of course work in both gerontology and the MBA program.
For more information, call Wassel at (336) 256-1020 or Balbirer at (336) 334-4531 or visit http://www.uncg.edu/grs/bulletin/gerontology.html#MSMBA.
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