M.A. in Adult Development and Aging

New career options - Serve people who are age 50 and beyond

Many people will live nearly a quarter of their lives in active retirement due to improved health and life expectancy. Become equipped to respond to the evolving challenges of aging by imagining, creating, and implementing new ways of serving people at this time in their lives.

Learn to support, educate, and catalyze persons who are age 50 and beyond for service and generativity (investing in others and future generations).
Work together with them to create intergenerational communities that embody principles of justice, fairness, and continued learning and growth.
Develop holistic approaches to long-term care, which will continue to be an important social, political, and economic reality.
Courses incorporate professionals and programs that provide exemplary and creative service in the field of aging.

Adult development and aging are multifaceted

Physical, psychological, relational, financial, and spiritual dimensions are affected by changes that occur during and after midlife.
Cultural, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic level all influence the experience of aging.

Help transform this rapidly changing aspect of our culture

Serve people over 50 and their families
Help them identify new areas of vocation and identity
Develop programs of study and service for individuals in active retirement
Provide leadership to programs, institutions, agencies, congregations
Provide ongoing training to professionals involved with people over 50 and their families
Influence development of social policies that recognize and honor aging persons
Conduct theoretically grounded, practically relevant research
Respond with integrity and compassion to ethical challenges

Ideal learners:

In-career adults who want to pursue a career in the expanding fields related to adult development and aging
People in serving professions who would like to add competence and specialization in adult development and aging
Professionals working in the field of adult development and aging who want to deepen and expand their capacities
Individuals who thrive in an interdisciplinary program

Complete your M.A. in Adult Development and Aging

36 semester credits
Register once for the entire program
You will demonstrate mastery through written assignments, projects, presentations, class interaction, small group work, and practicums

Schedule designed for busy, in-career adults

Take 1 course at a time
Complete the course work in approximately 2 years with a short break during the summer
Choose one of the following options for completing your course work:
- Option 1: All courses meet face-to-face, 1 evening a week
- Option 2: Courses are offered in a blended format, with the first and last course meeting face-to-face and the remainder of the courses online

Help older adults lead more productive lives.

Meet on Bethel's campus (near the intersection of 35W and 694)
Park for free