title: Expanding access to gerontological education via distance learning: the Management of Aging Services Masters Program at UMass Boston.
abstract: This article describes the online Management of Aging Services Masters Program at the University of Massachusetts Boston and reports on a recent Program review. The Program has experienced rapid growth, evolving from seven matriculating students in 2003 to 108 in 2012. It has graduated 125 students and boasts a 78% completion rate. The authors describe the Program and report on faculty and student perceptions of performance. The Program demonstrates sound pedagogical practice for online education, incorporating techniques to foster community and encourage students and faculty interaction. Distance learning holds considerable promise for expanding access to gerontological education to reach future aging services professionals.
authors.affiliation: a Gerontology Department , University of Massachusetts Boston , Boston , Massachusetts , USA.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nadash
authors.forename: Edward Alan
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Frank W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Porell
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Birchander
authors.forename: Lillian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Glickman
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Burr
mesh_terms: D001900:Boston; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000379:methods*; D004500:Education, Graduate; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation
keywords: aging; distance learning; gerontology; higher education; online education