[Post-graduate gerontology training in Spain: Number, characteristics, and contents taught in master courses].
BACKGROUND
Population aging raises the need for specialised professionals to address the needs of the elderly. The aim of this paper is to describe the number, characteristics, and contents of the Master degree courses that are currently offered in Spain.


METHODS
There were 32 Master degree courses offered in the 2014-15 academic year. These required at least 60 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). At least half of the course credits were based on contents directly related to old age, older people, or aging. An analysis was made that included, information on the institutional affiliation, official status, academic structure, and contents taught. A content analysis was performed on curriculum subjects, in order to classify the courses into multidisciplinary or specialised (with focus either on health, behavioural, or social sciences).


RESULTS
Most of the courses required mandatory class attendance, and lasted one academic year (60 ECTS). They also included the completion of a final project and a practicum. The majority (59%) of Master degree courses were classified as multidisciplinary. Of the remaining ones, 19% were labelled as specialised in behavioural sciences, 16% in health sciences, and 2% in social sciences.


CONCLUSIONS
The field of higher education in gerontology in Spain seems to be consolidated, taking into account indicators such as the number of courses offered, their territorial distribution, or the number of official Master degree courses. While the academic structure of the courses is quite similar, in contrast, their contents and nature are highly diverse, which responds to the different training needs.
Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: fvillar@ub.edu.
Feliciano
F
Villar
Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata IPSIBAT, UNMDP-CONICET, Mar del Plata, Argentina.
María Florencia
MF
Giuliani
Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
Rodrigo
R
Serrat
D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education*; D013030:Spain
Education; Formación; Gerontology; Gerontología; Posgrado; Postgraduate programs