Management of Aging Services

Faculty

View faculty details

Chair

Judah Ronch

Dean

J. Kevin Eckert

Professors

Karen Freiberg

Affiliate Faculty

Andrew Sears
David Yager

Courses in this program are listed under AGNG.

The Erickson School offers a unique interdisciplinary undergraduate major that prepares individuals for entry-level
careers in non-profit, public and private-sector organizations that address the ongoing revolution in the age structure of society. The major blends knowledge about gerontology, public policy and management with skills that include communication, accounting/budgeting, computer literacy, critical thinking, human resources, leadership and management of organizations. This combined knowledge base positions graduates to work in a wide array of professional careers, as well as provides a strong foundation for additional education or training in a range of fields, including policy, management, law, human services and entrepreneurship.

Students can customize the major in several ways. First, students may choose three of their core offerings, and may select from elective courses to build specialized expertise in an area of special interest.

Independent study courses, designed in coordination with a faculty member, and an array of special topics courses intended to address emerging issues in the areas of policy, practice and research provide both up-to-date knowledge and opportunities for specialization. Students can also apply for consideration to work with faculty as undergraduate research assistants. In addition, the practice experience provided in an advanced internship, described in detail below, extends both career-related experience and specialized knowledge. Through these means, students may focus their careers toward the public/governmental/policy sector, toward the non-profit/advocacy sector or toward the private/business sector.

Career and Academic Paths

Graduates in management of aging services have a wide range of career options. Potential settings include:

For-profit businesses focusing on marketing, housing/real estate, financial services, technology and travel/leisure

Non-profit organizations engaged in health promotion, education, emergency preparedness and legal advocacy
Public sector institutions at the federal, state or local level involved in policy analysis, development and management.

Positions could include planner for a corporate retirement program, product development specialist, manager of a senior volunteer program, activities director at a senior living community, policy advocate, or a legislative staff person to a state or federal committee. More opportunities are likely to arise as the population continues to age.

The Faculty

The faculty in the Erickson School is an expanding, interdisciplinary group of scholars who are dedicated to quality classroom experiences and cutting-edge research. Building upon an existing cadre of UMBC faculty in multiple departments who conduct research and offer courses in our curriculum, Erickson School faculty hold joint appointments in another academic department, publish books and articles in leading scholarly journals in a wide variety of fields, and teach regularly in beginning and advanced courses. Faculty bring their research expertise in contemporary issues to the classroom and use the expertise of practitioners in the classroom and case-based educational approaches to explore challenges/opportunities presented in the aging services sector. The Erickson School’s strong commitment to quality teaching is furthered by serious attention to the results of faculty, course and program evaluation processes.

Academic Advising

All students enrolled in the major of management of aging services are assigned to an academic advisor to craft a plan to achieve success in their major requirements and in their general university requirements. The academic team for the undergraduate program supports students to maximize their success in the program and at UMBC. Specific advising with regard to internship is integrated into this process (see below). Students interested in majoring in management of aging services, including those transferring from other four-year schools or from community colleges, should
contact the Erickson School at 443-543-5622 to initiate advising.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree

The aim of this degree is to prepare students for entry-level professional positions in management of aging services. The undergraduate major is built upon UMBC’s liberal arts foundation and provides a strong knowledge base in human aging; understanding of regulatory/policy/fiscal issues involved in aging service provision; and fundamental management skills (i.e., accounting, human resources, critical thinking and negotiation). For this major, students must complete 51 credits, including a 42-credit interdisciplinary core and nine credits of electives in two areas.

Core courses:

ECON 121
Principles ofAccounting I [3]

ECAD 210
The Practice of Management [3]
OR
POLI 250
Introduction to Public Administration [3]

SPCH 210
Interpersonal Communication [3]
OR
SPCH 220
Small-Group Communication [3]

AGNG 200
The Experience of Aging [3]
IS 295
Introduction to Applications Programming [3]
AGNG 300
Overview of Aging Services in the U.S. [3]

ECAD 310
Human Resource Management
OR
ECAD 489
Seminar in Management and Administration [3]

AGNG 401
Foundations of Aging Services [3]
AGNG 422
Research Applications in Aging Services [3]
HAPP 498
Financial Management and Decision Support for Health Services Organizations [3]
AGNG 440
Diversity in Aging Services [3]
AGNG 460
Internship in Aging Services [5]
AGNG 461
Internship Seminar in Aging Services [1]
AGNG 470
Capstone in Aging Services [3]
AGNG 497
Supplemental Practicum in Aging Services [3]

The following are additional requirements for completion of the management of aging services Major:

1) Completion of two content and one additional skill elective (9 credits total) from a list of approved courses (available on the Erickson School Web site).
2) Grades of “C” or better in all major courses.
3) Completion of all of the general university and other degree requirements.
4) Successful completion of the internship and associated internship seminar, as described below.

Internship Requirement

All students must complete a one-semester internship and a simultaneous one-credit internship seminar course (AGNG 460 and AGNG 461). The internship requires 14-20 hours a week for the duration of the semester, and detailed requirements are outlined elsewhere. Enrollment in the internship takes place when students achieve junior status “in good standing” in the university and have successfully completed at least 15 credits of the required courses (core or elective) with a grade point average of 2.5 or better. The processes to apply for the internship and the rules governing it are detailed in the Erickson School’s Internship Program Manual. The timetable for application begins a full semester (at minimum) prior to the initiation of the internship semester; a timetable is outlined in the manual. The Erickson School has developed multiple internship opportunities with private industry, governmental agencies and non-profit organizations that reflect the varied careers available to students. The purposes of the internship are:

Testing students presumed career path for “fit”
Applying classroom skills and knowledge to real circumstances and constraints
Engaging with older adults, professionals, regulators and policy-makers
Honing skills and performance with supervision and feedback.

Oversight of the internship will be guided by an on-site supervisor in the host setting for the internship and through the UMBC faculty member supervising the related seminar class. Students should be proactive in contacting their advisors when they plan to pursue the internship to begin the process and receive the manual.

Requirements for the Management of Aging Services Minor

Students interested in a minor program to combine with a wide range of academic
majors may undertake a 21 credit hour minor program with the following requirements:

Core: 15 credits

AGNG 200, AGNG 300, AGNG 401, AGNG 422 and AGNG 440

Electives: 6 credits

Two courses selected from the approved content electives list for the major
Please visit the Erickson School website for the list of approved electives.
All courses in the Minor must be completed with a grade of “C” or better

Special Opportunities

The Erickson School provides students with enrichment activities that include student-focused programs, distinguished outside speakers, and opportunities to hear from researchers and practitioners who are “up to the minute” on relevant topics and innovations in policy and practice. The Erickson School offers special scholarships and financial awards to students majoring in the program.

Internships provide students the opportunity to get practical experience and to apply their experience in a capstone course, including development of a career dossier. Career placement services through the Erickson School provide pathways to career opportunities for seniors approaching graduation. Events and new program developments are posted on our Web site, as are exciting opportunities to participate in research, student organizations and other relevant activities.