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Kentucky:
Graduate studies in the psychology of adult development and aging

Following are data on academic programs in the state that provide a specialization in adult development and aging. Data include titles of courses and seminars offered number of faculty with a specialization in adult development and aging, psychology specializations integrated with the study of adult development and aging, administrative organization of the program, availability of assistantships and traineeships in the program, practicum and internship placement opportunities and web addresses and contact persons for the program.

University of Kentucky (Program in Gerontology)

Specializations Integrated with AD & A:

  • Cognitive Psychology

  • Developmental Psychology

  • Social Psychology, GRN 600: A Study of the Older Person

  • GRN 620: Human Aging and Adjustment

  • GRN 650: Research Methods in Gerontology

  • GRN 770: Psychology and Aging

  • GRN 770: Alzheimer's Disease: From Cell to Society

  • GRN 770: Longitudinal Methods in Adult Development and Aging

  • BSC 770: Psychosocial Issues in Aging and Health

  • GRN 585: Aging and the Environment

  • GRN 785: Research in Gerontology

  • GRN 715: Health Policy and Aging

  • GRN 770: Epidemiology of Aging

  • GRN 770: Aging and the Life Course

Number of Faculty in AD & A: 36 Full Time

Availability of Assistantships in AD & A: All incoming graduate students are fully funded for 4 years. Stipends are at the NIA predoctoral rate (i.e., $16,500 for the 2001-2002 academic year). Tuition is fully paid. Research and teaching assistantships are selected independently by the student upon admission to the program.

Availability of Postdoctoral Opportunities in AD & A: Postdoctoral opportunities in AD&A are through the Behavioral Science program at the University of Kentucky, via an NIMH grant. Areas of specialization include cognitive aging, developmental psychology, family caregiving, long-term care and health disparities. 

Practicum and Internship Placements: Internship placements for interested clinical psychologists are generally available through the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.
 
The Ph.D. Program also includes an experiential learning component that supplements course and research curriculum. 

Examples of placements include:

  • Division of Aging Services, Cabinet for Human Resources, Frankfort

  • Christian Health Center (teaching nursing home), Lexington

  • Helping Hand Alzheimer's Day Care Program, Lexington

  • Memory Disorders Clinic, Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, Lexington

  • Senior Support Services, Bath County Primary Care Center, Morehead

  • University of Kentucky Center for Rural Health, Hazard

  • Center for Creative Living Adult Day Health Care, Nicholasville

  • Alzheimer's Association, Lexington/Bluegrass Chapter

  • St. Claire Medical Center, Morehead

  • Dept. of Social Services, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government

  • Public Health Department, Lexington

  • Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital, Lexington

  • Geriatric Services, VA Medical Center, Lexington

  • Western Kentucky University Adult Day Care Center, Bowling Green

  • Geriatric Clinics, Division of General Medicine and Geriatrics,

  • University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington

Other Relevant Information and Comments:
The Ph.D. Program at the University of Kentucky is unique in terms of academic and professional resources. Strategically located in the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging (nationally recognized for its research on Alzheimer's disease and senescence), the University of Kentucky's PD Program in Gerontology was approved by the Council on Higher Education in 1996.  The program is only one of five Ph.D. Programs in gerontology in the U.S. and is the first to focus specifically on aging and health. The goal of the program is to provide advanced interdisciplinary training in gerontology with an emphasis on aging and health. Students in the program develop an understanding of the full spectrum of topics that concern both the process of aging and the health and well-being of the older population; special academic and research opportunities exist in cognition and aging, long-term care, health service delivery and biomedical aspects of aging. The course of study is rigorous, yet flexible and individually tailored to meet the specific needs of the student. The 36 Ph.D. program faculty members hold academic appointments in 22 departments across the University.

All accepted students receive a 12-month fellowship that pays for tuition.  All students are provided with their own computer and office space.

Contact:
Joe Gaugler, Ph.D.
Assistant professor
Telephone: (859) 257-1412 ext. 333
Email 
Website

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