Colorado:
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 Colorado, Colorado Springs (Department of Psychology)

Courses and specialized seminars offered: Psychology of Aging I; Psychology of Aging II; Clinical Geropsychology I; Clinical Geropsychology II; Neuropsychological Assessment; Psychopharmacology. Several other professional seminars (Proseminars) are available with aging content.

Number of faculty in AD&A: 11 full-time with primary or secondary interests in aging; 0 part-time.

Availability of assistantships in AD&A: Dependent on individual PI funded research.

Availability of postdoctoral opportunities in AD&A: Dependent on individual PI funded research.

Practicum and internship placements: The CU Aging Center is a geriatric mental health clinic located in the community, run by faculty and students in the Psychology department. Rotations include: Neuropsychological assessment, Memory clinic, Caregiver services program, Psychotherapy program, At-Home mental health services program and Integrated mental health services with primary care at Peak Vista Community Health Clinics.

Other relevant information and comments: Faculty research related to adult development and aging includes areas of specialization in cognition and memory, psychopathology, personality and personality disorders, clinical assessment and treatment, aging families, caregiving, social cognition and successful aging processes, trauma and later life, late-life depression, neuropsychological assessment of older adults, behavioral management of problem behaviors, behavioral medicine, and longitudinal methodologies. Our clinical psychology PhD program (emphasis on geropsychology) has been accredited by APA since 2007.

Contact:
Daniel L. Segal, PhD
Professor and Director of Clinical Training
Department of Psychology
Univ. of Colorado at Colorado Springs
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Telephone: (719) 255-4176
Fax: (719) 255-4166
Email
Website

Updated February 2014

Colorado State University (College of Natural Sciences, Department of Psychology)

Psychology specializations integrated with AD&A: Applied Social, Cognitive, Counseling, Industrial/Organizational, Cognitive Neuroscience.

Courses and specialized seminars offered: Cognitive Aging.

Number of faculty in AD&A: 9 full-time, 0 part-time.

Number of faculty affiliated to APA Div. 20: 9 APA Div. 20 members, 2 APA Div. 20 fellows.

Availability of assistantships in AD&A: Dependent on individual PI funded research.

Website

Availability of postdoctoral opportunities in AD&A: Dependent on individual PI funded research.

Practicum and internship placements: Counseling, Industrial/Organizational.

Other relevant information and comments: Faculty with aging interests include: Paul Bell, Silvia Canetto, Anne Cleary, Peter Chen, Deanna Davalos, Edward Delosh, David McCabe, Matthew Rhodes, Tammi Vacha-Haase.

The Psychology department is one of 11 departments at Colorado State University that participate in the Colorado State University Center on Aging. View more information for the Center on Aging.

Contact:
Tammi Vacha-Haase
Department of Psychology
Colorado State University
BSB
Fort Collins, CO 80524-1854
Telephone: (970) 491-5729
Fax: (970) 491-1032
Email

Updated February 2014

University of Denver (College of Education)

Psychology specializations integrated with AD&A: Counseling, School.

Courses and specialized seminars offered: Adult Development.

Number of faculty in AD&A: 1 full-time, 0 part-time.

Availability of assistantships in AD&A: Dependent on individual PI funded research.

Contact:
Cynthia McRae
Morgridge College of Education
University of Denver
Denver, CO 80208

Availability of postdoctoral opportunities in AD&A: None.

Practicum and internship placements: All counseling related — None are specifically for adult development and aging, although such opportunities are available.

Other relevant information and comments: None.

Contact:
Cynthia McRae
Morgridge College of Education
University of Denver
Denver, CO 80208
Telephone: (303) 871- 2475
Email
Website

Updated February 2014

Colorado State University (College of Health and Human Sciences, Department of Human Development and Family Studies)

Website

Number of faculty in AD&A: 5 full-time, 0 part-time.

Number of faculty affiliated to APA Div. 20: 3 APA Div. 20 members, 1 APA Div. 20 fellow.

Research interests of faculty:

Dr. Allison Bielak — Normal and pathological cognitive changes in adulthood; influence of lifestyle factors on cognitive aging; intraindividual variability in cognitive speed and how it relates to cognitive ability, health and possible dementia prediction; longitudinal research methods.

Dr. Agnieszka (Aga) Burzynska — Age-related changes in brain structure and function (Magnetic Resonance Imaging); brain-behavior relationships; cognitive and neural plasticity; lifestyle interventions to improve brain health and cognitive abilities; effects of physical activity and fitness on the aging brain and mind; maintaining brain health of the aging workforce.

Dr. Manfred Diehl — Awareness of age-related change and its role in successful aging; personality development in adulthood; experience and regulation of emotion in adulthood; developmental research methods.

Dr. Christine Fruhauf (Bubien) — Family gerontology; grandparent and grandchild relationships; grandparents raising grandchildren; GLBT grandparenting; family caregiving; young adult family caregivers; impact of service learning activities on undergraduate students' learning.

Dr. Gloria Luong — Stress and coping, emotion regulation and social relationship dynamics and their implications for health and well-being across adulthood; cultural variation in socioemotional development.

Courses and specialized seminars in AD&A for graduate students:

HDFS 613- Adult Development and Aging — Using the theoretical framework of life-span developmental psychology, this course reviews and discusses major conceptual approaches to the study of adult development in the domains of cognition, personality, and social-emotional functioning. Important empirical studies are reviewed and their strengths, limitations, and implications for theories of normative and successful adult development and aging are discussed.  The major learning objectives of this course are: (1) To gain an understanding of the major theoretical approaches in the field of adult development and aging; (2) to develop a critical appreciation for the existing psychological research; and (3) to foster critical reflection about recent advances and future directions in the field of adult development and aging.

HDFS 636 — Aging and the Family — The aging of the US population is significantly affecting the American family. The impact of aging on family systems has given rise to a new field of study termed “family gerontology.” HDFS 636 is a course on family gerontology in that it explores individual aging within the context of family systems. Topics addressed in the course include grandparenting, late-life sibling relationships, retirement, marriage (including divorce and remarriage), widowhood, and family care of the frail and dependent elderly individuals, particularly care of loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Further, we briefly explore ethical issues in aging and aging related public policy.

HDFS 600B — Advanced Studies: Grief and Loss Therapy — This course is designed to acquaint students with advanced theory, empirical research, and interventions in the area of bereavement, grief, and loss with special attention to contextual and systemic issues.  This course covers loss throughout the entire lifespan, including non-death loss such as substance abuse recovery, job loss, loss of youth, disabilities, chronic, critical, and terminal illness, and end of life decision making.

Courses and specialized seminars in AD&A for undergraduate students:

AHS 201: Perspectives in Gerontology — AHS 201 introduces the student to the field of gerontology from a variety of academic and applied perspectives. One of the ways students learn about older adults in this course is through a service learning project. Through this opportunity they are able to connect what they learned about older adults in previous coursework to real life situations. Faculty from different departments at Colorado State University as well as professionals and practitioners from the community deliver lectures describing how their particular discipline or profession is related to gerontology. International aging issues are addressed as global concerns continue to influence the practice of working with individuals. Selected videos and field trips augment the material learned in class, from readings, and from projects.

HDFS 312: Adults Development/Middle Age and Aging in Context — Using the life-span perspective, this course will introduce students to developmental issues and processes that occur across middle and older adulthood.  We will investigate developmental changes across multiple systems, including biological and physiological, cognitive, psychological, and social processes, and evaluate how adult development and aging impacts various contexts of life (e.g., work, family).  Basic concepts and methods for studying aging will be discussed.

HDFS 332: Death, Dying, & Grief — This course will explore topics relevant to death, dying, and grief including the loss of a child, parent, spouse, and other loved ones by natural causes (gradual or sudden), accident, homicide, or suicide.  Topics also include theories of coping and caring, moral issues, and funeral practices and rituals.

Availability of assistantships in AD&A for graduate students:

All students admitted to the Applied Developmental Science (ADS) doctoral program receive funding either in form of a research assistantship or a teaching assistantship.

Availability of assistantships in AD&A for undergraduate students:

Assistantships in AD & A for undergraduate students are available if grant funding permits. Students can also receive research credit for assisting in a faculty member's research lab. Undergraduate students also have the option to apply for scholarships in the College of Health and Human Sciences.

Availability of postdoctoral opportunities in AD&A: Dependent on grant funding.

Specializations: Since 1981, CSU has offered a Gerontology Interdisciplinary Minor (GIM) at the Undergraduate level. The 21-credit GIM helps students develop an understanding of the aging process, including the biological, psychological and social aspects of adult development and aging. Students are required to take courses from Food Science and Human Nutrition, HDFS, Health and Exercise Science, and Social Work. Further, students must complete at least a 3-credit internship or practicum working with older adults. The GIM is supported through funding from Columbine Health System who also provides scholarships to students.

Practicum and internship placements: HDFS students and GIM students complete practicum and internships at a variety of placements. These include: adult-day centers, long-term care facilities including assisted, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing, independent living communities and apartments for older adults, health and wellness programs, home care services, and senior centers.    

Other relevant information and comments:

Contact:

Deborah Fidler, PhD
313 Behavioral Sciences Building
1570 Campus Delivery
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1570
Phone: 970-491-7870
Fax: 970-491-7975
Email 

Updated September 2015