Illinois:
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.

Northeastern Illinois University (Department of Psychology)

Courses and Specialized Seminars Offered:

A. Core Courses: The Core Curriculum is comprised of seven required courses (21 credits). These courses are meant to acquaint students with the scholarly literature concerning gerontological issues and methods. Each core course and many elective courses introduce students to research concepts and methodological approaches in order to prepare them for their own thesis work. All are designed to help students develop the skills necessary to: formulate research questions, gather and evaluate data and synthesize and present the findings, understand the relationship between questions and methods, critically read and analyze the research findings of others, undertake needs assessments and program evaluations and, write 6th edition APA style academic papers.

These seven courses provide the broad base of knowledge needed by all practitioners and scholars in the field of gerontology. Descriptions of these courses can be found in the university catalog: PSYC-AGED 401 Gerontology: An Overview, PSYC-AGED 402 Developmental Processes in Later Life, PSYC-AGED 408 Research Methods in Gerontology, PSYC-AGED 403 Physiology of Aging, PSYC-AGED 418 Public Policy and Aging, PSYC-AGED 426 Values, Decision-making and the Elderly, PSYC-AGED 420 Seminar in Proposal Writing

B. Elective Courses: In this part of the curriculum students can concentrate in a particular area. Working with their advisor, they may select a group of related electives (specialization options) that will meet their individual interests.

Those elective courses offered within the department have content directly relevant to aging and the aged. These include: PSYC-AGED 406 Aging and the Family, PSYC-AGED 412 Psychopathology and Aging, PSYC-AGED 414 Psychotherapy of the Elderly, PSYC-AGED 424 Independent Study in Gerontology, PSYC-AGED 428 Aging and Cultural Diversity in the United States, PSYC-AGED 432 Meanings of Old Age, PSYC-AGED 434 Aging Services Network, PSYC-AGED 455 Advanced Topics in Aging

Electives in other departments, while not designed specifically for gerontology students, offer the opportunity to relate gerontology knowledge, skills and values to the particular subject area being taught.

Number of Faculty in AD&A: 2 Full Time, 3-4 Part Time

Number of Faculty who are Division 20 members: 1

Number of Division 20 Fellows: 0

Availability of Assistantships in AD&A: N/A

Availability of Postdoctoral Opportunities in AD&A:

Practicum and Internship Placements: The Experiential Courses

1. Practicum in Gerontology (PSYC-AGED 415) For students who come into the program with no prior documented experience (either paid or volunteer) in working directly with the aged, a supervised practicum is required; for others it is an available elective. This course includes a minimum of 120 supervised clock hours of experience. A practicum serves to introduce the student to one aspect of gerontological practice primarily through observing and assisting staff at the placement site.
   
   Students must complete at least PSYC-AGED 402 before they may enroll in the practicum. If you think you may be exempt from completing the Practicum, you must schedule a meeting with the Coordinator of Graduate Field Experience in order to review the nature of your prior experience. You must be able to provide documentation of your prior experience. Prior experience may include volunteer work that involved significant and regular responsibilities.
2. Internship in Gerontology (PSYC-AGED 416) All students in the program must complete an internship course (PSYC-AGED 416) including a minimum of 120 supervised clock hours of experience in an area that differs from the one in which they have had prior work experience or have taken their practicum. The intent of this experience is to broaden and diversify a student's professional exposure to the field. As with the practicum, internship opportunities are arranged to complement the focus area of the student's specialization option. An internship allows a student to take a more active role in the field experience (e.g., by designing or implementing a small project under supervision).
   
   Students must have completed PSYC-AGED 408. In addition they must have completed PSYC-AGED 415 (Practicum) or have entered the program with prior professional or volunteer work experience before an internship can be arranged.

Other Relevant Information and Comments: There are two new changes to the graduate gerontology program since last year. Students can now take a comprehensive exam in lieu of doing a thesis. In addition, there is a new 12-credit hour gerontology certificate for post-baccalaureate students who would like training in gerontology within one academic year (Fall-Spring).

The mission of the Gerontology Program at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) is to contribute to the quality of life of older citizens through education, research and community service. To that end, the program seeks to train practitioners through a broad education in the history, characteristics and circumstances of this older population and prepare them to make a contribution to direct service, advocacy and research. As such, this program is appropriate for individuals working in the field, for those seeking professional level entry into the field and also for those whose interest is in studying aging for their own academic or personal growth.

Contact:
Lisa Hollis-Sawyer, PhD
Psychology, MA in Gerontology Program
Northeastern Illinois University
Brommel Building, BBH-307E, 5500 N. St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
Telephone: (773) 442-5846
Email
Website

Updated February 2014

Northwestern University (Department of Psychology; Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences)

Courses and Specialized Seminars Offered: Applied Gerontology

Contact:
Dr. Dan Mroczek
Clinical Psychology, Personality Psychology
Swift Hall 102
2029 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208-2710
Department Telephone: (847) 491-5190
Department Fax: (847) 491-7859
Email
Website

Updated February 2014

Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Department of Psychology)

Psychology Specializations Integrated with AD&A: Clinical

Courses and Specialized Seminars Offered: Lifespan II, Psychology and Aging

Number of Faculty in AD&A: 2 Full Time, 2 Part Time

Availability of Assistantships in AD&A: None

Availability of Postdoctoral Opportunities in AD&A: None

Practicum and Internship Placements: Hospitals and private practices with major nursing home components, CMHC’s, College Counseling Centers, Outpatient Medical Centers, Schools

Other Relevant Information and Comments: None

Contact: None
Website 

University of Illinois — Urbana/Champaign (Department of Psychology)

Psychology Specializations Integrated with AD&A: Cognitive, Social, Developmental, Neuroscience, Biological

Courses and Specialized Seminars Offered: Cognition and Aging, Biology of Human Aging, Introduction to Aging,  Leisure and Aging, Psychology of Aging, Physical Activity and Aging, Gerontology, Sociology of Aging

Number of Faculty in AD&A: 3 Full Time, 4 Part Time

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

Contact:
Dr. Art Kramer 
Telephone: (217) 244-1933 
Email
 
Availability of Postdoctoral Opportunities in AD&A: Dependent on individual PI funded research

Contact:
Dr. Art Kramer
Telephone: (217) 244-1933
Email

Practicum and Internship Placements: None

Other Relevant Information and Comments: The department of Psychology has ongoing multidisciplinary research on aging: includes behavioral research, imaging, (fMRI) and ERP research. A minor in gerontology is also available.

The university has an office of Gerontology/Aging Studies which: supports aging research, facilitates communication about aging issues across the university, supports undergraduate and graduate instruction in gerontology, supports collaborative aging activities between the university, community and state and external organizations. Director: William Dr. Gingold Telephone: (217) 333-6933.

Contact:
Arthur F. Kramer, PhD
Department of Psychology
University of Illinois — Urbana/Champaign
603 E. Daniel Street
Champiagn, IL  61820
Telephone: (217) 333-9532
Email 
Website

Southern Illinois University (Department of Psychology)

Psychology Specializations Integrated with AD&A: Experimental, Cognitive Science

Courses and Specialized Seminars Offered: Aging, Memory and Cognition, Cognitive Neuropsychology and Aging

Number of Faculty in AD&A: 1 Full Time, 0 Part Time

Availability of Assistantships in AD&A: Dependent on individual PI funded research 
 
Availability of Postdoctoral Opportunities in AD&A: None 

Practicum and Internship Placements: None

Other Relevant Information and Comments: Due to position openings/retirements, our experimental program is undergoing some changes this summer. The new area will be cognitive science (or similar label) with specializations in cognitive, developmental and neuropsychology.

Contact:
Stephanie Clancy Dollinger
Department of Psychology
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL  62901-6502
Telephone: (618) 453-3524
Email
Website