What Skills Will You Gain from a VCU Gerontology Master’s Degree?
The VCU Gerontology M.S. program prepares graduates for high-impact, satisfying careers in aging services, health care leadership, community development, and policy. This flexible, learner-centered 30-credit program, typically completed in two years, delivers in-demand skills that align directly with today’s real-world job requirements.
Students in the program develop:
- Collaborative Leadership & Professional Ethics
You’ll learn to lead with integrity, navigate complex ethical issues, and work effectively across teams and systems. - Clear and Impactful Communication
Through presentations, writing assignments, and public engagement, students master oral and written communication, public speaking, negotiation, and interpersonal effectiveness. - Time and Project Management
The curriculum strengthens your ability to manage diverse responsibilities, coordinate events, plan outreach, and meet deadlines in professional environments. - Strategic Planning and Systems Thinking
You’ll be trained to analyze data, interpret policies and regulations, and design programs that improve long-term services and supports for older adults. - Budgeting, Reporting, and Policy Interpretation
Coursework and applied projects emphasize financial planning, report writing, and understanding regulatory frameworks at local, state, and national levels. - Community Engagement and Advocacy
Learn to incorporate community input into planning and outreach efforts, organize events, and engage in advocacy for age-inclusive, equity-centered services. - Workforce Development Expertise
Build knowledge of direct care workforce challenges and gain familiarity with workforce policy and initiatives across the country. - Advanced Analytical and Problem-Solving Abilities
Graduates are equipped to evaluate complex issues, synthesize research, and draw valid conclusions that inform practice and innovation.
This degree is more than a credential—it’s a direct pathway to well paying and secure leadership roles in aging services, public health, nonprofit management, health care systems, and beyond.