As the baby boom generation ages, expertise in gerontology is as vital as ever. Now is the time to pursue one of the following 5 Best PhDs in Gerontology.
Today, individuals are living—and thriving—longer than ever before. This is due to various factors, including biological, cultural, psychological, and sociological factors. These fields and more are integrated into the interdisciplinary study of gerontology, or aging across the life course. The lengthening lifespan is also down to the developing and advancing understanding of how to adequately meet the needs of aging populations. A doctoral degree in Gerontology builds this knowledge, allowing graduates to make significant research contributions to both the field and to aging society at large.
As with all doctoral degrees, the following programs are research-intensive and primarily structured around the completion of an original doctoral dissertation. Doctoral candidates may research areas such as cognition, disease prevention, finances, and retirement. According to the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Gerontology alumni go on to pursue careers in areas including academia, government, science and social services, and urban planning.
Doctoral degree holders, in particular, are likely to move into research-based roles, such as scientific work in health care settings or social services consulting. Advanced degrees can lead to excellent career prospects, such as leadership roles in gerontology practice. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers earned an average salary of $99,730 in 2018.
The demand for gerontology services is undergoing a predicted maturity rate of 20 percent, which is much swifter than the normal rate across all industries. As the large baby boom generation ages and remains active later in life, there is likely to be a significant increase in the demand for health care services. The size and diversity of today's elderly population provide ample opportunities for research that may enhance our ability to care for older populations for generations to come.
Methodology
The staff of Grad School Hub has compiled the following 5 Best PhDs in Gerontology for the 2019-20 academic school year based on public data released from educational, commercial, and government databases. Data contributed from sources such as the National Center for Education Statistics, and the U.S. Department of Labor plays a significant role in how graduate degree programs are ranked because institutional transparency is essential for deciding which career path is right for you. Based on this data, GSH organizes information into five weighted categories, which are:
Alumni Feedback: 20%
Continued Enrollment: 20%
Degree Selectivity: 10%
Graduate Expenses: 25%
Projected Annual Salary: 25%
A more comprehensive evaluation of how each category is determined and scored is accessible through ourRanking Methodology page.
Explore these promoted online degree programs.
These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Master's or PhD programs.
