New master's degree designed to meet health care needs of aging populations

A new master’s program through University of Arizona Health Sciences International and Arizona Online aims to develop a workforce to address the challenges faced by aging populations in Arizona and around the world.

Designed for students and professionals, the Master of Science in Innovations in Aging will prepare an emerging generation of healthcare and other professionals to meet the needs of an increasingly aging population. The World Health Organization estimates 1 in 6 people globally will be aged 60 or older by 2030 and the number of people aged 80 or older will triple between 2020 and 2050. In Arizona, 1.5 million residents are over the age of 60 and nearly 1 in 4 are 65 or older.

“This novel online program aligns with the University of Arizona Health Sciences’ strategic vision to expand online academic offerings to educate the next generation of health professionals at home and globally,” said Carol Gregorio, PhD, interim director for UArizona Health Sciences International and head of the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson.

The Master of Science in Innovations in Aging prepares students to improve the lives of older adults through enhanced knowledge, expanded research and interdisciplinary collaboration. Graduates will be eligible to apply for professional certification through the National Association of Professional Gerontologists.

“Demand for professionals specializing in aging within and outside health care is higher than ever,” said Jeannie K. Lee, PharmD, associate professor at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy and member of the Innovations in Aging executive committee. “Our master’s program was designed by an interdisciplinary team of professionals who specialize in aging and are passionate about sharing knowledge and skills with people from all industries to support older adults where they are.”

Increasing diversity in the workforce is an essential goal of the master’s program. Research suggests that American Indian/Native American, African American and Latino people are severely underrepresented in aging-related fields. At the same time, many of these diverse aging populations are growing faster than non-Hispanic white populations.

“Educating younger individuals about aging of all persons and meeting the challenges and opportunities of aging moves us one step closer to improving the health and well-being for all,” said Linda R. Phillips, PhD, RN, professor at the College of Medicine – Tucson and chair of Innovations in Aging graduate interdisciplinary programs. 

The Master of Science in Innovations in Aging builds on a graduate certificate that was offered for the first time in 2021. The first students begin the two-year master’s program in Fall 2023. The degree program is open to students with at least a bachelor’s degree in any discipline or graduate status and is offered globally through Arizona Online.