Admission & Program Requirements

This program requires the completion of 3.5 units of coursework and a 1.5 unit thesis.

Admission Requirements

Students will normally have completed a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited university in a social science area (e.g., psychology, sociology, family science, aging/gerontology, child and youth study, social work, education) with a minimum of a B average (GPA 3.0). Undergraduate courses in statistics, research methods and at least five courses (2.5 units) in family science or aging/gerontology are required by all applicants. Where there are deficiencies, students may be required to complete additional undergraduate and/or graduate coursework and obtain a minimum of B in these courses prior to acceptance.

Applicants must complete the Graduate Studies Application Package available online at msvu.ca/applyonline by February 15 for fall admission. Applicants are required to submit a sample of writing that demonstrates their research potential as a graduate student in the Department of Aging and Family Science.

Program Requirements

Required Courses (4.0 units)
❏ GAFS 6606 0.5 unit
❏ GEPY 6608 or GEDU 6107 or GAHN 6675 0.5 unit
❏ GAFS 6609 or GAFS 6612* 0.5 unit
❏ GAFS 6613 0.5 unit
❏ GAFS 6633 0.5 unit
❏ GAFS 6691 1.5 units

Electives (1.0 unit)
❏ 0.5 unit of electives selected from the following:
GAFS 6610 0.5 unit
GAFS 6611 0.5 unit
GAFS 6614 0.5 unit
GAFS 6616 0.5 unit
GAFS 6644 0.5 unit
GAFS 6650 0.5 unit
GAFS 6658 0.5 unit
GAFS 6735 0.5 unit

❏ 0.5 unit of graduate level elective

*If GAFS 6609 is chosen as a required course, GAFS 6612 may be taken as an elective, and vice versa.

Note: Electives may be selected from GAFS courses and courses from other departments at MSVU or other universities. Students are encouraged to make their elective selection in consultation with their academic advisor. Students wishing to take coursework at another university must comply with Mount Saint Vincent University regulations regarding transfer of credit and obtain the necessary Letter of Permission (LOP).

Contemporary families and an aging population present practitioners and policy makers with challenges that require innovative programs, services, and policies. The Master’s in Aging and Family Science is a professional degree aimed at individuals who require broad-based professional knowledge in the fields of practice associated with family science and/or aging.

This program requires the completion of 2.0 units of required courses, 1.0 unit of coursework in either family science or aging, and 2.0 units of additional elective courses from within the program. Students are required to take 1.0 unit of either family science content (GAFS 6610 and GAFS 6612) or aging content (GAFS 6609 and GAFS 6611), depending on their career focus.

Admission Requirements
Students will normally have completed an undergraduate degree in family science, aging/gerontology, sociology, psychology or related health profession (e.g., social work, nursing, health education, pharmacy) with a minimum of a B average (3.0 GPA) in the last 10.0 units of study. An undergraduate research methods course and an undergraduate statistics course will also be required as background preparation for GAFS 6606. As part of their application, students will also complete a “Statement of Intent” letter, which is part of the Supplementary Information package for graduate admission. In this statement, they will briefly outline their knowledge of and purpose in applying to our program, identify their future career goals, and comment on how completion of the program will help them achieve these goals. They will also comment on how their past work, volunteer, academic experiences may be helpful in their intended program of study.

There is a Senate approved process for recognizing prior learning to meet the admissions criteria.

Applicants must complete the Graduate Studies Application Package available online at msvu.ca/applyonline by February 15 for fall admission.

Program Requirements

Required Courses (2.0 units)
❏ GAFS 6606 0.5 unit
❏ GAFS 6613 0.5 unit
❏ GAFS 6633 0.5 unit
❏ GAFS 6680 0.5 unit

Family Science or Aging Stream (1.0 unit)
❏ Family Science Courses
GAFS 6610 and GAFS 6612
OR
Aging Courses
GAFS 6609 and GAFS 6611

Electives (2.0 units)
❏ 1.5 unit of electives selected from the following:
GAFS 6609a 0.5 unit
GAFS 6610b 0.5 unit
GAFS 6611a 0.5 unit
GAFS 6612b 0.5 unit
GAFS 6614 0.5 unit
GAFS 6616 0.5 unit
GAFS 6644 0.5 unit
GAFS 6650 0.5 unit
GAFS 6658 0.5 unit
GEPY 6608 0.5 unit
GAFS 6735 0.5 unit

a Elective for students in the Family Studies stream
b Elective for students in the Gerontology stream

❏ 0.5 unit of graduate level elective

Note: Electives may be selected from GAFS courses and courses from other departments at MSVU or other universities. Students are encouraged to make their elective selection in consultation with their academic advisor. Students wishing to take coursework at another university must comply with Mount Saint Vincent University regulations regarding transfer of credit and obtain the necessary Letter of Permission (LOP).

General Information
The Graduate Certificate in Health Communication and Aging provides students with an understanding of the interplay between human communication, aging and health. This program will: (a) encourage students to develop a broad understanding of communication and aging theories; (b) contribute to the advancement of health communication and aging as an emerging field of study; (c) provide enhanced opportunities for students to study the contextual nature of health communication and aging in its various forms; (d) develop in students an appreciation of the processes that define human communication and aging; and, (e) develop within students an appreciation for and awareness of ethical communication.

Admission requirements
To be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Health Communication and Aging students must provide evidence of an undergraduate degree in a field that provides required background for the certificate, with a GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. If a required course for the credential has an undergraduate course as a prerequisite, successful completion of the undergraduate course may be set as a condition for admission to the graduate credential. Admission to the program may be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ascertain the relevance of students’ previous undergraduate degree as background for the proposed certificate program. A ‘relevant’ background could constitute Communication, Family Studies and Gerontology, or related fields.

Program requirements
This program is offered jointly through the Department of Aging and Family Science and the Department of Communication Studies. Students must complete 2.0 units (1.0 unit from each department) with the following requirements:

❏ GPRL 6102     0.5 unit
❏ GPRL 6511     0.5 unit
❏ GAFS 6611     0.5 unit
❏ GAFS 6633     0.5 unit

General Information
The Graduate Certificate in Nutrition and Aging provides students with specialized knowledge of the interrelationship between nutrition and aging that is essential for understanding the ways food and nutrition contribute to the physiological, psychological, and socio-economic dimensions of an older person’s life. The program will explore the impact of aging-related nutrition education at different system levels including a) microsystems (individual in family/community); b) mesosystems (age-friendly-/food secure- communities; care homes); c) ecosystems (nutritional policies, health systems); and d) macrosystems (values, culture, religious beliefs affecting nutrition and aging). The program will provide students with professional knowledge of disease prevention, health promotion, and appropriate recommendations for older persons with chronic health needs.

Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Nutrition and Aging students must provide evidence of an undergraduate degree in a field that provides required background for the certificate, with a GPA of 3.0 (B) or better, immunization record, and a criminal record check with a vulnerable sector search. Immunization for contagious disease and a recent valid criminal record check with a vulnerable sector search are required for the Place-based Learning course (GAHN 6900), which has placements in health and community settings. Please contact the Department for more information.

Conditional acceptance may be an option when there is prerequisite academic content. If a required course for the credential has an undergraduate course as a prerequisite, successful completion of the undergraduate course may be set as a condition for admission to the graduate credential.

Program Requirements
This program is offered jointly through the Department of Applied Human Nutrition and the Department of Aging and Family Science. Students must successfully complete 2.0 units.

Required Courses (1.0 unit)
❏ GAHN 6900 0.5 unit
❏ GAFS 6611 0.5 unit

Elective (1.0 unit)
❏ 0.5 unit elective selected from the following:
GAHN 6715 0.5 unit
GAHN 6720 0.5 unit
GAFS/GAHN 6735 0.5 unit
GAHN 6745 0.5 unit
GAHN 6750 0.5 unit

❏ 0.5 unit elective selected from the following:
GAFS 6609 0.5 unit
GAFS 6616 0.5 unit
GAFS 6633 0.5 unit