Program Highlights
Our graduate programs in Family Studies and Gerontology program will help you develop a deep understanding of the key issues that affect this field: family dynamics and development, or individual and population aging. You can focus your studies on Family Studies or on Gerontology. Family Studies considers individuals and families across the life-course, as well as the programs and policies that affect families. Gerontology focuses on issues related to aging and the challenges that older persons encounters.
We welcome international applicants
to our graduate programs, and we encourage international applicants to apply as
early as possible so that sufficient time is allocated for obtaining a student
visa. Please visit our university’s
International Education Centre for
information about timelines for applying for study permits (student
visas).
For up-to-date visa processing times, please visit
the: Canada
Immigration Processing Times Tool.
Program options: Thesis and non-thesis
You can choose from our thesis-based Master of Arts in Family Studies and Gerontology (MA FSGN) program and our applied (course-based) Master of Family Studies and Gerontology (MFSGN) program.
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Professional and research skills
This program will prepare you to either pursue further academic studies, or to build your career by putting your research and critical thinking skills to work as you merge theory and practice in the field. As a graduate student, you may be able to participate in research projects through Nova Scotia Centre on Aging (NSCA), and you’ll have access to the state-of-the-art facilities in the Maritime Data Centre for Aging Research and Policy Analysis.
Learn about our graduate program outcomes »
Flexible learning options
We offer flexible and accessible learning options, including several classes via distance learning and online education. We welcome full- and part-time students.
Advancing Your Career
A Master’s degree can help you become a leader, and educator, or a researcher in your field. Graduates of our Master's programs in Family Studies and Gerontology are pursuing careers in aging, community or family services, family life education, community development, social work, and more. Hear from our graduates! »
When you graduate, you may be eligible to apply for certification as a family life educator through the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) or Family Service Canada (FSC).