Multi-disciplinary group of Queen’s faculty launch Aging and Health programs

| 12 June 2015 | 287 views

Just in time for Seniors’ Month in Ontario, Queen’s University received notice that its proposed programs in Aging and Health had been approved by the Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance. These new, executive-style programs – a Graduate Diploma (GDip), a Master of Science (MSc), and a PhD – will be housed in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy and delivered by a multi-disciplinary group of faculty with backgrounds in occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing, theology, urban planning, geography, family medicine, French studies, and others.

These innovative programs will build on the expertise in aging and health that exists across Queen’s University and will prepare students to develop, implement and evaluate a broad range of direct and indirect service and policy strategies to address the growing population of older adults in Canada.

The GDip (8 months) and MSc (12 months) will launch this fall. Application forms are already available through the School of Graduate Studies. Accepted students will begin their program of study during an on-site intensive, which will be held in Kingston from August 27th to 30th. During these days, students will meet each other and the faculty who will be teaching in the program. The opportunity for face-to-face interaction will facilitate networking and relationship building that will serve students and faculty throughout the program. Students will begin their two required courses during these few days: Normal Aging Processes and Ethics and Biomedical Ethics of Aging. They will continue with their course work on-line after returning to their home communities. This blended format will allow students to benefit from both face-to-face interactions as well as the flexibility of on-line learning. It will also allow students living outside of the Kingston area to enroll in these programs without relocating. Additional courses will begin in the winter term and offer electives to allow students to customize their programs of study.

The Aging and Health programs will enable students to develop a comprehensive and integrated perspective on a broad range of issues and processes that influence aging, healthy aging, and living well into old age. These issues include, but are not exclusive to, the process of aging, the effect of aging on the social and health care systems, and the policies needed to support healthy aging. Graduates of the programs will develop a deeper understanding of the population of older adults and the ability to provide more evidence based care in the places where older adults wish to live and receive support.

The Aging and Health programs are open to students from a full range of backgrounds, including Arts and Science, Health Sciences, and others. For more information about these innovative new programs, please see the program website: http://rehab.queensu.ca/programs/aghe

School of Rehabilitation Therapy