After retiring early from a career with AT&T, Corinne Jones went back to school to earn a bachelor’s degree in political science. She remembers it was a class on elder law where she got her first taste of gerontology.
The Master of Arts in Aging Services Management prepares business leaders to succeed in meeting the aging population’s unique needs, including supportive housing. At USC Leonard Davis, you’ll develop specialized knowledge and skills to navigate the challenges and opportunities of this fast-growing sector.
Program Information
Opportunities in a Growing Field
Aging services management is a growing field, and professionals with expertise in this market are in high demand. Consider that:
- In the United States, 72 million American Baby Boomers are entering their golden years.
- In 2050, about 2.1 billion people worldwide will be over 60. That’s double the number of people in this age group in 2017.
- Someone turning age 65 today has an almost 70% chance of needing long-term care services and supports in their remaining years.
- Americans spend more than $163 billion each year on nursing care facilities and continuing care retirement communities.
- Adults ages 65 and older spend 96% of their available income on goods and services vs. 78% for those ages 25-64. This large consumer group seeks products and services ranging from food and entertainment to healthcare and transportation.
- “Commercial businesses are unprepared to meet the needs of aging consumers.” (Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition study) Researchers identified gaps in available products and services compared to ones that older consumers need and want.
Is the Master of Arts in Aging Services Management Right for Me?
The MAASM degree is designed for current and future aging services managers. This degree is ideal if you want to:
- Gain business and management knowledge and skill sets to successfully offer products, services and programs to older adults
- Prepare to succeed in a rapidly evolving workplace and stay on the leading edge of the industry
- Meet business challenges and opportunities with entrepreneurial foresight and creativity
The Master of Arts in Aging Services Management program trains leaders and entrepreneurs to succeed in many fields, including:
- Technology
- Policy
- Care and housing
- Social services
- Communications
How Do I Earn My MAASM at USC Leonard Davis?
The MAASM degree is a 32-unit program. You can complete your studies either on campus or through our convenient online education program.
What Will I Study in My Classes?
The MAASM program at USC Leonard Davis explores gerontology through a sophisticated, multidisciplinary approach. Your classes integrate research and concepts from different fields, providing connections and context as you pursue academic and career goals.
Our curriculum blends gerontology with business education in marketing, finance and operations. You’ll explore these subjects through the program’s required and elective courses:
- Technological Innovations in Aging
- Current Issues in Aging Services Management
- Continuum of Care: Systems Perspectives
- Marketing and Shifts in Consumer Decision-Making
Admission Requirements
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Complete supplemental application included as part of university application
- In your university application, you must upload your resume and statement of interest
- 2 letters of recommendation, either uploaded in your university application or mailed separately by your recommenders
- Official transcripts should be mailed directly to our office, or submitted electronically. Students must declare all schools on the application and submit transcripts from all institutions attended (even if it was for just one semester) after high school:
USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
Office of Admission and Student Services
3715 McClintock Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191
On your university application, include your scholarship application—merit-based scholarships are available to qualified applicants. The GRE may be waived by having strong academics. If the GRE is required, you will be notified during the review process.
STATEMENT OF INTEREST
Your statement of interest plays an important role in helping our faculty consider your application for graduate study. The following prompt is designed to help you but is not an exhaustive list of information you should include in your statement. We recommend that your statement is within three to five double-spaced pages. The statement should be uploaded as part of the university application.
- Tell us why you chose to apply to the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
- Tell us about your experiences in gerontology
- Describe your educational and career goals
- Please describe your strengths and weaknesses
Learning that Fits Your Life
Whether you live halfway across the world or have a busy career, we make this program work for you. You can earn the MAASM degree online, through our robust digital course platform.
All your classes are streamed online, allowing you to interact with your classmates and professors in real-time. Learn more about our online education program.
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Stories and Spotlights
Educating generations of leaders in aging
Sarah Lamontagne, MAASM ’19
Sarah Lamontagne had a busy job at a Rhode Island nonprofit that helps adults age in place, remaining in their homes and communities as they grow older. But that didn’t stop her from pursuing a master’s degree from the USC Leonard Davis School in Gerontology.
Sahar Edalati, MS ’13
Today’s senior living market is marked by two extremes, says Sahar Edalati MS ’13, executive director of Watermark Retirement Communities in Brooklyn Heights, New York.
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Our community of ambitious students, eminent faculty and renowned alumni is waiting for you to join us. Our advisory team is ready to answer all your questions. Let’s continue the conversation.
