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Contents

Geriatrics & Gerontology » Background of the Department » Need for the Program » Degrees Offered Details of the Program » What is the Aim of the Course? » Degrees Structure and Content » Instructional Strategies » Relationship of the Program to the MEAMA, MELI » MEAMA Sessions » Courses Offered » Internship » Dissertation » Assessment » Admission Requirements » Fees » How to Apply?

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1. Background of the Department

The number of older people is growing and they frequently have health-related problems with a mixture of physical, mental, social and behavioural aspects. In the past, these problems were seen only in a few older people and the families were able to take care of their parents or old relatives. However, societies are changing as a result of the demographic and cultural developments and they face the increasing possibilities of modern medicine. There is a tremendous demand for education in gerontology. Few academic disciplines have grown as rapidly as gerontology over the last decades. The number of professionals working with older persons is increasing exponentially.

Three factors underscore the importance of postgraduate training in geriatric and gerontology:

a) Population is ageing.
The most striking demographic trend in the World is has been the increase, in both relative and absolute terms, of elderly people in the population. Within the elderly population, the greatest expansion is among the very old. As the prevalence of disease and disability increases with advancing age, elderly people place a disproportionate demand on the health care system. Furthermore, people aged over 60 years occupy 51 % of all hospital
beds. Elderly people also constitute an increasing proportion of the general practitioner’s workload. This demand on health resources will increase dramatically in the decades ahead.

b) Elderly people have particular health needs.
Providing medical care for individual elderly patients presents major challenges. Medical
breakdown in old age is characterized by a complex amalgam of physical dysfunction,
cognitive impairment and social incompetence which is often difficult to disentangle and
sensibly manage. Diseases often present atypically, have multiple etiologies and protean
manifestations. Chronic conditions, where underlying impairments result in continuing
disability and handicap, predominate in old age. Communication problems and physical frailty
are also common and are barriers to clinical assessment. The appropriate use of diagnostic
and therapeutic technologies often requires fine judgment of the risks and likely benefits. Above all, a positive approach to old people and to their medical problems is essential.

c) The training of health profession for the care of old age has traditionally been nadequate.
The teaching of geriatric medicine has traditionally had a low profile in many places in the World . Recent research has identified major deficiencies in terms of what is taught, when it is taught and how it is taught. It is therefore timely for the MMU university to start the specialization dgrees in geriatric and gerontology.

Program Mission: The various degrees are designed to provide a multi-disciplinary education for future and current professionals in geriatrics & gerontology.

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2. Need for the Program

Today, there are millions of professionals who work with an aging population. They include physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, pharmacists, dentists, nutritionists, social workers, speech therapists, dentists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nursing home administrations, retirement community developers and administrators, home health care providers, lawyers, and area agency on aging employees.

The more knowledge a professional has about gerontology, the better prepared he/she is to provide services to an aging population. Many of these professionals recognize the need for additional education in gerontology, but because they are employed full time they can not attend classic universities.

The MMU University offers a variety of educational opportunities in Gerontology for the multidisciplinary team. The Programs allows working adults to acquire the education and training they need to keep pace with the rapidly changing world of gerontology. Students have the convenience of attending class from their own homes on their own schedules.

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3. Degrees Offered

» Master of Science in Geriatrics & Gerontology Msc.Ger.
» Postgraduate Diploma in Geriatrics & Gerontology Dip.Ger
» Postgraduate Certificate in Geriatrics & Gerontology Cert.Ger.
» Master of Long Term Administration
» Postgraduate Diploma of Long Term Administration

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4. What are the Aims of the Courses?

The Course is aimed at producing qualified and trained personnel engaged in the provision and planning of services to older persons in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors. The emphasis is on giving a better understanding of the various aspects of Ageing and the needs of older persons.

The Course offers a unique opportunity for systematic multi-disciplinary training in a wide range of areas in the field of ageing. It provides opportunities for correlation of theory and practise, and experience in innovative practices, service planning and delivery. It is designed to train individuals so that they will promote the multiplier effect in their respective countries by becoming agents to change through the dissemination of the information and knowledge acquired.

To improve knowledge and skills of professionals, physicians, nurses and health care officers, in health related problems in older people, starting with a special interest in community care in the Middle-East area.

The overall goal of the Advanced postgraduate course is to provide the foundation for competent, compassionate care of older patients. This foundation includes attitudes, knowledge, and skills that are needed to care for older people.

The postgraduate courses offered, present a unique opportunity for a systematic multi-disciplinary training in the areas of Gerontology and Geriatrics. The Department through, the four intensive workshops/sessions, the variety of its courses, and the practicum provides high academic opportunities for correlation of theory and practice, and experience in innovative practices, service planning and delivery.

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5. Degree Structure and Content

The University is offering the following degrees in Gerontology:

» Master of Science in Geriatrics & Gerontology Msc.Ger.
» Postgraduate Diploma in Geriatrics & Gerontology Dip.Ger
» Postgraduate Certificate in Geriatrics & Gerontology Cert.Ger.

All programs prepares graduates to assume professional leadership positions in the delivery of services to older people and their families, in the planning and evaluation of services, in administration of programs and in the instruction of older people and service providers.

All students have to participate in four sessions of MEAMA that cover the following areas
The topics of the four sessions are the following:

Session 1 - Principles of Geriatrics & Gerontology
Session 2 - Geriatric Syndromes, Conditions and Rehabilitation
Session 3 - Health Care Services for the Elderly
Session 4 - Pyschogeriatrics and Health Promotion

In addition, a series of courses, selected from a list of skill requirements, is chosen to assist the student in developing specific professional practice skills. A field practicum assures that these skills can be applied in agencies and institutional settings.

The Master of Science in Geriatrics & Gerontology requires 60 units of course work and field experience. This includes 16 units of required sessions from MEAMA, 24 units of courses, 8 units of field practicum, and 12 units for the thesis. The field practicum includes two sessions of practical experience working in an organizational setting.

The requirement for the Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate are detailed below.

For the administration track half of the courses should be within health care administration.

A total of 60 units/credits are required for graduation.

1. Four sessions of the MEAMA 16 credits
2. Six courses 24 credits
3. Two practicum 8 credits
4. The Master's thesis 12 credits

A total of 36 units/credits are required for graduation.

1. Four sessions of the MEAMA 16 credits
2. Four courses 16 credits
3. One practicum 4 credits

A total of 24 units/credits are required for graduation.

1. Four sessions of the MEAMA 16 credits
2. Two courses 8 credits

A total of 60 units/credits are required for graduation.

1. Four sessions of the MEAMA 16 credits
2. Six courses 24 credits (12 credits in health care administration)
3. Two practicum 8 credits
4. The Master's thesis 12 credits

A total of 36 units/credits are required for graduation.

1. Four sessions of the MEAMA 16 credits
2. Four courses 16 credits (8 credits in health care administration)
3. One practicum 4 credits

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6. Instructional Strategies

The strategy that will be followed:

I. Four intensive sessions in two years
II. Distance learning courses
III. Assignment
IV. Thesis
V. Practical rotation

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7. Relationship of theProgram to the MEAMA, MELI

The Middle East Academy for Medicine of Ageing was founded in 2002 to stimulate the development of health care services for older people in the region. It was established by a number of professors and teachers from the Middle East and Europe. The Model of MEAMA was taken from the European Academy for Medicine of Ageing. The first course took place between 2003 and 2005. The course has been built up with 4 sessions, on each of 4 days, which cover important topics of health-related problems in older people. The organisers of the Middle-East Academy for Medicine of Ageing organise this course with the support of the European Academy for Medicine of Ageing, the European Union of Geriatric Medicine, the Geriatric Medicine Section of the European Union of Medical Specialists and the International Association of Gerontology. http://www.meama.com

MEAMA will be responsible for all intensive workshop sessions in Geriatrics and Gerontology. Whereas MELI will be responsible for the field practicum.

Middle East Longevity Institute MELI is a service under development with the aim of developing exemplary services for the elderly including rehabilitation and preventive services and longevity issues. One of the main aim of MELI is training and education and is acting as a research center on Ageing.

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8. MEAMA Sessions

Every six months there is one session organized by the MEAMA on one of the subject below:

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9. Courses Offered

There are a large number of courses offered under the following categories

1. General
   
2. Clinical
   
3. Sociology
   
4. Pyschology
   
5. Nursing and Supportive topics
   
6. Public Health
   
7. Communication and Aging
   
8. Management
   

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10. Practicum/Internship

Credit Value 4
The graduate internship, affords the student varied experiences that complement academic course work. It is an on-the-job, supervised experience that allows the student to put theories and ideas learned in the classroom into practice. The field practicum provides the opportunity for the student to gain valuable experience and develop needed skills by working in a community agency or institution. The internship is specifically tailored to provide the student with diverse professional experiences in working with older adults. Students also gain valuable experience in working with various multidisciplinary team . The Graduate Internship takes into consideration the need for flexibility in the student's schedule and allows the student to take either a full-time or a longer part-time placement.

The field practicum can be either two weeks in Long term Facility or divided into one week period.

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11. Dissertation

A candidate for the master degree either during the first session of the MEAMA or the second session will present a proposal for their Master's thesis. The proposals are discussed and students get feedback on their plans. Subsequently, the final thesis proposal is handed in to the MMU Thesis Committee, who assigns two supervisors to the student. Usually one of the supervisors is from the participant's home country. The Master's thesis will be presented during the last session of the MEAMA.
This is seen as a piece of work which will place qualitatively different demands on the candidate from those arising during the Course. It requires a sustained effort over very long period first in defining the chosen area of investigation then in researching the background, in integrating the empirical data collected into a wider context of the subject and finally in drawing conclusions and recommendations on the subject.
The dissertation of between fifteen to fifty thousand words on a topic selected from the general area of studies carried out throughout the course, should include a critical analysis of the issues covered by the topic. Candidates will be expected to analyze concepts, weigh and assess evidence, and compare alternative theories and assumptions. .

1. The department shall nominate a supervisor for every candidate. The student to perform his/her research project in his/her respective country, the department shall nominate two supervisors one from the University of MMU and a co-supervisor from the candidate's own country.
   
2. The supervisor shall require the candidate to report to him at least once a term.
   
3. The dissertation shall have the following characteristics
   a. It must contain the results of the research carried out, a critical review of the relevant literature and a critical discussion of the results.
   b. The dissertation shall be between 15000 and 50,000 words and shall be assigned 12 credits.
   
4. The dissertation shall be examined by a review committee appointed by the university, consisting of at least three examiners, one of whom shall normally be an external examiner from another university.
   
5. A candidate shall normally also be required to take a vivavoce examination to defend his/her dissertation.
   
6. No dissertation shall be accepted which is identical in substance to a dissertation already submitted for a degree in the MMU University or any other university.
   
7. A candidate whose dissertation is found unsatisfactory may be allowed by the Board, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, to resubmit it, in a revised form, within a period not exceeding one year form the day on which it is referred back to the candidate.
   
8. The final result shall take into account the merits of the dissertation and the viva voce examination thereof.
   

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12. Assessment

Results for the assessments of the study-units, practice placements, dissertation and the final synoptic exams shall be published as percentage mark and grade as indicated in the table below:

Students who fail in the assessment of a study-unit shall be allowed a re-assessment once only. If unsuccessful, students shall be required to withdraw from the course. If successful, the maximum grade that may be awarded shall be grade D.

From the learner's perspective, early in the course it will be critical for students to contact the instructor and interact among themselves via electronic mail so they become comfortable with the structure of the course. It will also help if instructors require students to maintain and share electronic journal entries that identify areas of weakness or concern. It is vital that our instructors contact students every week. Additionally, the following components will help evaluate and assess learner's progress and development:

Pre-class study questions are used to assess the technological abilities of the students and to assist them in developing effective communication with the instructor and fellow students. It is understood that it will take time to improve poor communication patterns.

Another important tool to obtain ongoing evaluation of the course is by Electronic mail.

Comprehensive student evaluation of each course and the overall program will be requested of all students on a regular basis.

The final Degree shall be awarded in one of the following categories: Passed with Distinction or Passed.

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13. Admission Requirements

Applicants should have one of the following pre-requisites:

All applicants should be able to demonstrate an interest in gerontology in their CV and letter of motivation. Students may enroll the program at any time. Click here for the 2006/2007 Application form for Professionals (registration for full programme or separate module)

For further information, call the department at +61 3 9819 1224
or e-mail them at dean@multimediauniversity.com

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14. Tuition Fees

Currently the tuition for the courses are set at 200 US dollars per Unit so for a course of 4 units the cost is 800 in addition to 50 dollars registration per course. Books and other materials are not included in the tuition. Tuition fees for the MEAMA session are done separately and the current cost is at 1200 US dollars including all tuition fees, full board accomodation and local transport.

Completed applications should include:
» Application for Graduate Studies Form (with $50 application fee)
» Three letters of reference (sealed)
» Sealed official transcripts of all post-secondary academic work
» Statement of Research Interests
» Statement of Work Experience in Gerontology
» Curriculum Vitae Form

Are there opportunities for financial support?
MMU are currently working in providing several opporunity for funding and loans.

The number of credits that a student may transfer in: An admission credit evaluation is prepared for graduate students with previous graduate level course work. This review indicates which courses the University will approve but it is the Department of Gerontology that determines if any of these courses are appropriate in the Gerontology degree. There is a maximum of 12 units that may be used toward the master's degree. A fees of $100 is charged for this service

Whether credit for prior learning will be awarded: Graduate transfer credit will not be granted for life experience, credit by examination, non-credit extension courses, correspondence courses or thesis supervision. Graduate transfer credit will not be granted for course work taken elsewhere after a student has been admitted and enrolled at USC unless the student receives prior written approval from the department.

Student support services and academic advisement: Students will be assigned a faculty advisor after admission to the program. This advisor will be available by phone and e-mail throughout the duration of their graduate studies. In addition to the faculty advisor that is assigned to each online student, a member of the distance learning staff will be assigned to the student for advisement as to sequence of courses and electives.

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15. Resources

Library and Information Resources will be available soon.