Gerontology: the study of aging

This page is updated for the academic year 2023-2024.
Information for the academic year 2024-2025 will be updated in the coming days.
 

Master's Degree 

Tracks 

Two tracks are available: 

Track A – includes research and thesis submission. 

Track B – not research-based. 

Programs 

This two-year program includes theoretical and professional studies with a practicum in the second year. Students who pass program requirements are eligible for a master’s degree in gerontology and may submit a request to be listed in the official registry of gerontologists. 
Additionally, graduates of the program who are professionals with a prior academic background that meets the requirements of membership in the Israeli Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychotherapy – ITA (social work, occupational therapy and nursing, educational guidance, special needs education, communication disorders, art therapy, criminology, psychiatry and psychology) may continue on and complete their studies in the Israeli Program for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. (The Israeli program is authorized by ITA and is under the sponsorship of the Department for Professional Development at Bar-Ilan’s School of Education, and is recognized for compensation credits. 

The program grants all graduates a 

Master in Gerontology: Science of Aging. 

The program is also available through the Interdisciplinary Department for Social Sciences. 

Credit and seminar requirements 

A thesis track or a non-research track may be selected. Details of each track may be found on the Faculty of Life Sciences website. 

Track A – research-based track 

16 AC (annual-based credits) (32 SC semester-based credits) as specified below: 

Required courses – 12 AC (24 SC) 

Elective courses –      2 AC (4 SC) 

Seminar – 2 AC (4 SC) 

Track B – non-research track 

20.5 AC (41 SC) as specified below: 

Required courses – 14.5 AC (29 SC) [including an external practicum of 2.5 AC (5 SC)] 

Elective courses –      2 AC (4 SC) 

Seminar – 4 AC (8 SC) 

These courses do not include requirements for Jewish studies, English and general courses. An introduction to social sciences course of 2 AC (4 SC) must be completed for those with an undergraduate degree in life sciences (included in the required courses). 

Admission criteria 

• A bachelor's degree from a recognized academic institution in one of the following disciplines: healthcare profession (such as nursing), medicine, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and life sciences. 
   
• A minimum weighted undergraduate average of 80 (from all bachelor’s degree coursework; for students with a double major, the average is calculated from final average of each department). 
   
• Preference will be given to students with bachelor’s degree eligibility (over students in their last undergraduate year). 
   
• Applicants to the research-based track must pass an admission interview to test their research abilities. 
   
• Students applying in their last year of undergraduate study must submit an authorization of degree completion to the master’s degree by the end of December of that same year.

Completion of background courses 

Completion of prerequisite courses per academic background and as indicated, for a total of 7 AC (14 SC) from the relevant introductory courses in the social sciences and life sciences. 

Notes: 

1. Background courses to be completed before applying may be taken at any institution recognized by the Council for Higher Education, on condition that the courses have the same number of credits and meet the specified criteria. 

1. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee exemption from program courses. An exemption will be granted for courses that meet the criteria of the Interdisciplinary Department of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Life Sciences. A decision will be made after examining the course syllabi and the transcripts. Any exemption granted is academic and has no tuition-related ramifications. 

1. In exceptional cases admission will be considered for applicants who hold a bachelor's degree in disciplines that do not fully meet the specified criteria. 

1. Applicant screening is based on all components of their personal record and is relative to other applicants of the particular year. 

Application process 

Application to the master’s degree in gerontology is via the Bar-Ilan website; follow the instructions specified there. 

Program duration 

Program duration is two years. The School of Graduate Studies may grant an extension for a third year to students on a research track when such a case is deemed justified, with the recommendation of the department head and the advisor, for completion of the thesis only and not for coursework. Further details on the program are found on the Faculty of Life Sciences website. 

Language proficiency (English) 

English at the master’s degree level (details on placement tests, course levels and exemption eligibility criteria – see introductory chapter). 

Jewish studies 

As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter). 

  

For further details 

contact the Faculty of Life Sciences office 

by phone on 03-5317297, or via email, or visit the Gerontology Program website