ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú earns high marks in Intelligent.com 2025 rankings
University is No. 1 for Master’s in Gerontology; No. 2 in Best Small Business Management
•
Published
•
ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú earns high marks in Intelligent.com 2025 rankings
•
Published
•
Intelligent.com uses a data-driven methodology to evaluate programs on measures such as graduation rates, return on investment, academic quality, and more.
Housed in the Department of Sociology and Gerontology and in partnership with Scripps Gerontology Center, the Master’s in Gerontological Studies (MGS) program started in 1977 and is among the oldest gerontology programs in the country.
ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s MGS and Ph.D. programs are based on collaboration and use a “shared mentorship” model.
This approach is different from more “apprenticeship” style graduate programs, said Leah Janssen ’05, MGS ’07, Ph.D. ’21, associate director for academic programs and research support at the Scripps Gerontology Center.
“This gives students the opportunity to work with a variety of faculty and Scripps researchers,” Janssen said. “In this approach, students’ classroom, teaching, and research experiences facilitate their individual development and preparation for the job market.”
ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú also recently was selected as of the 2024 Innovative Research on Aging Awards given by the Mather Institute. ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú earned accolades for its innovative 2024 study addressing loneliness in older adults and ageism in university students through an arts-based intergenerational program.
Janssen estimated about half of MGS graduates pursue a Ph.D. at some point in their career.
“The MGS degree prepares the next generation of gerontologists to work in a wide variety of aging-related fields,” Janssen said. “Graduates hold jobs in a range of public and private settings as program or facility administrators, planners, practitioners, researchers, advocates, and trainers. New job opportunities for well-trained gerontologists are constantly emerging.”
Along with its No. 1 Intelligent.com ranking in Master’s Gerontology Degree ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú earned two more top 10 distinctions – No. 2 in and No. 10 in .
Tom Mays, chair of the Department of Commerce, said there are around 300 ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú students enrolled in the Small Business Management major and attributed its growth in popularity in part to its availability as a fully online program.
“We get a really nice mix of traditionally aged students to those who have been working in industry for some time and are looking for additional credentials,” Mays said. “We get students who are interested in starting their own business, too. There is an entrepreneurial mindset with our students.”
Additionally, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú was ranked No. 11 in , No. 18 in , and No. 19 in .
The university was also ranked in:
“It’s always nice to be recognized for the work we put into the program,” Mays said. “Our faculty and our practitioners come from industry. They were executives and small business owners themselves. We pride ourselves on offering a practical program for our students.”