Master of Science (M.S.) Major in Dementia and Aging Studies (Practitioner Concentration) | Texas State University

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 29-1171.00

Skills

Complex Problem SolvingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessActive LearningWriting

Knowledge

Medicine and DentistryEnglish LanguageBiologyPsychologyCustomer and Personal Service

Abilities

Written ComprehensionProblem SensitivityInductive ReasoningOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionDeductive ReasoningNear VisionOral ComprehensionInformation OrderingSpeech Recognition

Tasks

Maintain complete and detailed records of patients' health care plans and prognoses.
Develop treatment plans, based on scientific rationale, standards of care, and professional practice
Provide patients with information needed to promote health, reduce risk factors, or prevent disease

Technology

Medical softwareData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareInternet browser softwareOffice suite software

Tools

AngiocathsApnea monitorsArgon lasersArterial blood gas monitoring equipmentArterial line cathetersAutomated external defibrillators AEDBack bracesBilevel positive airway pressure BiPAP ventilatorsBinocular light compound microscopesBiopsy punchesBlood drawing syringesCarbon dioxide CO2 lasersCardiac monitorsCardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR face shieldsChest tubes

Work Values

RelationshipsAchievementSupportIndependenceWorking ConditionsRecognition

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: medium29-1171.00	Nurse Practitioners	title_inference	$129,210 median$169,950 top	+40.07%	12,840

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: advanced (Level 4)(based on Master's Degree)

Organizational clinical practice standards — establish and champion evidence-based protocols, prescribing policies, and care guidelines across a health system or large practice network.
NP workforce development — mentor, precept, and design structured training programs that elevate clinical competency and professional practice for emerging and developing practitioners.
Strategic treatment frameworks — lead system-wide adoption of advanced practice models that integrate scientific innovation, value-based care principles, and patient safety imperatives.
Health promotion and population health initiatives — design and direct community or institutional programs targeting disease prevention, health equity, and measurable risk reduction outcomes.
Diagnostic quality improvement — analyze aggregate diagnostic accuracy data and lead interdisciplinary initiatives to reduce error rates and optimize clinical decision-making across the organization.
Prescribing governance and formulary leadership — guide organizational medication policies, controlled substance stewardship programs, and pharmacotherapy standards in alignment with regulatory requirements.
Chronic disease center of excellence — build and lead multidisciplinary programs that set regional or national benchmarks for outcomes in complex chronic condition management.
Executive-level clinical communication — represent the advanced practice nursing perspective in board-level discussions, policy negotiations, and accreditation processes using high-stakes oral and written communication.
Health informatics strategy — direct the selection, implementation, and optimization of medical software, EHR platforms, and clinical decision-support systems to advance care delivery goals.
Cross-sector collaboration and advocacy — influence legislative, regulatory, and professional bodies to expand NP scope of practice, improve patient access, and shape healthcare workforce policy.

Course Pathway

31 courses in this program

Program Requirements

Courses required to complete this program

SOCI 5351Introduction to Dementia Studies

3 cr

SOCI 5352Dementia and Caregiving

3 cr

SOCI 5355The Social Psychology of Dementia

3 cr

SOCI 5383Seminar on Aging

3 cr

SOCI 5354Theoretical Perspectives in Aging and Dementia

3 cr

ADED 5314Community Development for Educators

3 cr

ADED 5325Teaching Adults: Principles and Practices

3 cr

CDIS 5380Communication and Aging

3 cr

LTCA 5302Elder Abuse and Mistreatment

3 cr

LTCA 5322Environmental Management in Long Term Care

3 cr

LTCA 5323Governance Management in Long Term Care

3 cr

LTCA 5324Personnel Management in Long Term Care

3 cr

LTCA 5325Resident Care Management in Long Term Care

3 cr

LTCA 5335Financial Management in Long Term Care

3 cr

OCED 5311Technology, Change, and Innovation in Organizations

3 cr

OCED 5362Leadership Development

3 cr

PA 5320Organizational Theory, Change, and Behavior

3 cr

PH 5305Grant Proposal Writing in Public Health

3 cr

SOCI 5309Seminar in Qualitative Research Methods

3 cr

SOCI 5356End of Life Care

3 cr

SOCI 5357Gender and Aging in Society

3 cr

SOCI 5361Aging and Dementia: Racial and Ethnic Minorities

3 cr

SOCI 5362Rural Aging and Dementia

3 cr

SOCI 5363Seminar in Medical Sociology

3 cr

SOCI 5364Clinical Gerontology: Interventions for Elders and Persons

3 cr

SOWK 5328Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Aging

3 cr

SOCI 5307Advanced Statistics for the Social Sciences

3 cr

SOCI 3307Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences

3 cr

ANTH 5305Anthropological Statistics

3 cr

GEO 5301Multivariate Quantitative Methods

3 cr

PA 5311Introduction to Statistical Analysis

3 cr

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.