Program Highlights

Our graduate programs in Family Studies and Gerontology program will help you develop a deep understanding of the key issues that affect this field: family dynamics and development, or individual and population aging. You can focus your studies on Family Studies or on Gerontology. Family Studies considers individuals and families across the life-course, as well as the programs and policies that affect families. Gerontology focuses on issues related to aging and the challenges that older persons encounters.

We welcome international applicants to our graduate programs, and we encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible so that sufficient time is allocated for obtaining a student visa. Please visit our university’s International Education Centre for information about timelines for applying for study permits.

Program options: Thesis and non-thesis

You can choose from our thesis-based Master of Arts in Family Studies and Gerontology (MA FSGN) program and our applied (course-based) Master of Family Studies and Gerontology (MFSGN) program.

Professional and research skills

This program will prepare you to either pursue further academic studies, or to build your career by putting your research and critical thinking skills to work as you merge theory and practice in the field. As a graduate student, you may be able to participate in research projects through Nova Scotia Centre on Aging (NSCA), and you’ll have access to the state-of-the-art facilities in the Maritime Data Centre for Aging Research and Policy Analysis.

FSGN Graduate Handbook 2024

Please view the FSGN Graduate Handbook 2024.

Graduate Certificate in Health Communication and Aging

The Graduate Certificate in Health Communication and Aging is a 2.0 unit (4 course) program. It will provide you with an understanding of the interplay between human communication, aging and health. This program is best suited to applicants with an undergraduate degree in Communication, Family Studies & Gerontology, or a related field.

Advancing Your Career

A Master’s degree can help you become a leader, and educator, or a researcher in your field. Graduates of our Master’s programs in Family Studies and Gerontology are pursuing careers in aging, community or family services, family life education, community development, social work, and more. Hear from our graduates!