Social Gerontology
Alma Mater Europaea - ECM offers an innovative doctoral program for preparing students to address issues facing an aging population.
The emphasis of the graduate program in Social Gerontology is on helping students understand the process of aging from an intergenerational symbiosis perspective. The program positions graduates to pursue their passion for policy and research while studying the mechanics and mysteries of longevity, aging and population health. The social gerontology program prepares graduates to become leaders who effect policy changes at the local and national levels alike. It also prepares graduates for careers in gerontology research.
Academic excellence. Innovative programs. Real-world connections. First-class educational experience. Impact your career. Study in the heart of Europe.
Courses
SOCIAL GERONTOLOGY SYLLABUS - 1st YEAR
Course | ECTS | ||
---|---|---|---|
Total 1. year | 60 | ||
Total per study program | 180 | ||
Mandatory courses | |||
1 | Social Gerontology | 10 | |
2 | Qualitative methodology | 10 | |
3 | Social construction of aging | 10 | |
4 | Guidance of diversity and competency research modelling | 10 | |
5 | Impact of modifications on organization in Social Gerontology | 10 | |
6 | Doctoral seminar: Preparation of doctoral thesis application | 10 |
SOCIAL GERONTOLOGY SYLLABUS - 2nd YEAR
Course | ECTS | ||
---|---|---|---|
Total 2. year | 60 | ||
Total per study program | 180 | ||
Mandatory courses | |||
7 | Gerontological and anthropological anlyses interpretations | 10 | |
8 | Elderly person, family and social network | 10 | |
9 | Gerontological questions development strategies | 10 | |
Elective courses (student chooses 3) | |||
1 | Demographic and gerontological perspectives | 10 | |
2 | Sociology of aging | 10 | |
3 | Gerontological processes and gender | 10 | |
4 | Philosophy and ethics in old age | 10 | |
5 | Old age quality of life | 10 | |
6 | Social management | 10 | |
7 | Creative types of team work | 10 | |
8 | Medical aspects of aging | 10 | |
9 | Medicalization of aging | 10 | |
10 | Economic aspects of elderly care | 10 | |
11 | Nonprofit sector management | 10 | |
12 | Social Gerontology crisis management | 10 | |
13 | Urban and architectural integration of the elderly | 10 | |
14 | Volunteering for intergenerational symbiosis | 10 | |
15 | Types of palliative assistance | 10 | |
16 | Scientific writing | 10 | |
17 | Leisure time organization | 10 |
SOCIAL GERONTOLOGY SYLLABUS - 3nd YEAR
Course | ECTS | ||
---|---|---|---|
Total 3. year | 60 | ||
Total per study program | 180 | ||
DOCTORAL THESIS - MENTORING | |||
10 | Preparation and production of doctoral thesis seminar | 15 | |
11 | Preparation and production of doctoral thesis 45 | 45 |
Faculty

Courses:
Undergraduate: ManagementGraduate: European Business Studies
Graduate: Strategic Communication Management, Social Gerontology
CV:
Bibliography: Read more
Jurij Toplak, Ph.D., is one of the leading European election law authorities. He regularly gives advice to Council of Europe, OSCE, European Union, UNDP, and governments of different countries on various election related issues. He is a Secretary General of the European Election Law Association and a Vice-Chair of the International Political Science Association research committee on political finance and corruption. He was involved in several election law cases before the highest national courts and the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Prof. Toplak served as a Fulbright scholar at the UCLA School of Law and researched at Georgetown University, Oxford University, Central European University, and others. He served on Central Election Commission of Slovenia for twelve years. He is an Associate Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Maribor Law School, Slovenia, and at Alma Mater Europaea, where he serves as a head of the Department of Management and European Studies. Jure Toplak regularly serves as an international election observer worldwide. His bibliography contains six books and many articles and book chapters. He published a book with Ashgate and articles in Temple Law Review, Electoral Studies, and other journals.
Advantages
Alma Mater Europaea is committed to providing students with a broad theoretical understanding of lifespan development. Ph.D. students will take a wide variety of courses, work closely with a faculty mentor, and have the opportunity to focus on a specific area of interest.
All our lectures are filmed and e-learning supported. You can watch them in live stream and re-run them at home as many times as you like.
Employability
Ph.D. graduates will enter the workforce armed with the highest-level training available in gerontology and will be prepared to enter careers in research, education, or service, with opportunities available in:
- Leadership positions in the planning, administration and evaluation of programs in the private and public sectors
- Executive positions in the delivery of direct services to older adults and their families
- Policy and advocacy work
- Scientific research and study