EDUCATING POLICY GERONTOLOGISTS - THE IMPACT OF A POLICY SPECIALIZATION ON CARER CHOICE AND CAREER-DEVELOPMENT

The impact of a policy specialization curriculum on the professional d evelopment and career progression of graduates of a master's degree pr ogram in gerontology was examined. Data were collected retrospectively using a mailed questionnaire and focus-group interviews of program gr aduates. The data were used to assess how the program graduates percei ved the specialization's influence on their career goals and their pro fessional development after graduation and which components of the spe cialization were most valued by the graduates as enhancing their profe ssional development. Findings from the surveys and focus-group intervi ews suggest that (a) the exposure to policy and aging influenced the g raduates to pursue specialized training, and (b) after completing the specialization, most graduates obtained positions related to policy an d aging, remained in professional roles related to policy and aging, a nd wanted their next or ideal job to involve policy and aging.