Establishing a gerontechnology graduate program in Korea: Educational rationale, goals, and curriculum design
Woojoung Shim
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AbstractBackground: Global population aging demands structural transformation across social, economic, and healthcare systems, positioning the convergence of science and technology as an essential strategic response. Gerontechnology has evolved beyond improving the quality of life for older adults or developing assistive technologies; it has emerged as a key interdisciplinary field that contributes not only to the enhancement of individual living and wellbeing but also to the integrated construction of sustainable welfare, industrial, and social systems that drive innovation in aging societies. However, despite the growing importance of Gerontechnology, there is currently no graduate-level program in Korea specifically designed to cultivate professionals capable of integrating science and technology into later-life development and the advancement of an aging society.
Methods: This study analyzed the philosophy, objectives, and core characteristics of Gerontechnology and examined existing domestic and international educational and graduate programs in related fields. Based on an analysis of current and future societal, student, and industry needs, the study identified the essential roles and competencies required of gerontechnologists. Subsequently, using Tyler’s goal-oriented model and the ADDIE instructional design framework, key professional competencies were derived, and a constructivist curriculum was developed to address them. The validity of the proposed curriculum was verified through a Content Validity Index (CVI) evaluation by 21 experts, including professors, students, and industry practitioners (n=7 in each group).
Results: Five core professional competencies and twelve curriculum subjects were identified. The competencies comprised: (1) foundational gerontological literacy, (2) foundational gerontechnological literacy, (3) integrative Gerontechnology research competency, (4) Gerontechnology leadership competency, and (5) Gerontechnology business competency. The CVI result (0.905) confirmed a high level of content validity.
Conclusions: This study presents an initial framework for a graduate curriculum in Gerontechnology tailored to the Korean context. The program aims to cultivate interdisciplinary professionals who can realize the academic mission and social value of Gerontechnology by integrating science, technology, and human life in later adulthood. Future work will include pilot implementation and institutional feedback to verify educational effectiveness and societal relevance.Keywords: Gerontechnology; Graduate Program; Curriculum Design; Professional Competency; Higher Education
Woojoung Shim (2026). Establishing a gerontechnology graduate program in Korea: Educational rationale, goals, and curriculum design. Gerontechnology, 25(1), 1-13
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2025.25.1.1280.4