GERONTOLOGY
College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
MINOR
CAREER POSSIBILITIES
FACULTY
CONTACT
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Gerontology Program provides an applied interdisciplinary approach to studying the human aging process and the challenges encountered by older adults and their families as they interact in contemporary society. The curriculum is anchored in life course and humanistic theory, and concentrates on the needs of both healthy and chronically ill elders.

In order to better understand life’s complexities, the program guides students to critically examine and explore the issues, impacts, and interventions for elders and their families from an interdisciplinary framework. Throughout course work, students are exposed to the bio-psycho-social-cultural and gender contexts that exist individually and in aggregate groups within society. Course content challenges all students to identify and analyze existing generalizations, theories, and concepts about aging in order to develop valid understandings based on current research in the discipline. Throughout the program, students are encouraged to actively advocate concerning elder issues.

The program offers a major and minor in Gerontology. Students are encouraged to blend other disciplines of study with Gerontology in order to facilitate varied career alternatives. They are helped in constructing an individual (elective) program of study within their major that reflects their own interests. Using elective courses to begin to build a minor in this area is highly encouraged. The program also assists students in constructing a special master's degree. Currently the gerontology graduate courses needed for this are housed in the College of Continuing Education (CCE).

Career opportunities for gerontologists are growing rapidly. Employers are realizing the benefits of employing people who have backgrounds in aging along with abilities to address the needs of their older consumers. Gerontology graduates enter careers in both the public and private sectors with healthy and chronically ill elders. The careers are as varied as the goals of the individual and the needs of the organization. Graduates often work in such positions as counselors, advocates, analysts in state agencies for older adults, social workers, nurses, and information and referral specialists. Others have created their own careers in such areas as dental hygiene, human services, food services, travel, and web design.

Gerontology graduates also often go on to graduate and professional schools in fields such as sociology, psychology, counseling, nursing, criminal justice, family services, and social work.

Specializations

BS: Applied Service and Administration / General Focus

The focus of the curriculum is upon the biological/psychological/social aspects of aging; social policies; services and research in aging; and practice, administration, and program skills related to aging.

• An integrated interdisciplinary program of courses and field experiences leads to a Bachelor of Science degree with a Major or Minor in Gerontology.
• Multiple major courses include integrated Service Learning to connect theory, practice and community service.
• Individuals are prepared for careers in varied gerontological practice areas based upon demographic projections of need for personnel in planning, administering, coordinating and delivering older adult services.
• Gerontological practitioners’ awareness of the effects of social policy on aging individuals and families is heightened.
• The program helps facilitate students' progression from community colleges to the University when acquiring a BS degree in Gerontology.
• Individuals currently working in the community are afforded opportunities to learn advanced skills and acquire professional training in gerontology.
• The strong relationships between the Gerontology Program and Sacramento area agencies and institutions planning or delivering services for older persons are key components to this program’s success.
• The Gerontology Program helps enhance the interest and commitment of diverse faculty and the University while providing a vehicle for interdisciplinary study and research in the field of Gerontology.
• The Program provides comprehensive academic preparation for graduate study in Gerontology or other related fields.
  

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

REQUIREMENTS - BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE

Units required for Major: 48
Minimum total units required for BS: 120
Minimum grade required: “C” or better in all major and multidisciplinary core/elective courses.
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

A. Required Core Courses (18 units)
(3)	GERO 101	Elder Care Continuum Services and Strategies
(3)	GERO 102	Social Policy for an Aging Society (GOVT 1 or GOVT 150 or equivalent)
(3)	GERO 103	Applied Care Management in Gerontology Practice
(3)	GERO 195A	Field Experience (GERO 101, GERO 102, GERO 103 and instructor permission)
(3)	GERO 195B	Field Experience (GERO 101, GERO 102, GERO 103 and instructor permission)
(3)	Research Elective (see advisor)
	Select 3 units from the following:
	NURS 150*	Research in Nursing (NURS 12; Corequisite: NURS 123 and NURS 129 or instructor permission.
	NURS 195	Field Study (Instructor permission) OR
	SOC 102A	Research Methods in Sociology (SOC 101 or equivalent) OR
	SWRK 111*	Research Methods and Program Evaluation (SWRK 110; Corequisite: SWRK 140B or SWRK 140C)
*Gerontology students only need permission of the instructor and senior status. B. Required Interdisciplinary Core (21 units)
(3)	BIO 120	Biology of Aging (BIO 1, BIO 2, BIO 10 or BIO 20)
(3)	ETHN 133	Crosscultural Aging in America
(3)	FACS 147	Financial and Legal Aspects of Aging (FACS 141 or instructor permission)
(3)	NURS 163	Holistic Approach to Aging (Passing score on WPE)
(3)	PSYC 151	Psychological Aspects of Death and Dying
(3)	RPTA 116	Therapeutic Recreation Principles and Practices (RPTA 106 or instructor permisison; RPTA 106 may be taken concurrently)
(3)	SWRK 151	Health Services and Systems
C. Electives (9 units)
(9) Select 9 units from the following; not more than 6 units in any one of the following areas:
Applied Service/Administration
	GERO 199	Special Problems
	HLSC 116	Public Health Administration and Policy
	KINS 136	Sport and Aging
	HROB 101	The Management of Contemporary Organizations
General Focus
	FACS 119	Nutrition and Aging (FACS 10, FACS 159 or instructor permission)
	FACS 159	Adulthood and Aging in Human Development (A human development course or instructor permission)
	HLSC 150	Aging and Health
	PSYC 150	Psychological Aspects of Aging (PSYC 1 or PSYC 5)
	SOC 102B	Research Methods Laboratory (SOC 101 or equivalent; SOC 102A)

Notes:

• Additional optional courses which are recommended to support the Gerontology major are GERO 21, GERO l00, BIO 20, CHDV 30, FACS 50, FACS 141, NURS 10, PSYC 5, SOC 1, STAT 1.
• Major Core courses have the potential of offering a one unit Service Learning option for each of the three theory courses. These units could be combined and serve as one elective (GERO 199) if there is an approved written plan by the student and academic advisor.
  

Units required for Minor: 21
Minimum grade required: “C” or better in all Gerontology Minor courses.

A. Required Lower Division Courses

There are no specific lower division course requirements. Students must complete at least 45 units of college or university work before becoming eligible to enroll in the program. Students are also encouraged to meet with the Program Director for advising prior to enrolling in any gerontology classes.

CAREER POSSIBILITIES

Counselor · Adult Protective Services · Assessment/Intake Case Worker · California Department of Aging · Case Manager · Consultant · Department of Health Services · Department of Social Services-Older Adult Educator · Guardian/Conservator Staff · Information and Referral Specialist · Legal Aid Assistant · Ombudsman/Advocate · Program Activities Director · Program Specialist · Senior Community Outreach · Geriatric Social Worker · Geriatric Clinical Nurse · Rehabilitation/Job Training Agencies · Senior Retirement/Adult Day Care Centers · Area Agencies on Aging

FACULTY Sam Rios, Ethnic Studies; Jan Andersen, Family and Consumer Sciences; Jennifer Park, Jennifer Piatt, Melinda Seid, Patricia Woodward, Kinesiology and Health Science; Tanya Altman, Nursing; Cheryl Osborne, Gerontology and Nursing ; John Strother, Social Work; Qiaoming Amy Liu, Randall MacIntosh, Sociology CONTACT INFORMATION Cheryl Osborne, Director El Dorado Hall 1030 (916) 278-7163, FAX: (916) 278-3855 www.csus.edu/gero

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