GERONTOLOGY
College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies
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 coursework, 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
Special Features
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 Major Core Courses (24 units)
(3) |
Elder Care Continuum Services and Strategies |
|
(3) |
Social Policy for an Aging Society (GOVT 1 or GOVT 150 or equivalent) |
|
(3) |
Applied Care Management in Gerontology Practice |
|
(3) |
Models for Successful Aging |
|
(3) |
Managing Disorders in Elders (GERO 121) |
|
(3) |
Gerontology Practicum (24 Major units including GERO 101, GERO 102, GERO 103, GERO 121, GERO 122 and instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Gerontology Capstone Practicum (36 Major units including GERO 101, GERO 102, GERO 103, GERO 121, GERO 122, GERO 130 and instructor permission) |
(3) Research Elective (see advisor)
Select 3 units from the following:
(3) |
Quantitative Economic Analysis (ECON 1A, ECON 1B and STAT 1 with a minimum "C" grade |
|
(3) |
Research in Ethnic Studies (One upper division Ethnic Studies course) |
|
(3) |
Basics of Nursing Research and Application (Acceptance into the RN to BSN program or Instructor permission; Corequisite: NURS 171 and NURS 173) |
|
| (3) | Qualitative Research in Psychology (PSYC 101; Psychology and Gerontology majors only) |
|
(3) |
Research and Evaluation in Recreation, Parks and Tourism (RPTA 1 and RPTA 30) |
|
(4) |
Research Design and Analysis (SOC 101) |
|
(3) |
Research Methods and Program Evaluation (SWRK 110; Corequisite: SWRK 140B or SWRK 140C) |
*Gerontology students will be allowed to enroll without prerequisites but need senior status.
B. Interdisciplinary Core (15 units)
(3) |
Crosscultural Aging in America |
|
(3) |
Family Finance |
|
(3) |
Psychological Aspects of Death and Dying |
|
(3) |
Recreation Therapy and Contemporary Aspects of Disability (RPTA 106; RPTA 106 may be taken concurrently) |
|
(3) |
Health Services and Systems |
*Gerontology students will be permitted to enroll without prerequisites
C. Electives (9 units)
(1-3) |
Special Problems (Advanced approval of project goal and objectives by program director) |
|
(3) |
Public Health Administration and Policy |
|
(3) |
The Management of Contemporary Organizations |
|
(3) |
Sport and Aging |
|
(3) |
Writing in the Social Sciences (GWAR Certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X) |
|
(3) |
Nutrition and Metabolism (BIO 10 or BIO 20; and CHEM 1A or CHEM 6A) |
|
(3) |
Nutrition: Adolescence Through Older Adulthood (FACS 107 and FACS 113) |
|
(3) |
Family Stress and Coping: Multicultural Focus (FACS 50 or equivalent with instructor permission; GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X) |
|
(3) |
Adulthood and Aging in Human Development (A human development course or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Aging Issues in Contemporary America |
|
(3) |
Aging and Health |
|
(3) |
Psychological Aspects of Aging (PSYC 2) |
|
(3) |
Psychological Aspects of Health, Wellness, and Illness (PSYC 2 and PSYC 8) |
|
(3) |
Sociology of Aging |
Notes:
- Additional optional courses which are recommended to support the Gerontology major are GERO 21, BIO 20, CHDV 30, FACS 50, FACS 113, NURS 10, PSYC 2, PSYC 8, RPTA 106, SOC 1, SOC 101, STAT 1, SWRK 110.
- Major Core courses have the potential of offering a one unit Service
Learning (SL) option for each of the three theory courses (GERO
102, GERO
121 and GERO
122 that do not already include SL. 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 prior to enrolling in the course.
Requirements - Minor
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.
B. Required Upper Division Courses (21 units)
(3) |
Crosscultural Aging in America or other multicultural aging course |
|
(3) |
Adulthood and Aging in Human Development (A human development course or instructor permission) OR |
|
(3) |
Models for Successful Aging OR |
|
(3) |
Managing Disorders in Elders (GERO 121) |
|
(3) |
Aging Issues in Contemporary America |
|
(3) |
Elder Care Continuum Services and Strategies |
|
(3) |
Social Policy for an Aging Society (GOVT 1 or GOVT 150 or equivalent) |
|
(3) |
Applied Care Management in Gerontology Practice |
|
(3) |
Gerontology Capstone Practicum (36 Major units including GERO 101, GERO 102, GERO 103, GERO 121, GERO 122, GERO 130 and instructor permission) |
GRADUATE PROGRAM
Certificate - Gerontology
Units required for the certificate: 18*
Candidates must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 in courses submitted for the certificate.
*Graduate students wishing to pursue independent study focusing on aspects of Gerontology are encouraged to also take GERO 299: Special Problems.
Information on Eligibility
Students must either be in a graduate degree program at Sacramento State or must apply for graduate admission to the University.
Required Courses (18 units)
(3) |
Elder Care Continuum Services and Strategies |
|
(3) |
Adaptation to Age Related Changes, Illnesses and Caregiving |
|
(3) |
Models for Successful Aging |
|
(3) |
Managing Disorders in Elders (GERO 121) |
|
(3) |
(3) Choose one of the following:
|
Social Policy for an Aging Society (GOVT 1 or GOVT 150 or equivalent) |
|
|
Applied Care Management in Gerontology Practice |
Potential 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
Cheryl Osborne, Donna Jensen, Gerontology, Patricia Woodward, Kinesiology and Health Science; Ann Moylan, Family and Consumer Sciences; Sue Taylor, Social Work
Contact Information
Cheryl Osborne, Director
Laura Emerson, Administrative Support Coordinator
Benicia Hall 1018
(916) 278-7163, FAX: (916) 278-3855
laura.emerson@csus.edu
www.csus.edu/gero
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