Units required for Major: 48
Total units required for BS: 120
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 and their families.
Minimum Grade Requirement
Students must receive a “C” or better in all major and multidisciplinary core/elective courses.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Major Core Courses (48 Units) | ||
| GERO 11 | Older Adult Services and Strategies | 3 |
| GERO 102/PPA 100 | Social Policy for an Aging Society | 3 |
| GERO 103 | Applied Care Management in Gerontological Practice | 3 |
| GERO 121 | Strategies for Optimal Aging | 3 |
| GERO 122 | Interprofessional Approaches to Health Care in Older Adults | 3 |
| GERO 130 | Gerontology Practicum | 3 |
| GERO 131 | Gerontology Capstone Practicum | 3 |
| Research Elective (see advisor) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Quantitative Economic Analysis | ||
| Research in Ethnic Studies | ||
| Research on Aging & the Life Course | ||
| Foundations for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice 1 | ||
| Research and Evaluation in Recreation, Parks and Tourism 1 | ||
| Research Methods in Sociology 1 | ||
| Research Methods and Program Evaluation 1 | ||
| Interdisciplinary Core | ||
| ETHN 133 | Crosscultural Aging in America | 3 |
| FACS 141 | Family Finance | 3 |
| PSYC 151 | Psychological Aspects of Death and Dying | 3 |
| RPTA 117 | Recreation Therapy and Contemporary Aspects of Disability 2 | 3 |
| Students will select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Health Services and Systems ( ) | ||
| Moving Toward Equity in California Aging Policy and Practice | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 9 units of the following: | 9 | |
| Aging Issues in Contemporary Society | ||
| Public Health Policy, Management & Administration | ||
| Understanding Human Sexuality | ||
| The Management of Contemporary Organizations | ||
| Sport And Aging | ||
| Family Stress and Coping: Multicultural Focus | ||
| Adulthood and Aging in Human Development | ||
| Nutrition And Metabolism | ||
| Nutrition: Adolescence Through Older Adulthood | ||
| Aging and Health | ||
| Psychological Aspects of Aging | ||
| Psychological Aspects of Health, Wellness, and Illness | ||
| Sociology of Aging | ||
| Special Problems | ||
| Total Units | 48 | |
- 1
Gerontology students will be allowed to enroll without prerequisites but need senior status.
- 2
Gerontology students will be permitted to enroll without prerequisites
- 3
Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/General Education Requirement.
Notes:
- Additional optional courses which are recommended to support the Gerontology major are the following:
Course List Code Title Units GERO 21 First Year Seminar: Becoming an Educated Person 3 BIO 20 Biology: A Human Perspective 3 CHAD 30 Human Development 3 FSHD 50 The Family and Social Issues 3 NURS 10 Health Care: Issues and Delivery Systems 3 PSYC 2 Introductory Psychology 3 PSYC 8 Methods of Psychology 3 RPTA 106 Introduction to Inclusive Recreation and Recreation Therapy 3 SOC 1 Principles of Sociology 3 SOC 101 Introduction to Statistics for Sociologists 4 STAT 1 Introduction to Statistics 3 SWRK 110 Statistics and Research for Social Workers 3 - 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.
General Education Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units) | ||
| A1 - Oral Communication | 3 | |
| A2 - Written Communication | 3 | |
| A3 - Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (13 Units) | ||
| B1 - Physical Science | 3 | |
| B2 - Life Forms | 3 | |
| B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) | 1 | |
| B4 - Math Concepts | 3 | |
| B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units) | ||
| C1 - Arts | 3 | |
| C2 - Humanities | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area D: The Individual and Society (6 Units) | ||
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 0 | |
| Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units) | ||
| Area E Course | 3 | |
| Area F: Ethnic Studies | ||
| Area F Course | ||
| Total Units | 43 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
Graduation Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (9 Units) | ||
| American Institutions: U.S. History | 3 | |
| American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive (WI) | 3 | |
| Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (9 Units) | ||
| English Composition II | 3 | |
| Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE) 2 | 0 | |
| Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 3 | 6 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
Required in Major; also satisfies Graduation Requirement.
- 3
If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html
The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.
Gerontology, BS: 4-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 3B - Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GERO 11 | Older Adult Services and Strategies | 3 |
| GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning (STAT 1 recommended) 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ENGL 20 | College Composition II | 3 |
| GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5A - Physical Science 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5C - Laboratory 2 | 1 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GERO 121 | Strategies for Optimal Aging | 3 |
| GERO Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GE Area 3A - Arts 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| GERO 102 | Social Policy for an Aging Society | 3 |
| GERO 103 | Applied Care Management in Gerontological Practice | 3 |
| GERO Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ETHN 133 | Crosscultural Aging in America | 3 |
| FACS 141 | Family Finance | 3 |
| GERO 122 | Interprofessional Approaches to Health Care in Older Adults | 3 |
| GERO Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| GERO 130 | Gerontology Practicum | 3 |
| PSYC 151 | Psychological Aspects of Death and Dying | 3 |
| GERO Research Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities + Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GERO 131 | Gerontology Capstone Practicum | 3 |
| RPTA 117 | Recreation Therapy and Contemporary Aspects of Disability | 3 |
| SWRK 151 or GERO 125 |
Health Services and Systems 3 or Moving Toward Equity in California Aging Policy and Practice |
3 |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 123 | |
Gerontology, BS: 2-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| ETHN 133 | Crosscultural Aging in America | 3 |
| GERO 102 | Social Policy for an Aging Society | 3 |
| GERO 121 | Strategies for Optimal Aging | 3 |
| GERO Research Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| FACS 141 | Family Finance | 3 |
| GERO 103 | Applied Care Management in Gerontological Practice | 3 |
| GERO 122 | Interprofessional Approaches to Health Care in Older Adults | 3 |
| GERO Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 19 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| GERO 130 | Gerontology Practicum | 3 |
| SWRK 151 or GERO 125 |
Health Services and Systems 3 or Moving Toward Equity in California Aging Policy and Practice |
3 |
| GERO Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities + Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences + American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GERO 131 | Gerontology Capstone Practicum | 3 |
| PSYC 151 | Psychological Aspects of Death and Dying | 3 |
| RPTA 117 | Recreation Therapy and Contemporary Aspects of Disability | 3 |
| GERO Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 65 | |
- 1.
Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.
- 2.
Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.
- 3.
Please see an academic advisor for elective options.