SJSU Catalog

Gerontology Program

Introduction

Gerontology is the study of various aspects of aging. Aging is a vital concern because of the significant increase in the older population in the United States. This population has grown from 1 in 25 Americans in the beginning of the twentieth century to more than 1 in 8 Americans today. By 2030, that proportion will grow to 1 in 5, creating an unprecedented demand for gerontological knowledge and skills. The Gerontology Program helps students to gain a broad understanding of the aging process and the social implications of an aging society and prepares students for professional careers in services/programs benefiting older adults and their families.

The Gerontology Program, housed in the Health Science Department, is interdisciplinary, drawing from courses in departments across the university. It offers a general education course that addresses issues that students face in their personal, public, and professional lives in our aging society (GERO 107). The program offers a B.S. in Health Science with a Gerontology Concentration for undergraduates who seek employment in various health and aging-related fields. It also offers a minor to prepare undergraduate students in any major for careers working with older adults in such areas as long term care, aging/community services, housing, recreation, counseling, business and other fields. Post baccalaureate students who are prospective or current workers in aging-related positions may earn a Certificate in Applied Social Gerontology. Required courses are scheduled to accommodate the needs of working students.

Students at all levels have opportunities to gain practical experience and provide community service through internships that are available in more than 70 health, aging/human service, educational, and other aging organizations in the Bay Area. Recent graduates have been placed in a wide range of jobs in health and long term care, senior housing, case management, community education, social services, and other aging-related occupations.

Faculty members include a blend of full-time professors with appointments in various departments and experienced professionals who teach part time in their areas of expertise.

Advising

• Gerontology faculty serve as advisors to all concentration, minor and certificate students. The director works closely with other departments that offer gerontology courses to help students select those courses that fit their individual goals.
• The fieldwork coordinator helps students in the concentration, minor and certificate programs to locate appropriate placements for internship experiences in various community organizations.

Transferring Credit/Units

• Community college and other lower division courses are not directly equivalent to SJSU gerontology courses, since all the SJSU courses are upper division. However, lower division gerontology courses will be evaluated on a case-by- case basis. A maximum of 6 units of lower division coursework may be applied to the minor or certificate programs with advisor approval.
• Upper division credit in gerontology can be applied to requirements for the minor and certificate programs. However, 9 units of course work must be earned at the SJSU campus for the minor and 12 units for the certificate.
• Credit in gerontology earned while in graduate standing at an accredited university may be applied to elective requirements for the certificate program with advisor approval. However, 12 units of course work must be earned at SJSU for the certificate.