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Future Gerontology Students
Thank you for your interest in the Gerontology Program at Sacramento State. Please read about our Prospective Student Advising on this page. Explore the rest of our website to gain a full view of what the Gerontology Program at Sacramento State has to offer!
Admission to the Gerontology Programs
Why choose Gerontology?
Gerontology is a dynamic field focused on understanding the aging process and improving the quality of life for older adults. It offers diverse career opportunities in healthcare, social services, research, policy development, and more.
Program Overview Our Gerontology programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to succeed in this growing field. Whether you're interested in direct patient care, research, administration, or advocacy, our programs offer specialized tracks to match your career goals.
All Students interested in our program:
Before applying for one of our programs, if you are interested please attend a Prospective Student Advising Session to meet Dr. Jensen, find out more about the various programs we offer, and receive advising.
Bachelors Program
Bachelor of Science in Gerontology:
- Visit Admissions and Outreach for application due dates.
- Apply online to California State University, Sacramento and declare your major as Gerontology. Or, if you have already been admitted to another bachelor's program, email ssis-gero-sc@csus.edu to start the major change.
- Schedule an advising session or make an appointment with Dr. Abah for major advising and to plan your coursework.
- Be sure to attend orientation.
- You will receive instructions from the University about paying your tuition fees and registering for courses via My Sac State
Minor In Gerontology
Minor in Gerontology:
- Declare a minor when you apply to an undergraduate program at Sacramento State. (Note: You may not declare a major and minor in the same discipline.) OR
- Email ssis-gero-sc@csus.edu to discuss the declaration of minor.
- You will receive instructions from the University about paying tuition fees and registering for courses via My Sac State.
Graduate Program
The Gerontology Graduate Programs offer two programs that assist students, professionals, and those interested in aging studies in furthering their education in Gerontology: Gerontology Graduate Certificate and Gerontology Special Masters Degree.
Graduate Certificate
Gerontology Graduate Certificate program provides in-depth knowledge and practical experience in aging services, preparing students to work with older adults and their families. This program equips students with the skills to address the growing needs of diverse older adult populations and prepares them for leadership roles in aging services.
The 15-unit program covers key topics, including:
- Older Adult Services and Strategies (GERO 101): Analyzes the continuum of services for older adults, focusing on public policy, care management, and service accessibility.
- Strategies for Optimal Aging (GERO 221): Explores interdisciplinary approaches to promoting healthy aging, examining factors like diet, exercise, social networks, and spirituality.
- Interprofessional Health Care for Older Adults (GERO 222): Focuses on evidence-based strategies to address health issues in older adults, including holistic care and ethical considerations.
- Equity in California Aging Policy & Practice (GERO 225): Reviews California's aging services and policies with a focus on equity and inclusion, preparing students to engage underserved communities.
- Internship/Project (GERO 295): A supervised, hands-on fieldwork experience applying gerontological theories in a real-world setting.
Graduate Certificate course list
Special Master's in Gerontology:
- Schedule an appointment with Dr. Jensen approximately one year before your anticipated start date in the Special Master's program. She will help you choose a faculty committee, plan your coursework, complete your Special Master's application and keep you informed of application deadlines.
- Take the General Subject GRE (Graduate Record Exam)*. Exam scores should be from the last 10 years and must include a writing component. No specific score is required. The test is used as a diagnostic tool to be sure students are ready for graduate-level coursework. Supplemental coursework may be recommended based on students' scores.
*Note: Students who, within the past 10 years, have successfully completed a Master's Degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher do not need to take the GRE. - Submit a Gerontology Program Application to the Gerontology Program Office. Be sure to send us copies of your GRE scores if applicable.
- Complete a draft of the Graduate Special Major Application and Special Major Declaration and make an appointment with Dr. Jensen to discuss the application and determine the next steps.
- Submit the completed Graduate Special Major Application and Special Major Declaration, along with 2 copies of all college transcripts, to the Gerontology Program office.
- You'll be notified by the department when to apply online via CSU Mentor.
- You will receive instructions from the University about paying your tuition fees and registering for courses via My Sac State
Required Courses: 18 units
(3 units) GERO 200 Adaptation to Age Related Changes, Illnesses and Caregiving
(3 units) GERO 221 Strategies for Optimal Aging
(3 units) GERO 222 Interprofessional Approaches to Health Care in Older Adults
(3 units) GERO 295 Internship/Project
(3 units) GERO 101 Older Adult Services & Strategies
(3 units) GERO 102 Social Policy for an Aging Society
OR
GERO 103 Applied Care Management in Gerontology Practice
(1-6 units) GERO 299* Special Problems
*This course is optional, and is for students interested in advanced, independent study in a particular area.
The CSUS Gerontology Special Master's Program is an individualized graduate program. Because there is no set curriculum for the program, each student meets with the Program Director to discuss his or her unique needs and goals. With permission from the Director, students will combine a concentration in Gerontology with a secondary academic discipline of their choice, and will title their own degree. In the past, students have chosen disciplines such as psychology, sociology, education, therapeutic recreation, ethnic studies, marketing, and public policy to enhance their degree in Gerontology.
Careers in Gerontology
As people live longer, and the United States population continues to grow older, the need for understanding how to work with and for the elder population becomes more and more important. Even if you are working on a degree in another field, consider a minor, and boost your career opportunities.
Gerontology Job Roles: (adapted from AGHE)
Some professionals work directly with older persons. Their activities may include:
- Developing programs such as health promotion, senior theater groups, or intergenerational activities for older persons in senior centers, community agencies, or retirement communities.
- Providing direct care to frail, ill, or impaired older persons in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or through adult day care or home.
- Counseling older persons and their families about issues of caregiving, employment, death and dying or mental health.
- Advising older clients about estate planning and investments, financing long-term care or housing options.
Other professionals are less directly involved with older persons, but work on their behalf, educate others or investigate issues in the field of aging. Examples of their activities include:
- Conducting research on the aging processes and diseases associated with aging such as Alzheimer's disease or osteoporosis.
- Analyzing issues related to older persons such as retirement. opportunities, income maintenance, the health care system and housing alternatives.
- Planning, administering and evaluating community-based services and service delivery systems for older persons.
- Teaching courses on aging to college and university students, health care professionals and older adults.
- Designing products to meet the special needs of older persons.
- Advising business, industry and labor regarding older workers and consumers.
Some professionals devote themselves full-time to the field of aging; others divide their time between aging and other areas of interest within their disciplinary, professional or clinical areas.
