Students

Undergraduate Programs

Gerontology Certificate

CSULB is one of 10 CSU schools that offers an undergraduate certificate in Gerontology. The certificate is a 24-unit, upper-division program that addresses the interdisciplinary nature ofthe Gerontology field with required courses from Anthropology, Psychology or Human Development, and elective choices from departments across campus. Students from ANY major are eligible to add the certificate to their program of study. At the completion of the Gerontology certificate you will be able to:

  1. Apply gerontology concepts and principles within your field of study
  2. Initiate techniques to dispel ageism within your field of study
  3. Apply theories of adult growth and development, biological changes with aging, and culture and aging within your field of study
  4. Apply concepts and skills related to aging in field experiences with older adults and families

Gerontology Minor

CSULB is one of 10 CSU campuses to offer a minor in Gerontology. The minor is a 15-unit program that provides students with aspecialization that can be applied to their major area of study. In addition to 2 required Gerontology courses and an internship, students may choose among a comprehensive list of electives from departments across campus. Upon completion of the Gerontology minor, students will be able to: 

  1. Relate gerontology concepts and principles to issues within their major field of study
  2. Explain ageism within their major field of study and generate techniques to dispel ageism and age-based discrimination
  3. Apply theories of adult growth and development, biological changes with aging, and culture and aging within their major field of study, using the biopsychosocial model as an organizing framework
  4. Apply concepts and skills related to aging in field experiences with older adults and families

Students working on either the certificate or minor complete a 120-hour internship to reinforce classroom material and provide a hands-on opportunity to work with older adults in a variety of settings such as senior centers, assisted living facilities, hospice, non-profit organizations, and government settings. Many courses include a service learning component, providing additional opportunities for real-life, real-time, out-of-classroom learning.

 

Gerontology Certificate

Students from any major who are eligible to take upper-division coursework and have a minimum 2.5 GPA are welcome to apply for the Gerontology certificate. To add the Gerontology certificate to your program of study, consult with your major advisor, then contact the Gerontology Program undergraduate advisor or visit the CHHS Academic Advising Center (HSD - 117).

Gerontology Minor

Students may add the Gerontology minor to their program of study after consulting with their major advisor and then either contacting the Gerontology Program undergraduate advisor or visiting CHHS Academic Advising.

The Gerontology certificate will provide you with an interdisciplinary perspective about the biological, psychological, social and cultural aspects of aging. Required courses include:

  • Gerontology 400: Perspectives on Gerontology (meets GE Capstone requirement)
  • Anthropology 454: Culture and Aging
  • Psychology 365: Psychology of Adult Development and Aging OR Human Development 357: Approaches to Adulthood through Aging (meets GE Capstone requirement)
  • Gerontology 401: Human Aging OR Gerontology 482: Health Assessment & the Aging Client
  • Gerontology 492g: Internship in Gerontology (120 hours)
  • Three (3) electives (9 units)

Note: You may double count an unlimited number of courses also taken for your major, etc.

 

Requirements advising sheet can be found by visiting: /sites/default/files/u53006/gern_cert_19-20.pdf

The Gerontology minor is designed to enhance the understanding of the aging process as it applies to a major field of study. Required courses include:

  • Gerontology 200: Journey of Aging
  • Gerontology 400: Perspectives on Aging
  • Gerontology 492g: Internship in Gerontology (120 hours)
  • Two (2) electives 

Note: You may double count an unlimited number of courses also taken for your major, etc. You may transfer in up to 6 units from another educational institution.

 

Requirements advising sheet can be found by visiting: /sites/default/files/u53006/gern_minor_19-20.pdf

Students receive individualized advising through the semester as needed by the Gerontology Program advisor. They may also seek advising through the CHHS Academic Advising Center.

Sigma Phi Omega is a national gerontology honors society. At CSULB, we are called the “Gerontology Honor Society.” The mission of Sigma Phi Omega is to promote scholarship, professionalism, friendship and services to older persons and to advance the education of those individuals in aging-related fields. The annual membership fee, which includes an official pin and certificate, is $25.00. Undergraduate students are eligible to join with a minimum 3.3 GPA. For more information, please contact the Gerontology Honor Society Faculty Advisor, Ms. Miriam Henan.

If you have any questions, please contact Gerontology Program Director, Dr. Maria Claver.

Graduate Programs

Masters of Science in Gerontology (MSG)

The Masters of Science in Gerontology Program provides a flexible interdisciplinary curriculum that gives new and seasoned professionals the competencies necessary for success in the field of aging. It provides experiential as well as didactic graduate education and professional training in gerontology for individuals planning to become professionals in public and private agencies. It provides field experiences to enhance understanding of concepts, themes, and skills related to aging at various life stages, within different gender and racial/ethnic groups and among people with various abilities. Students gain knowledge and skills necessary to plan, develop and implement innovative programs to meet the needs of the growing aging population locally, state-wide, nationally, and internationally. Students are supported in exploring aging-related professional values and ethics. 

The Gerontology Programs and Center for Successful Aging are supported by over 40 faculty in more than 20 departments throughout the campus who offer more than 35 courses related to aging.

Upon completion of the Masters of Science in Gerontology, students will:

1. Acquire advanced education and professional training in gerontology in order to assume leadership positions in governmental, for- profit, and non-profit programs and services at the federal, state, and/or local level.

2. Enhance cultural and intergenerational competence regarding age, cohort, gender, race and ethnicity, and/or diverse abilities.

3. Acquire expertise in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating programs for older persons based on systematic needs assessment at the individual, community, and/or agency level using appropriate technology.

4. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate or conduct appropriate research.

5. Exercise sound professional judgment based on ethical standards and expectations of the field.

6. Develop professional identity as a gerontologist to effectively work with an interdisciplinary team.

7. Participate in professional field experiences in gerontology to apply concepts and skills related to aging at various life stages.

8. Develop advocacy skills to participate in policy formation, implementation, and analysis on the local, state, and federal level for aging related issues. 

Program Requirements:

Prerequisites (can be taken during Year One of program): GERN 400 or equivalent, upper division statistics

Core Courses (6 required, 18 units) 

GERN 500: Professional Practice of Gerontology

GERN 582: Health Assessment of the Aging Client

GERN 563 Evaluation in Gerontology

GERN 592: Internship

GERN 600: Seminar in Program Administration

GERN 696: Research Methods (prerequisite Stats)

Electives (4 required, 12 units): 4 additional 500/600 level courses

Thesis/Directed Project (6 units)

GERN 697 (3 units): Directed Research

GERN 692: (project) OR GERN 698: (Thesis) (3 units)

Post-Baccalaureate Gerontology Certificate

At the completion of the Gerontology certificate you will be able to:

  1. Apply gerontology concepts and principles within your field of study
  2. Initiate techniques to dispel ageism within your field of study
  3. Apply theories of adult growth and development, biological changes with aging, and culture and aging within your field of study
  4. Apply concepts and skill related to aging in field experiences with older adults and families

To be eligible to apply for either the MS Gerontology Program or Post-Baccalaureate Gerontology certificate, students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, be in good standing at the last college attended, having a passing score on the CSU Writing Proficiency Examination (which may be completed during the first semester in residence), and have an overall 3.0 grade average in the last 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of the degree. Student with less than the required GPA and who meet all other requirements may be admitted conditionally, with the expectation that the student will maintain a B average.

 

To apply to the MS Gerontology Program or Post-Baccalaureate Gerontology certificate Program:

 

Complete a university graduate application through CSU Apply. International students should contact the Center of International Education. You will be able to upload the following supplemental materials into CSUApply:

 

a. Resume (including education, employment, volunteer activities),

b. Personal Statement (regarding your interest in aging and career goals),

c. Three Letters of Recommendation (from aging-related career professionals, college professors, and/or other employers, reflecting your academic potential and personal qualifications)

 

Note: GRE is not required for admission.

 

The application deadline for Fall Admission is June 1 of each year. The application deadline for Spring Admission is October 1 of each year.

To be considered for financial aid, students must file the FAFSA form to the university financial aid office by the national deadline (https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa).

 

Fellowships, scholarships, and other forms of financial assistance from university, federal, state, local and private sources are available. More information about all forms of financial support can be obtained from the CSULB Financial Aid Office in Brotman Hall.

 

The Gerontology Program Scholarship is for a student enrolled in the Masters, Certificate or Minor program. All CSULB scholarship applications are processed through the CSULB Center for Scholarship Information (/student-affairs/center-scholarship-information).

Sigma Phi Omega is a national gerontology honors society. At CSULB, we are called the “Gerontology Honor Society.” The mission of Sigma Phi Omega is to promote scholarship, professionalism, friendship and services to older persons and to advance the education of those individuals in aging-related fields. The annual membership fee, which includes an official pin and certificate, is $25.00. Graduate students are eligible to join with a minimum 3.5 GPA. For more information, please contact the Gerontology Honor Society Faculty Advisor, Ms. Miriam Henan.

If you have any questions about either the Masters of Science in Gerontology Program or the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Gerontology Program, please contact the Gerontology Program Director, Dr. Maria Claver.