Gerontology

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OFFICE: Hepner Hall 119
TELEPHONE: 619-594-6865 / FAX: 619-594-5991

Undergraduate Information

Faculty

Emeritus: DuBois, Harbert, Stanford
Director: Min
Professors: Garrett, Min
Associate Professors: Ko, Li

The Major

Gerontology concerns itself with the study and application of knowledge about the physical, social, and economic conditions of older people. Since the process of aging touches all aspects of human activity, gerontology is interdisciplinary in nature. Gerontology is becoming a major area of research in the biological, behavioral, and social sciences. With a rapid increase of older people, has come a growing need for more trained professionals to apply new knowledge about the elderly. Such knowledge is needed for planning and developing programs and services which improve the quality of life for older Americans.

Gerontological training and research is an important link in meeting the social, physical, and psychological needs of the elderly. Students of gerontology benefit through the personal understanding of their own aging process. Those wishing to pursue careers in aging will find many exciting opportunities for serving the elderly in a variety of settings.

It is through research, teaching, and community involvement that faculty members from numerous disciplines provide for the intellectual development of students, the enhancement of community programs, and the assurance of a better quality of life for older people in the community, the state, and the nation.

Program Goals

• Provide academic programs and experiences through courses and field experiences, leading to an undergraduate degree in a major and minor in gerontology.
• Provide interdisciplinary education and training that meet the diverse needs of older people in California and in the U.S.
• Prepare students as generalist gerontologists for careers in a variety of gerontological settings such as senior centers, senior service organizations, area and state agencies on aging, supportive senior housing, public, non-profit and corporate settings, health and long term care facilities.
• Provide students with knowledge of aging network and programs on the local, state, and federal level.
• Provide students with knowledge and skills to identify and understand stereotypes and attitude toward older adults, and emphasize their places and contributions in society.
• Prepare students with knowledge needed in describing, assessing and critiquing various programs, interventions and services designed for older adults.
• Prepare students to meet the needs of older adults with cultural competence regarding age, gender, race and ethnicity, and/or diverse abilities.
• Prepare students for evidence-based practice with older adults with appropriate research methods to develop, implement, and evaluate the aging programs and services.

Program Outcomes

• Describe the process of physical (biological), psychological, social aging, and related theories of aging.
• Know about the diverse needs of the older population in terms of age, gender, race and ethnicity, and/or diverse abilities.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the aging network consisting of programs and policies for the aging population.
• Describe and understand own attitudes toward and beliefs about old age and older adults, and reflect and analyze stereotypes or attitudes towards old adults in the portrayal of aging by society.
• Understand basic concepts of research methods necessary to describe and discuss efficacy and effectiveness of the services and program for older adults as guided and informed by empirical evidence.
• Develop effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills with individuals, caregivers, families, and community through professional field experiences.
• Demonstrate case management skills such as interviewing, assessment, and report writing.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding necessary to describe, assess, and critique various programs, interventions and services to meet the needs of the growing aging population.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to advocate for the needs of older adults and their families by engaging in policy formation, implementation, and analysis.
• Understand the ethical complexities that surround issues with respect to aging.

Advising

All College of Health and Human Services majors are urged to consult with their department adviser as soon as possible; they are required to meet with their department adviser within the first semester after declaration or change of major.

Retention Policy

The College of Health and Human Services expects that all gerontology majors will make reasonable academic progress towards the degree. Gerontology premajors who have completed major preparatory courses, earned 60 units, but have less than a 2.0 GPA may be removed from the premajor and placed in undeclared.

Impacted Program

The gerontology major is an impacted program. To be admitted to the gerontology major, students must meet the following criteria:

1. Complete preparation for the major;
2. Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units;
3. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).

Major Academic Plans (MAPs)

Visit http://www.sdsu.edu/mymap for the recommended courses needed to fulfill your major requirements. The MAPs website was created to help students navigate the course requirements for their majors and to identify which General Education course will also fulfill a major preparation course requirement.

Graduate Information

Faculty

Jong Won Min, Ph.D., Professor of Social Work, Director of School
Mario D. Garrett, Ph.D., Professor of Social Work
Eunjeong Ko, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Social Work
Yawen Li, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Social Work

Assistantships

Graduate teaching and research assistantships in gerontology are available to a limited number of qualified students. Information regarding the availability of funds and the process for application may be obtained from the School of Social Work.

General Information

The Master of Science degree in gerontology is supported by interdisciplinary faculty from several departments. The program is administered by the School of Social Work. The primary goal of the Gerontology Graduate Program is to offer high-quality interdisciplinary education and training that focus on the core areas of gerontology such as theories of aging, aging policy, long-term care, research methodology, design, development, administration, and evaluation of programs for the aged. The program is committed to preparing students to enter positions in administration and management in a variety of organizations serving older adults. This goal will be accomplished by offering coursework and field experience aimed at providing the necessary knowledge and skills to encourage/promote gerontology competencies and evidence-based administration and management as related to older adults.

Admission to Graduate Study

The student must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the university with classified standing, as described in Admission and Registration . Students whose preparation is deemed insufficient by the gerontology admissions committee may be admitted as conditionally classified and will be required to complete specific courses in addition to the minimum 36 units required for the degree. Students from other disciplines are encouraged to apply. Applicants should have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) during the last 60 semester units of undergraduate college/university coursework. The grade point average must be in concurrence with Division of Graduate Affairs requirements for admission. Admission requirements are outlined in the graduate application package for an advanced degree in gerontology at San Diego State University.

Students applying for admission should electronically submit the university application available at http://www.calstate.edu/apply along with the application fee.

All applicants must submit admissions materials separately to SDSU Graduate Admissions and to the School of Social Work.

Graduate Admissions

The following materials should be submitted as a complete package directly to:

Graduate Admissions
Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-7416

1. Official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) from all postsecondary institutions attended;
   
   NOTE:
   • Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance.
   • Students with international coursework must submit both the official transcript and proof of degree. If documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
2. GRE scores (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682);
3. English language score, if medium of instruction was in a language other than English (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682).

School of Social Work

The following materials should be submitted by March 1 for the fall semester to:

School of Social Work
(Attention: Gerontology Graduate Adviser)
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4452

1. Three letters of reference in support of your application from academic references;
2. Personal statement outlining your goals, background, interests, and abilities;
3. Curriculum vitae or resume.

Advancement to Candidacy

All students must pass the general requirements for advancement to candidacy as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees . Advancement to candidacy is contingent upon classified graduate status, completion of 12 semester units with a minimum grade point average of 3.0, satisfactory completion of an oral examination with a minimum grade of B and approval of the Graduate Council. Advancement to candidacy will be conferred prior to graduation.

Programs

• Applied Gerontology Certificate
• Gerontology Minor
• Gerontology, B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Gerontology, M.S.

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