Gerontology, Associate of Arts Degree
Banner Code: 3_AA_GERO
Control Number: 07510
Financial Aid Eligible
Gerontology, the interdisciplinary study of aging, offers students an understanding of their own aging and of society’s response to the increasing population of older people. Biological, psychological, and sociological aspects of aging are explored. The coursework for the Certificate of Achievement in Gerontology will provide information about the aging process and training to work in services and agencies that interact with older people. Many of the courses are cross disciplinary and, therefore, can count towards the Certificate of Achievement as well as the general education requirements for the A.A. Degree. Coursework will also transfer as elective and general education requirements to a four-year institution.
Students have the option of completing the 21-unit Certificate of Achievement in Gerontology on its own or in conjunction with the A.A. degree. Those seeking new careers in gerontology and/or transfer to a four-year institution should complete the Associate in Arts Degree requirements in conjunction with those for the Gerontology Certificate of Achievement.
Coastline College students completing the A.A. Degree and Gerontology Certificate of Achievement qualify for our degree partnership with CSUF. For information about the Coastline College/Cal State Fullerton degree partnership in human services and gerontology call Coastline College at (714) 241-2613 or Human Services Office, CSUF, (714) 278-2255.
Coastline College and CSU Long Beach have a partnership that allows a maximum of 6 units (SOC C120 Introduction to Gerontology and 3 units of elective courses) to be applied to CSULB's 15 unit Gerontology Minor. Contact Coastline College at (714) 241-6213 or the Gerontology Department at CSULB for further information.
Program Level Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Apply major gerontology theories and principles of the field to everyday life and determine the impact of these theories on the aging individual and/or society as a whole.
- Apply effective communication skills in a variety of gerontology settings.
- Support opinions/ideas using solid gerontology research principles.
Associate Degree Requirements
Unit Requirement
Complete at least 60 units of acceptable college work with a minimum of 12 units completed in residence at Coastline. Earn an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher from all colleges attended and a 2.0 or higher grade point average at Coastline.
*Students must be in good academic standing (not on probation and/or disqualification) during the semester graduation is petitioned.
Program of Study
Complete the required courses in one of the programs as detailed In the Requirements for the Major section of this catalog. All coursework must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
General Education
Complete one of the three General Education options below (visit the General Education page for details):
Option 1 — AA/AS Local Degree GE: designed for students pursuing an Associate degree and who may or may not be planning to transfer to a four-year university. The degree is transferable to many colleges and universities.
Option 2—CSU GE Breadth: designed for students who are planning to transfer to a university in the CSU system. It may also be appropriate for transfer to some independent colleges and universities.
Option 3—IGETC: designed for students who are planning to transfer to a university in the CSU or UC system. It also may be appropriate for transfer to some independent colleges and universities.
Global and Multicultural Studies Requirement
Complete at least 2.5 units from any Global and Multicultural Studies courses. See what courses fulfill the Global and Multicultural Studies Requirement.
Course | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Required Core 1 | ||
Complete the following: | ||
BIOL C120 | Biology of Aging | 3 |
or GERO C122 | Biology of Aging | |
PSYC C170 | Psychology of Aging | 3 |
or GERO C170 | Psychology of Aging | |
SOC C120 | Introduction to Gerontology | 3 |
or GERO C121 | Introduction to Gerontology | |
GERO C220 | Controversies and Ethical Issues in Aging | 3 |
or HSVC C220 | Controversies and Ethical Issues in Aging | |
Red Cross Standard First Aid/CPR Card 2 | ||
Program Electives 3 | ||
Select a minimum of six units of the following: | 6 | |
Nutrition through the Lifecycle | ||
or GERO C225 | Nutrition through the Lifecycle | |
Home Care | ||
Issues in Gerontology | ||
Issues in Gerontology | ||
Issues in Gerontology | ||
Issues in Gerontology | ||
Care of Frail Elderly | ||
Aging in a Multicultural Society | ||
Healthy Aging | ||
or GERO C223 | Healthy Aging | |
Probate Administration/Estate Planning | ||
Elder Law | ||
Program Field Courses 1 | ||
Complete the following course: | ||
GERO C273 | Careers in Gerontology - A Field Practicum | 3 |
Units Required for Major | 21 |
1 | Some courses in the program are not offered every semester. GERO C131 Home Care, GERO C273 Careers in Gerontology - A Field Practicum, and GERO C240 Aging in a Multicultural Society are offered once per year, usually in the fall semester. GERO C220 Controversies and Ethical Issues in Aging/HSVC C220 Controversies and Ethical Issues in Aging and GERO C230 Care of Frail Elderly are offered once per year, usually in the spring semester. Plan your full schedule with the timing of your courses in mind. |
2 | Additional Requirement: Students must obtain a current Red Cross Standard First Aid/CPR Card. |
3 | Students wishing to work in Home Care should select GERO C131 Home Care and GERO C230 Care of Frail Elderly as their electives. |
Requirement | Units |
---|---|
Units for Major Preparation | 21 |
Local General Education, CSU General Education, or IGETC pattern | Varies |
Electives to satisfy unit requirement | Varies |
Total Degree Units | 60 |