Gerontology, Certificate of Achievement
3_CN_GERO
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 of 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 (714) 241-2613 at Coastline College 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 (714) 241-6213 at Coastline College 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 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 settings.
- Support opinions/ideas using solid research principles.
Certificate Graduation Requirements
A Certificate is awarded upon completion of the required coursework with a grade of C or higher in each course. To receive the certificate, the student must file a petition for graduation during his/her final semester. In addition:
Certificate of Achievement
- Student must be in attendance at the time requirements are completed.
- Students must also earn a minimum of 12 units of coursework at Coastline, excluding experiential credit.
- A student with prior experience may be excused from certain certificate courses.
- 50 percent of the certificate program’s units must be completed at Coastline no matter how the total number of units required for the certificate can be met.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core 1 | ||
| Students will complete all of 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 | Professional Issues in Gerontology | 3 |
| Red Cross Standard First Aid/CPR Card 2 | ||
| Program Electives 3 | ||
| Select a minimum of six units of the following: | 6 | |
| Nutrition and Aging | ||
or GERO C225 | Nutrition and Aging | |
| 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 |
| Total 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 Professional Issues in Gerontology 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. |