• Our Program
  • Our Mission
  • Program Description
  • Program Objectives
  • Minor
  • Bachelor of Science
  • Graduate Certificate
  • Special Masters
• Current Students
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 Program Director
 Cheryl Osborne

 Administrative Assistant
 Laurel Sunderman

 6000 J Street
 Sacramento, CA 95819-6096
 ELD 1030
 (916) 278-7163
 FAX: (916) 278-3855
 Email: sunderman@csus.edu

Admission to the
Gerontology Program

Bachelor of Science | Minor | Special Masters | Graduate Certificate | All Students

Bachelor of Science

1. Visit Admissions and Records for application due dates.
   
2. 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, submit a Change of Academic Program form to Admissions and Records.
3. Once admitted to the University and prior to beginning Gerontology coursework, submit a Gerontology Program Application to the Gerontology Program Office. Note: 2nd Bachelors students should complete the Program Application for Graduate Students.
4. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Osborne for major advising and to plan your coursework. Call 278-7163 or email Laurel Sunderman for appointment information.
5. Be sure to attend Orientation.
6. You will receive instructions from the University about paying your tuition fees and registering for courses via My Sac State.

Minor

1. 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
2. Submit a Change of Academic Program form to Admissions and Records to add or change your minor to Gerontology after you have been admitted.
3. Once admitted to the University or your Change of Academic Program form has been filed, submit a Gerontology Program Application to the Program Office.
4. You will receive instructions from the University about paying tuition fees and registering for courses via My Sac State.

Special Masters

1. Visit our website or Graduate Studies for application information and deadlines. (Look under "SP" for "Special Major".) Be aware that deadlines are very early, often close to a year in advance.
2. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Osborne at least one semester prior to the application deadline for advising. She will help you choose a faculty committee, plan your coursework, and complete your Special Master's application. Call 278-7163 or email Laurel Sunderman to schedule an appointment.
3. 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.
   
4. Apply online via CSU Mentor (accessible through the Office of Graduate Studies website), and submit the completed supplemental Special Master's application and other necessary materials (transcripts, etc) by the deadline.
5. Submit a Gerontology Program Application to the Program Office by the application deadline. Be sure to send us copies of your GRE scores if applicable.
6. You will recieve instructions from the University about paying your tuition fees and registering for courses via My Sac State.

Graduate Certificate

1. Certificate students may be enrolled in another graduate program on campus*, or they may apply to the University as a Certificate student. (Choose "GEROC" as the "Program Objective" in the CSU Mentor online application.) Students applying to the University will be required to submit two copies of college transcripts to the Office of Graduate Studies.
   *Note: Students already enrolled in a graduate program do not need to apply online again or submit new transcripts.
2. Check the Gerontology Program website for a detailed description of the application process and for specific application deadlines.
3. New students should apply online through CSU Mentor (via the Graduate Studies website) by the deadline.
4. All students (new and currently enrolled) must submit an Academic Certificate Course Verification Form (section I only) and a Gerontology Program Application to the Gerontology Office by the deadline.
5. All students (new and currently enrolled) must take the General Subject GRE (Graduate Record Exam)*. Scores must be submitted to the Gerontology Program Office by the application deadline. Exam scores must be from the past 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.
6. Students enrolled in the Certificate Program only (not taking the program concurrently with another on-campus graduate program) must complete the program in 4 semesters or risk being disenrolled by the Office of Graduate Studies. Meet with Dr. Osborne every semester for help with course planning.
7. Students will receive information from the University about paying tuition fees and registering for courses via My Sac State.

All Students

1. Before applying for one of our programs, attend a Prospective Student Advising Session to meet Dr. Osborne, find out more about the various programs we offer, and recieve advising.
2. Once enrolled, schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Osborne at least once every semester for advising, course-planning, etc. Call 916-278-7163 or email Laurel Sunderman for an appointment.
3. Once enrolled, be sure to check SacCT regularly. You should be enrolled in the "Gerontology Student Information Center." If you do not see this in your course list, please send your name and saclink username to Laurel Sunderman, and she will add you. This is the Program's primary mode of communication with students. Our office sends emails to students and posts announcements regularly. For more information about SacCT and the Gerontology Student Information Center, click here.
4. Check our website frequently for program updates, news, job postings, and other information.

Contact Information

California State University, Sacramento
Gerontology Program
El Dorado Hall 1030
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819-6096

Phone: 916-278-7163 / Fax: 916-278-3855
sunderman@csus.edu