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Mission

Program Description

Objectives

Minor

Bachelor of Science

Graduate Certificate

Special Masters

 

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Program Director:

Cheryl Osborne, RN, MSN, Ed.D.

Administrative Assistant:
Laurel Sunderman

CSUS Gerontology Program
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819-6096

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

Graduate Certificate in Gerontology

Program Description | Before you Apply | Admission Requirements

Application Process for New Students | Application Process for Continuing Students

The Graduate Certificate Program in Gerontology is a regular on-campus program and is not offered through CCE. Regular university timelines and tuition rates apply. The Certificate consists of 18 units of coursework as follows:

Required Courses: 18 units 

Note: In parantheses are the semesters we plan to offer these courses. All scheduling information is subject to change, so be sure to check the the schedule available via My Sac State prior to registration for the most up-to-date information.

(3 units) GERO 200 Adaptation to Age Related Changes (Fall 2008)
(3 units) GERO 221 Models for Successful Longevity (Spring 2009)
(3 units) GERO 222 Managing Disorders in Elders  (Fall 2009)
(3 units) GERO 295 Internship/Project (Every semester beginning Fall 2008)
(3 units) GERO 101 Elder Care Continuum Services & Strategies (Fall 2008)
(3 units) GERO 102 Social Policy for an Aging Society  (Spring 2009)
             OR
             GERO 103 Applied Care Mgmt in Gerontology Practice (Spring 2009)
(1-3 units) GERO 299 Special Problems** (Every semester beginning Fall 2008)


**
This course is optional, and is for students interested in advanced, independent study in a particular area.

This Certificate will provide an excellent opportunity for advanced study in Gerontology. It will give students of other disciplines, as well as those already working in Gerontology or a related field, the ability to gain important knowledge and skills to better serve the older adult population.

Time to Completion
Because many of the Certificate courses are not offered every semester, students can expect to take between 1 and 3 courses per semester. The Certificate Program will likely take 3 semesters to complete. The Office of Graduate Studies has indicated that students enrolled only in the Certificate Program (i.e. not enrolled in another graduate program on campus) must complete the Certificate Program within 4 semesters or may risk being discontinued. Thus, it is important that students meet with their adviser every semester for help with course planning.

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Those interested in enrolling in the Certificate Program should contact the Gerontology Program as soon as possible. Early planning is key! Consider attending one of Dr. Osborne's Prospective Student Advising Sessions. RSVP to Laurel Sunderman for the meeting of your choice.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All students (new and continuing) must have a bachelor's degree and at least a 3.0 GPA in their last 60 units of college coursework.

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR NEW STUDENTS

1. Contact the Gerontology Program Office expressing your intent to apply by the deadline listed below (916-278-7163 or email Laurel Sunderman).

2. Fill out Section I of the "Application for Certificate of Academic Achievement" and complete a Gerontology Program Application. Submit these application forms to the Gerontology Program Office (6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-6096) before completing the University application online (see below for deadlines). Students who have not contacted our office and submitted these forms will not be allowed to apply online.

3. Apply online to the University via CSU Mentor on the specific date and time indicated below. Choose "GEROC" as your Program Objective (for Gerontology Certificate).

4. Send two copies of your transcripts to the Office of Graduate Studies (6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-6112) by the application deadline. Order transcripts early as they can sometimes take weeks to be processed and sent. Consider rushing them if possible.

5. Send recent General Subject Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores to the Gerontology Program Office by the application deadline. No specific score is required. Rather, the test is used as a diagnostic tool to be sure students are ready for graduate-level work and that no supplemental coursework is necessary. GRE exam must include a writing component. Old scores without a writing component will not be accepted.

APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR NEW STUDENTS

Spring 2009

Monday, October 13, 2008: Deadline to contact the Gerontology Program Office with intent to apply. Deadline to submit the Application for Certificate of Academic Achievement (Section I), and the Gerontology Program Application to our office.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008 between 8:30am and 4:00pm: Apply online to the GERO Certificate Program via CSU Mentor. *Deadline to submit GRE scores to the Gerontology Program Office.

Monday, November 3, 2008. Deadline to submit two official copies of transcripts to the Office of Graduate Studies.

*Note: Students who are unable to submit GRE scores by this date may still apply. Students should take the exam and submit scores to our office as soon as possible. Students submitting late scores may be conditionally classified until we receive their scores.

Fall 2009

Monday, March 16, 2009: Deadline to contact the Gerontology Program Office with intent to apply. Deadline to submit the Application for Certificate of Academic Achievement (Section I), and the Gerontology Program Application to our office.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 between 8:30am and 4:00pm: Apply online to the GERO Certificate Program via CSU Mentor. Deadline to submit two official copies of all college transcripts to Graduate Studies. Deadline to submit GRE scores to the Gerontology Program Office.

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR CONTINUING STUDENTS

Students may complete the Graduate Certificate Program concurrently with another graduate program on campus (i.e. a Master's Program in another discipline). Students already enrolled in another on-campus graduate program DO NOT need to apply online again or send additional transcripts. Continuing students should complete Section I of the Application for Certificate of Academic Achievement and the Gerontology Program Application and submit these materials to our office at least one semester prior to beginning Graduate Certificate coursework. Copies of your recent General Subject GRE scores should be sent to our office along with your applications. No specific score is required. Rather, the test is used as a diagnostic tool to be sure students are ready for graduate-level work and that no supplemental coursework is necessary. GRE exam must include a writing component. Old scores without a writing component will not be accepted.

Students wishing to switch from their current program of study to the Graduate Certificate Program only, or who are currently enrolled as unclassified graduate students, should contact our office for more information.

See the Graduate Studies website for application deadlines for other programs of study.

For more admissions information, click here.

If you have any questions about the Certificate Program,
please contact the Gerontology Office.

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