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Gerontology Major
Total Units: 48
Gerontology majors can choose to take all classes online or a combination of online and in-person classes. Some online courses are synchronous, meaning students are expected to participate in class virtually at designated times. Other courses are asynchronous, allowing students to complete coursework each week on their own schedule.
Note: The major requirements described here go into effect Fall 2026. Majors who started prior to Fall 2026 may have different requirements and should follow the course plan developed with their advisor.
Ready To Declare Your Gerontology Major?
Email ssis-gero-sc@csus.edu to meet with an advisor and declare Gerontology as your major.
Core Courses (27 units)
All Gerontology majors complete nine core online Gerontology courses. Our strengths-based curriculum examines how biological, psychological, social, and policy factors shape aging experiences in diverse populations. Through applied learning, students build practical skills in care management, teamwork, and advocacy, preparing them to work effectively with older adults, families, and communities.
Gerontology majors gain real-world experience through service learning and completing a practicum (i.e., internship). We work with students to connect with organizations in their area or help to arrange virtual experiential learning if necessary. Gerontology majors with relevant work or volunteer experience may be able to satisfy the practicum requirement through Credit for Prior Learning.
| Core Gerontology Courses |
|---|
| GERO 10: Aging Issues in Contemporary Society |
| GERO 11: Older Adult Services and Strategies |
| GERO 102: Social Policy for an Aging Society |
| GERO 103: Applied Care Management in Gerontological Practice |
| GERO 121: Strategies for Optimal Aging |
| GERO 122: Interprofessional Approaches to Health Care in Older Adults |
| GERO 124: Perspectives on Death and Dying |
| GERO 125: Moving Toward Equity in California Aging Policy and Practice |
| GERO 131: Gerontology Capstone Practicum |
Research Course (3 units)
Research skills help gerontologists make informed decisions, improve services, and advocate effectively for older adults. Taking a research course prepares Gerontology majors to understand and use data, evaluate programs, and apply evidence in real-world settings. Majors can choose to take one of several interdisciplinary online or in-person research courses.
| Research Course Options (select one) |
|---|
| GERO 123: Research on Aging & the Life Course |
| ECON 140: Quantitative Economic Analysis |
| ETHN 194: Research in Ethnic Studies |
| FACS 100: Research Methods |
| HTM 100: Research and Evaluation in Recreation, Parks and Tourism |
| NURS 170: Foundations for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice |
| SOC 102: Research Methods in Sociology |
| SWRK 111: Research Methods and Program Evaluation |
Electives (18 units)
Interdisciplinary electives help gerontology majors build flexible skills for diverse careers while also potentially fulfilling other requirements or prerequisites. Majors can choose from over 40 online and in-person elective courses.
Note: Majors who started prior to Fall 2026 may need to work with their advisors to process course substitution forms in order to count some of these electives towards their major.
| Electives (select any six) |
|---|
| Ethics |
| PHIL 102: Professional and Public Service Ethics |
| PHIL 104: Bioethics |
| PUBH 124: Ethical Considerations in Public Health |
| Health & Healthcare |
| HIST 175B: Health, Death and Disease in America |
| NUFD 10: Introduction to Nutrition |
| NUFD 113: Nutrition And Metabolism |
| NUFD 119: Nutrition: Adolescence Through Older Adulthood |
| PUBH 116: Public Health Policy, Management & Administration |
| PUBH 150: Aging and Health |
| SWRK 151: Health Services and Systems |
| WGS 133: Gender & Health |
| Physical Activity & Leisure |
| KINS 124: The Science of Nature Engagement and Human Health & Wellbeing |
| KINS 132: Planning, Designing and Managing a Fitness Center |
| KINS 136: Sport And Aging |
| RPTA 106: Introduction to Inclusive Recreation and Recreation Therapy |
| RPTA 117: Recreation Therapy and Contemporary Aspects of Disability |
| Leadership |
| HROB 101: The Management of Contemporary Organizations |
| KINS 111: Grant Writing for Social, Community and Human Service Organizations |
| KINS 112: Leadership and Fundraising for Non-profit Organizations |
| KINS 113: Volunteer Management in Nonprofit, Service, or Community Organizations |
| Family & Social Wellbeing |
| FACS 140: Family Resource Management |
| FACS 150: Family Stress and Coping: Multicultural Focus |
| NUFD 114: Cultural and Social Aspects of Food |
| PUBH 134: Understanding Human Sexuality |
| SOC 146: Sociology of Aging |
| SWRK 138: Violence In The Family |
| Mental Health |
| HLTH 154: Traumatology: An Introduction to Posttraumatic Growth |
| PSYC 137: Stress Management |
| PSYC 150: Psychological Aspects of Aging |
| PSYC 152: Psychological Aspects of Health, Wellness, and Illness |
| PUBH 130: Alcohol and Other Drugs |
| Financial Wellbeing |
| FACS 141: Family Finance |
| SWRK 136: Poverty and Homelessness in America |
| SWRK 150: Welfare In America |
| Human Development |
| FSHD 159: Adulthood and Aging in Human Development |
| PSYC 3: Human Development |
| Special Populations & Topics |
| ETHN 133: Crosscultural Aging in America |
| GERO 130: Gerontology Practicum |
| GERO 199: Special Problems |
| SWRK 144: Working with LGBTQ+ Publics |
| SWRK 191: Exploration of Veteran Studies: An Ethnographic Approach |
| WGS 175: Gender & Disability |
Program Learning Objectives
- Synthesize and apply fundamental interdisciplinary evidence-based knowledge, skills, values, and current trends as a basis for competent gerontological research, policy, and practice.
- Demonstrate critical thinking, assessment, and problem-solving skills when analyzing diverse and complex aging issues and outcomes for older adults, families, and society.
- Synthesize and apply interdisciplinary theories and research in community-based settings.
- Demonstrate social and cultural sensitivity, inclusion, respect, and support of multiple perspectives when interacting with older adults, their families, caregivers, and communities.
- Demonstrate professional behaviors in class and the community: a) learn about personal responsibility, b) exhibit ethical behavior and c) demonstrate professionalism in serving the needs of older adults, their families, caregivers, and community partners in older adult services.
- Employ effective communication skills and use of information technology as relevant to older adults, their families, caregivers, and the agencies who provide services to them.
- Demonstrate professional work skills including: a) written communication, b) verbal communication, c) conflict resolution skills and d) responsibilities to agency, older adults and the larger community.