Associate in Arts:Gerontology

Students will explore social service and health care needs of the elderly as they apply to workforce opportunities.This degree will prepare the student for a career working with the aging or elderly in areas such as recreation, home care, and healthcare aides within assisted living facilities.

Program Learning Outcomes – Upon completion, students will be able to  apply professional standards of practice in services to the aging and elderly and their families in the home and the community.

A minimum of 60 units and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher must be completed to earn the Associate Degree. Major courses must each be completed with a grade of C or better. 

5-10 students per academic year.

Students are expected to be prepared for entry level jobs after completing the program. 

The AA degree in Gerontology is an interdisciplinary program comprised of core classes in Family and Consumer Studies,  Nutrition, Health Occupations, Sociology, Psychology and Child Development. The core classes for the AA degree are a total of  20.5 units. 

To earn the AA degree, students will need to complete  a minimum of 60 units. Major courses must each be completed with a grade of C or better. 

We are requesting the removal of one elective class FAM&CS 091: Life Management from the program because there is a similar class offered by the counseling department. This class is not regularly offered due to low enrollment and we want students to complete the required courses in a timely manner and earn their AA degrees. There are 4 other elective classes that students can select from. 

Current Required Courses

FAM&CS 006: Challenges of Aging (3 units)

Nutrtn 021: Nutrition (3 units) 

FAM&CS 070: Field Experience in Family & Consumer Studies (3 units)

Hlth Occ 063: Basic Medical Terminology, Pathophysiology & Pharmacology (2 units)

Hlth Occ 064: Cultural & Legal Topics for Healthcare Professionals (1 units)

Hlth Occ 065: Fundamentals for the Healthcare Professional (2.5 units)

Electives (select two classes) 

CH Dev 055: Home Visitation Programs ( 3 units)

FAM&CS 031: Marriage and Family Life (3 units)

FAM&CS 091: Life Management (class we want to remove from the program)

Psych 041: Life Span Psychology ( 3 units)

Soc 002: American Social Problems (3 units)

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New Required Courses

FAM&CS 006: Challenges of Aging (3 units)

Nutrtn 021: Nutrition (3 units) 

FAM&CS 070: Field Experience in Family & Consumer Studies (3 units)

Hlth Occ 063: Basic Medical Terminology, Pathophysiology & Pharmacology (2 units)

Hlth Occ 064: Cultural & Legal Topics for Healthcare Professionals (1 units)

Hlth Occ 065: Fundamentals for the Healthcare Professional (2.5 units)

Electives (select two classes) 

CH Dev 055: Home Visitation Programs ( 3 units)

FAM&CS 031: Marriage and Family Life (3 units)

Psych 041: Life Span Psychology ( 3 units)

Soc 002: American Social Problems (3 units)

After removing FAM&CS 091:Life Management, the students will need to complete the following classes in addition to general education classes to earn the AA in Gerontology. 

Course	Title	Units	Semester (Y1 or S1)
FAM&CS 006	Challenges of Aging	3	S1
FAM&CS 070	Field Experience in Family & Consumer Studies	3	S1
CH Dev 055 (example) *elective class	Home Visitation Programs	3	S1

Course	Class Name	Units	Semester (Y1 or S1)
Hlth Occ 063	Basic Medical Terminology, Pathophysiology & Pharmacology	2	S2
Hlth Occ 064	Cultural & Legal Topics for Healthcare Professionals	1	S2
Hlth Occ 065	Fundamentals for the Healthcare Professional	2.5	S2
Nutrtn 021	Nutrition	3	S2
FAM&CS 031 (example) *elective class	Marriage and Family Life	3	S2

*please note that students can select other classes from the elective section

N/A

East LA Community College- Certificate of Achievement in Gerontology/Health LA Trade Tech College- Senior Care Technician Certificate LA City College (Extension ) Certificate in Gerontology Coastline College- Certificate and AA in Gerontology Cypress College- Gerontology Certificate Saddleback College- Aging Studies Certificate of Achievement and Aging Studies Interdisciplinary Certificate of Achievement Pasadena City College- AA Degree and Certificate of Achievement in Gerontology

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