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Gerontology

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Folsom Lake College Gerontology

Folsom Lake College's gerontology program prepares students to assist seniors in managing their health, psychological, and social needs unique to the elderly population via a broad overview of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging. The need for specialization in gerontology is clearly shown in population trends and documented in literature citing the lack of adequately prepared geriatric caregivers. The focus is on preparation for associate-level positions with private industry, government, and non-profit agencies providing health services to senior adults. All courses transfer to the California State University (CSU) system.

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in gerontology or social work, it is critical that you meet with a counselor to select and plan the courses for your major. Transfer institutions vary widely in the courses required for undergraduate preparation.

Program Maps

Division Dean Brian Robinson
Department Chair Dr. Jill Bradshaw
Meta-Major Public Service, Health, and Education
Phone (916) 361-6330
Email robinsb@flc.losrios.edu

Associate Degrees

A.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Interdisciplinary Studies degree is designed for students who wish a broad knowledge of arts and sciences plus additional coursework in a prescribed “Area of Emphasis”. This program is a good choice for students planning on transferring to the California State University or University of California. The student will be able to satisfy general education requirements, plus focus on transferable coursework that relates to a specific major and/or individual interest. This degree will have an "Area of Emphasis" in Social and Behavioral Sciences. These courses emphasize the perspectives, concepts, theories, and methodologies of the disciplines typically found in the vast variety of disciplines that comprise study in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Students will study about themselves and others as members of a larger society. Topics and discussions to stimulate critical thinking about ways people have acted in response to their societies will allow students to evaluate how societies and social subgroups operate. (Possible majors at a four-year institution include, but are not limited to: history, sociology, social studies, psychology, and family consumer science.)

It is highly recommended that students consult a counselor to determine the classes within each area that will best prepare them for their intended transfer major.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2023

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
A minimum of 18 units from the following:		18
Select courses from at least 3 different disciplines.
ADMJ 300	Introduction to Administration of Justice (3)
ADMJ 302	Community Relations: Multicultural Issues (3)
ADMJ 320	Concepts of Criminal Law (3)
ANTH 310	Cultural Anthropology (3)
ANTH 319	Visual Anthropology: Introduction to Ethnographic Film (3)
ANTH 323	Introduction to Archaeology (3)
ANTH 330	Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion (3)
ANTH 341	Introduction to Linguistics (3)
BUS 320	Concepts in Personal Finance (3)
BUS 330	Managing Diversity in the Workplace (3)
BUS 340	Business Law (3)
BUS 345	Law and Society (3)
COMM 325	Intercultural Communication (3)
COMM 341	Organizational Communication (3)
COMM 351	Mass Media and Society (3)
COMM 363	Introduction to Communication Theory (3)
ECON 302	Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECON 304	Principles of Microeconomics (3)
ECON 320	Concepts in Personal Finance (3)
ECE 312	Child Development (3)
ECE 314	The Child, the Family and the Community (3)
ECE 330	Infant and Toddler Development (3)
ECE 430	Culture and Diversity in Early Childhood Education (3)
GEOG 310	Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3)
GEOG 322	Geography of California (3)
HIST 307	History of World Civilizations to 1500 (3)
HIST 308	History of World Civilizations, 1500 to Present (3)
HIST 310	History of the United States (To 1877) (3)
HIST 311	History of the United States (1865 - Present) (3)
HIST 314	Recent United States History (3)
HIST 319	American Environmental History (3)
HIST 331	Women in American History (3)
HIST 344	Survey of California History: A Multicultural Perspective (3)
HIST 368	History of France (3)
JOUR 310	Mass Media and Society (3)
NUTRI 310	Cultural Foods of the World (3)
POLS 301	Introduction to Government: United States (3)
POLS 302	Comparative Politics (3)
POLS 310	Introduction to International Relations (3)
POLS 320	Introduction to Political Theory (3)
PSYC 300	General Principles (3)
PSYC 312	Biological Psychology (4)
PSYC 320	Social Psychology (3)
PSYC 335	Research Methods in Psychology (3)
PSYC 340	Abnormal Behavior (3)
PSYC 356	Human Sexuality (3)
PSYC 368	Cross Cultural Psychology (3)
PSYC 370	Human Development: A Life Span (3)
PSYC 372	Child Development (3)
SOC 300	Introductory Sociology (3)
SOC 301	Social Problems (3)
SOC 310	Marriage and the Family (3)
SOC 321	Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
SOC 341	Sex and Gender in the U.S. (3)
SOC 379	Making Social Change (3)
SWHS 331	Cross Cultural Psychology (3)
Total Units:		18

The Interdisciplinary Studies: Social and Behavioral Sciences Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See FLC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

evaluate how societies and social subgroups operate (Social and Behavioral Sciences).

A.A. in Social Work/Human Services, General

The A.A. degree program in Human Services provides performance-based training for both associate level employment and transfer preparation. This degree provides training for Psychology and Social Work majors towards Marriage Family Therapists, Social Workers, and Psychologists. All courses within this curriculum are transferable to CSU four-year degree programs. Coursework includes performance-based training in client screening, intake, assessment, orientation, individual counseling, group counseling, consultation, client's rights, confidentiality, crisis intervention, client education, professional ethics, reports and record keeping.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2023

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
PSYC 300	General Principles	3
SWHS 300	Introduction to Human Services	3
SWHS 302	Introduction to Psychology of Human Relations	3
SWHS 331	Cross Cultural Psychology (3)	3
or PSYC 368	Cross Cultural Psychology (3)
SWHS 350	Ethical Issues in Social Work/Human Services	3
SWHS 360	Techniques of Interviewing and Counseling	3
SWHS 365	Techniques of Group Counseling (3)	3
SWHS 366	Practices in Human Services	3
SWHS 367	Advanced Practices in Human Services	3
A minimum of 6 units from the following:		6
GERON 300	Sociology of Aging (3)
PSYC 320	Social Psychology (3)
SOC 300	Introductory Sociology (3)
SOC 321	Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
SWHS 304	Introduction to Counseling Children (3)
SWHS 340	Introduction to Chemical Dependency (3)
SWHS 494	Topics in Human Services (0.5 - 4)
Total Units:		33

The Social Work/Human Services, General Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See FLC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

define the functions of social service delivery systems.
analyze public policy issues, complexities and controversies affecting social service agencies and their clients.
integrate different theoretical approaches in working with clients.
identify the community resources used in assisting clients.
appraise and apply the knowledge of existing California professional codes of ethics for the helping professions.
describe the application of clients' rights in the social service delivery system.
evaluate one's own values and attitudes as they apply to ethical decision making.
demonstrate effective individual and group setting interpersonal and social skills in interactions with a demographically diverse population.

Career Information

Career opportunities may include but are not limited to: Peer Support Group Facilitator; Youth Group Home Worker; Alcoholism Program Worker; Family, Welfare, and Health Agencies Worker; Ombudsman Program Workers; Work with Correctional Agencies; Consumer Consultant; County or State Eligibility Worker; Conflict Containment Workers.

Public Service, Health, and Education

This program is part of the Public Service, Health, and Education meta-major.

Learn More

Gerontology

Program Maps

Associate Degrees

A.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Degree Requirements

Student Learning Outcomes

A.A. in Social Work/Human Services, General

Degree Requirements

Student Learning Outcomes

Career Information

Gerontology (GERON) Courses

GERON 495 Independent Studies in Gerontology

GERON 499 Experimental Offering in Gerontology

Programs and Majors

Public Service, Health, and Education

Gerontology

Overview

Career Options

Highlights

Program Maps

Associate Degrees

A.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Degree Requirements

Student Learning Outcomes

A.A. in Social Work/Human Services, General

Degree Requirements

Student Learning Outcomes

Career Information

Gerontology (GERON) Courses

GERON 495 Independent Studies in Gerontology

GERON 499 Experimental Offering in Gerontology

Faculty

Public Service, Health, and Education