Gerontology
Overview
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.
- Care/Case Aide
- Elder Care Provider
- Geriatric Aide
- Home Care Specialist
- Home Caregiver
- Home Health Aide
- Intergenerational Care Provider
- Program Aide or Assistant
- Registry Coordinator
- Volunteer Services
- Knowledge and skills related to working with older populations
- Individual and group counseling practice
- Interviews with potential employers
- Employment training, including resume development, interview practice, and internship experience
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.
Gerontology (GERON) Courses
GERON 495 Independent Studies in Gerontology
- Units:1 - 3
- Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2023
GERON 499 Experimental Offering in Gerontology
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2023
This is the experimental courses description.
Faculty
Programs and Majors
Public Service, Health, and Education
This program is part of the Public Service, Health, and Education meta-major.