Gerontology San Francisco State University

Overview

Key features

The Gerontology MA program offered at San Francisco State University has a curriculum that is designed to:

• emphasize the broad, interdisciplinary nature of issues which relate to and influence older adults;

• provide students with the academic background, professional experience, and research capabilities necessary to pursue advanced study at the doctoral level; and

• prepare students for professional practice and leadership positions in the public and private sectors where gerontological knowledge is required.

• empower students with a vision of social justice, diversity, consumer-driven services, and global issues to promote intergenerational understanding; and

• invest in students a working knowledge of theoretical foundations and prepare students with tools to use quantitative and qualitative methods in applied research for solving a variety of practical problems in the community and link the micro and macro aspects of aging.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Graduate students will demonstrate mastery of content knowledge and professional skills in the psycho-social aspects of aging.

• Graduate students will demonstrate mastery of content knowledge and professional skills in the bio-medical aspects of aging.

• Graduate students will demonstrate mastery of content knowledge and professional skills in the socio-economic aspects of aging.

• Graduate students will demonstrate mastery of content knowledge and professional skills in applied research in aging.

• Graduate students will demonstrate mastery of content knowledge and professional skills in community-based internship in aging.

Career paths

Gerontology is one of the fastest growing disciplines within the field of Health and Human Services. Current demographic projections indicate that California will experience a doubling of the population over the age of 65 by the year 2020; furthermore, of all age groups, the group over age 85, the oldest old, is increasing at the greatest rate. Not only will there be greater numbers of older persons by 2020, but they will also be increasingly single, female, and ethnically diverse. A Master of Arts (M.A.) in Gerontology prepares the student for effective performance in a career of service to older adults. It also lays a firm academic foundation in applied gerontology for students who choose to work toward a doctoral degree. Students have the opportunity to choose a number of career paths in the field of aging within the public and private sectors.

Gerontology can also be applied to programs of health promotion in both the private and public sectors.  Senior centers, retirement communities, long-term institutions and professional organizations serving older persons now recognize the need for making wellness a priority in planning, programs, and services. Health and wellness are also new priorities for school children and adults and students may explore career opportunities for intergenerational practice. Students choosing a Gerontology emphasis in health, wellness and aging are prepared for professional practice in local, state and federal government, the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors and organizations from AARP to the YMCA.