Master of Science in Gerontology
Interested students should contact Dr. Barbara White at 562-985-1582 or barbara.white@csulb.edu
This program is designed to prepare students with a thorough background in existing theory and research in gerontology, advanced principles of program management, and enhanced baccalaureate preparation for their professional discipline.
Admission Requirements
1. Complete the application form to be admitted to the university with graduate standing;
2. Send the following materials to the Gerontology Program, in addition to those sent to the Office of Enrollment Services:
- • Three letters of recommendation reflecting academic potential, personal qualifications, sensitivity, and evidence of ability and motivation to work with older adults and professionals in the field of aging,
- • A current resumé, including education, employment, and volunteer activities,
- • A personal statement of interest in aging and career goals in the field.
Admission to the program is contingent on approval by the Gerontology Program Director.
Prerequisites
1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
2. Evidence of a 3.0 or better grade point average in all undergraduate work. Students with less than a 3.0 grade point average in the last 60 undergraduate semester or 90 quarter units attempted but with evidence of professional promise and experiential background may be admitted conditionally by action of the Program Director.
3. Successful completion of the following courses or their approved substitutes:
Take the following courses:
- • GERN 400 Perspectives on Gerontology (3)
may be taken upon program admission
- • an approved upper-division statistics course
may be taken within the first year of the program.
Retention
1. Maintain a 3.0 or better grade point average in all graduate work completed at CSULB and all approved graduate work transferred to meet graduate requirements.
2. Continuous satisfactory progress toward the degree objective.
Advancement to Candidacy
1. Satisfy the general University requirements for advancement to candidacy.
2. Fulfill the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)
3. Complete a minimum of six units of graduate level coursework in gerontology.
4. Be enrolled during the term in which advancement to candidacy takes place.
5. Obtain approval for one's individual program plan from the Gerontology Program Director and then from the Associate Dean of the College of Health and Human Services.
Requirements
Thesis Option
Completion of a minimum of 36 units, with at least 28 units of 500 and/or 600 series in Gerontology, including:
Take all of the following courses:
- GERN 500 Introduction to the Professional Practice of Gerontology (3)
Prerequisites/Corequisites: GERN 400 or equivalent; graduate standing or consent of instructor.
- GERN 563 Program Evaluation(3)
Prerequisites: Upper division or graduate course in statistics; GERN 696 (may be taken concurrently) or equivalent.
- GERN 582 Health Assessment of the Aging Client (3)
Prerequisites: GERN 400 or equivalent and graduate standing or consent of instructor.
- GERN 592 Internship in Family and Consumer Sciences/Gerontology (3)
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.
- GERN 600 Seminar in Leadership and Administration (3)
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
- GERN 696 Research Methods (3)
Prerequisites: Upper-division course in statistics.
- GERN 697 Directed Research (3)
Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy, GERN 500-level courses in area of study, and GERN 696.
- GERN 698 Thesis (3)
Prerequisites: GERN 697, advancement to candidacy.
A maximum of nine units may be taken outside of the major.
Directed Project Option
Completion of a minimum of 36 units with at least 28 units of 500 and/or 600 series in Gerontology, including:
- GERN 500 Introduction to the Professional Practice of Gerontology (3)
Prerequisites/Corequisites: GERN 400 or equivalent; graduate standing or consent of instructor.
- GERN 563 Program Evaluation (3)
Prerequisites: Upper division or graduate course in statistics; GERN 696 (may be taken concurrently) or equivalent.
- GERN 582 Health Assessment of the Aging Client (3)
Prerequisites: GERN 400 or equivalent and graduate standing or consent of instructor.
- GERN 592 Internship in Family and Consumer Sciences/Gerontology (3)
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.
- GERN 600 Seminar in Leadership and Administration (3)
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
- GERN 692 Gerontology Directed Project (3)
Prerequisites: GERN 697.
- GERN 696 Research Methods (3)
Prerequisites: Upper-division course in statistics.
- GERN 697 Directed Research (3)
Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy, GERN 500-level courses in area of study, and GERN 696.
A maximum of nine units may be taken outside the major.
