Program Overview

GERONTOLOGY DEGREES & CERTIFICATES

Degrees | Vocational Certificates | Specific Interest Certificates | Core Requirements

Note: The content on this page reflects the most current course information, and may be different than what is printed in the latest ARC college catalog.

The ARC Program
The ARC Gerontology program blends classroom instruction and student interaction with older adults in a variety of non-classroom situations. This provides students with the knowledge and experience required for employment in businesses and agencies that provide services for the elderly, and/or preparation for upper-division work in gerontology at a four-year institution. The result may be an associate of arts degree or a certificate in gerontology.

Career Opportunities
The demand for individuals trained to work with an aging population is expanding in business, management, marketing, recreation, travel, nutrition, and health care.

Course Requirements
The gerontology major provides specialized training for employment in businesses or agencies providing services to the elderly or preparation for upper-division work in gerontology.

DEGREES

To receive a Gerontology Associate in Arts (AA) Degree (in the chosen concentration) you must complete the required core requirements below, plus the 9 units in the selected option, general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. For ARC graduation requirements, click here.

There are 6 Gerontology concentrations offered:

1. BUSINESS
2. CASE MANAGEMENT / SOCIAL SERVICES
3. ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
4. HEALTH CARE
5. RECREATION
6. SOCIAL POLICY / ADVOCACY

To receive a Gerontology Certificate (in the chosen concentration) you must complete the required core requirements below, plus the 9 units in the selected option.

There are 6 Gerontology certificates offered:

1. BUSINESS
2. CASE MANAGEMENT / SOCIAL SERVICES
3. ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
4. HEALTH CARE
5. RECREATION
6. SOCIAL POLICY / ADVOCACY

There are 3 Vocational Certificates offered, with varying units:

1. ACTIVITY COORDINATOR (6.5 Units)
2. RCFE ADMINISTRATOR (2.5 Units)
3. SOCIAL SERVICE DESIGNEE (4.5 Units)

There are 4 Specific Interest Certificates offered, with varying units:

4. DEMENTIA CARE (1.5 Units)
5. ELDER CARE (2 Units)
6. ETHNICITY & AGING (2 Units)
7. LEADERSHIP IN ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES (2 Units)

A number of courses have been approved for continuing education for RNs, LVNs, CNAs, RCFE Administrators, LMFTs, LCSWs and Nursing Home Administrators. These courses are indicated by an asterisk (*) on the list of Core Requirements below.

In addition, short-term courses are offered specifically for continuing education which do not carry academic credit. Please check your schedule of classes for a particular semester.

GERONTOLOGY CORE REQUIREMENTS: 30 UNITS

BUS 310 Business Communications (3) or ENGWR 103 Practical Communications (3) or ENGWR 300 College Composition (3)	3 units
* GERON 300 or SOC 335 Sociology of Aging (3)	3 Units
* GERON 302 or PSYC 374 Psychology of Aging: Adult Development & Aging (3)	3 Units
GERON 311 Social Services Designee: Legal Issues & End-of-Life Decisions (3)	3 Units
* GERON 330 or PSYC 378 Communicating with and Validating Older Adults (3)	3 Units
* GERON 334 or PSYC 379 Reminiscence Therapy (3)	3 Units
* GERON 335 Wellness for Older Adults (3)	3 Units
* GERON 340 or NUTRI 324 Nutrition for Healthy Aging (3)	3 Units
* GERON 360 Ethnic Diversity and Aging (.5)	.5 Units
* GERON 362 Biology of Aging (.5)	.5 Units
* GERON 366 Coping with Death and Related Bereavement (.5)	.5 Units
* GERON 368 Mental Health and Aging (.5)	.5 Units
GERON 490 Practices in Gerontology (3)	3 Units
Plus a minimum of 3 units from the following: GERON 498 Work Experience in Gerontology (1-4)
* Continuing Education hours are available upon request

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BUSINESS CONCENTRATION: 39 UNITS

Gerontology Core Requirements: 30 Units (see above)
Plus a minimum of 9 units from the following:

ACCT 101 Fundamentals of College Accounting (3) or
ACCT 301 Financial Accounting (4)

BUS 105 Business Mathematics (3) or
BUS 110 Business Economics (3)

BUS 320 or ECON 320 Concepts in Personal Finance (3)

BUS 330 Managing Diversity in the Workplace (3)

BUS 340 Business Law (3)

GERON 304 or HSER 310 Ethical Issues and Client's Rights (3)

MGMT 300 Introduction to Modern Management (3) or
MGMT 362 Techniques of Management (3)

MGMT 304 Introduction to Management Functions (3)

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CASE MANAGEMENT / SOCIAL SERVICES CONCENTRATION: 39 UNITS