Coastline’s Gerontology Program

Tomorrow’s College Today.

Complete the Gerontology major or get a certificate of achievement in

one year or less at Coastline

COASTLINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Coastline Community College—Acting President: Kevin J. McElroy

Coast Community College District— Board of Trustees:Mary L. Hornbuckle, Walter G. Howald, Jim Moreno, Jerry Patterson, Lorraine Prinsky, Ph.D., and Robert Lane, Student Trustee

Interim Chancellor:Ding-Jo H. Currie, Ph.D.

Accreditation: Coastline is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, a nationally recognized regional accrediting agency.

Non-Discrimination Statement: It is the policy of the Coast Community College District to provide all persons with equal employment and educational opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, handicap, marital or Vietnam-era status.

Coastline’s MissionCoastline Community College is committed to student success through accessible and flexible education within and beyond the traditional classroom.

To find out more...Visit Coastline’s administrative office in Fountain Valley or a Coastline campus in Westminster, Garden Grove or Costa Mesa, or call:

(714) 241-6213or visit

http://gerontology.coastline.edu

Graduates from this program can expect to find career placements in county councils on aging, area agencies on aging, social services agencies, housing authori-ties, long-term care, recreation facilities and many other public and private agencies. Job titles in the field include:

With Completion of an A.A. Degree/Certificate• Home Care Companion • Activity Director • RCFE Administrator • Adult Educator • Transportation Coordinator • Meal Coordinator • Admission Coordinator • Marketing Coordinator• Travel/Tour Specialist• Home Safety/Home Organization Specialist

With Completion of an B.A. or M.A. plus the Gerontology Certificate• Dept. of Human Services Worker • Senior Center Director • Administrator for assisted living • Administrator for independent living • Marketing Director • Care Manager• Geriatric Social Worker• Geropsychologist• Gerontologist

Employment Opportunities

Gerontology, the interdisciplinary study of aging, offers students an understanding of their own aging and of society’s response to the increasing population of older people. Gerontology coursework will provide information about the aging process and training to work in services and agencies that interact with older people.

Students have the option of completing the gerontology major as part of their A.A. degree, the certificate of achievement with the A.A. degree, or the certificate alone.

About the Program

Being in transition, I was looking into “growth fields” in which to equip myself for a new career opportunity. I

found the Gerontology program at Coastline to be relevant, timely and challenging. Within a short period of time I

was able to grasp many of the basic concepts and issues that gerontologists study each day. Thru my internship

and volunteer activity I applied classroom material to real life situations. Most importantly I found the instructors

approachable for advisement in the many fields in which gerontologists are employed today.

Richard Williams, Administrator,Wycliffe Casa De Seniors

The Coastline Community College Gerontology Program offers a variety of courses that helped me become knowl-edgeable in the field. The subjects range from the biology

of aging, nutritional needs of the elderly, and classes to assist the caregiver with an aging loved one. All of the in-

structors were very helpful and supportive with resources. My studies assist me professionally in my nursing home

occupation and in my personal life with aging parents, and other family members. This program is a good beginning as the learning process goes on every day. More and more people are entering retirement years and face financial and

health issues. This makes Gerontology is an increasingly important field.

Laura Nyce, Business Manager,Country Villa Health Services

GeronBrochure_Fall2009.indd

Choose the gerontology major or earn

your certificate of achievement.

COURSES Units

Required Courses - 12 units*BIOL C120/GERO C126 Biology of Aging ......................................... 3.0*GERO C120 Professional Issues ............................................................. 3.0*PSYCH C170/GERO C127 Psychology of Aging .............................. 3.0*SOC C120/GERO C125 Introduction to Gerontology .................. 3.0

Select a minimum of 2 units of the following elective courses*F&N C175/GERO C128 Nutrition and Aging .................................... 3.0*GERO C123 Activity Leadership ............................................................. 2.0*GERO C124 Aging and Public Policy .................................................... 3.0*GERO C130 Techniques of Working with Frail Elderly ................ 3.0*GERO C140 Aging in a Multicultural Society .................................... 3.0*GERO C190-C195 Issues in Aging ................................................... 0.5-3.0*HLTH C175/GERO C129 Healthy Aging ............................................. 3.0LAW C142 Probate Administration/Estate Planning ........................ 3.0LAW C148 Elder Law ...................................................................................... 1.5PSYCH C172 Counselor Training ............................................................. 3.0

Select a minimum of 3 units of the following field experience courses*GERO C273 Careers in Gerontology: Field Practicum .................. 3.0GERO C283-C284 Cooperative Work Experience ..................... 3.0-4.0

*These courses qualify as continuing education units for a variety of agencies. See the Gerontology website for the most up-to-date information.

ADDITIONAL ELECTIVESSelect units of additional electives from any of the categories above or from outside the field of gerontology for a total of 21 units. Suggested electives include additional field experience courses in gerontology, nutrition, health, human services, job search strategies and/or business.Total ................................................................................................................... 21.0

Additional requirement: Students must obtain a current American Red Cross Standard First Aid/CPR Card.

COURSES Units

Required Courses - 12 units*BIOL C120 /GERO C126 Biology of Aging ........................................ 3.0*GERO C120 Professional Issues ............................................................. 3.0*PSYCH C170/GERO C127 Psychology of Aging .............................. 3.0*SOC C120/GERO125 Introduction to Gerontology ....................... 3.0

Select a minimum of 6 units of the following elective courses* F&N C175/GERO C128 – Nutrition and Aging ............................... 3.0*HLTH C175/GERO C129 Healthy Aging ............................................. 3.0Or other F&N or Health courses approved by the Gerontology Dept. *GERO C123 Activity Leadership ............................................................. 2.0 *GERO C124 Aging and Public Policy .................................................. 3.0*GERO C130 Techniques of Working with Frail Elderly ................ 3.0*GERO C140 Aging in a Multicultural Society .................................... 3.0*GERO C190-C195 Issues in Aging ................................................... 0.5-3.0*GERO C273 Careers in Gerontology: Field Practicum .................. 3.0GERO C281-C284 Cooperative Work Experience ..................... 1.0-4.0Or other Gerontology courses approved by the Gerontology Dept. LAW C142 Probate Administration/Estate Planning ........................ 3.0LAW C148 Elder Law ...................................................................................... 1.5HSC C100 Introduction to Human Services ........................................ 3.0Or other Human Services courses approved by the Gerontology Dept.

*These courses qualify as continuing education units for a variety of agencies. See the Gerontology website for the most up-to-date information.

Total ...................................................................................................................18.0

Gerontology Major

Gerontology Certificate of Achievement

FAQ’s Q. Major or Certificate of Achievement in Gerontology- Which is best for me?

A. If you are working on an A.A. Degree you need to declare a major and complete 18 units of requirements within that major. If you would like an overview of the field of aging while completing your A.A. Degree, gerontology is a good option. Many of the courses are cross discipline and therefore count towards the major as well as your general education requirements for the A.A. Degree and for transfer to a four-year institution. If you would like more of a specialization in aging, including the opportunity to learn about careers and work or volunteer in the field, the certificate of achievement would be your best choice. Some of our students work on the Certificate as well as the A.A. Degree, but many of our certificate students already hold degrees and use their additional studies to add aging expertise to their resumes. Students also seek the certificate because they want to learn about their own aging process or because they are caring for a loved one and seek information to better their quality of life.

Q. What can I do with a Certificate in Gerontology?

A. The world’s demographics are quickly changing. The population 85 years and older is the fastest growing proportion of the world’s population. Knowledge of the aging process can help in almost any field, from health care and travel to business, fashion and architecture. You can create your own business to fill a service niche or follow a more traditional path and work for a city, state or federal agency serving the elderly and their families. See the Employment Opportunities Page of this brochure for some job titles.

Q. How can I support the training of future gerontology students?

A. The Gerontology Program has a foundation account and donations are used to support networking and other events that are free for our students and alumni. To expand their professional contacts and experiences, students are offered stipends to attend meetings of professional groups in aging when they are held locally. The program also sponsors a competitive scholarship to offset the costs of books and student fees for one student each year. To make a donation, contact the Department at the number on this brochure.

See our website for more FAQ’s: http://gerontology.coastline.edu

Program Outcomes A Community Advisory Board–representing employ-ers, educators, and gerontology program alumni– all participated in establishing the skill sets we expect students completing the gerontology program to be able to apply after graduation. At a minimum, our grad-uates will be able to:

• Interpret and apply gerontological theories in everyday life.

• Apply effective communication skills in a variety of settings.

• Demonstrate the use of solid research principles in supporting opinions/ideas.

• Evaluate and assess individual needs and environmental demands in preparing an appropriate plan to maintain functional capacity and adaptation at the optimal level throughout the life cycle.

Coastline was able to teach me what I needed. The online classes and the helpfulness and expertise of

the instructors gave me the ability to study while working full time. And now, working on behalf of

the elderly is my full time career!

Bonnie Kuhl, Executive Secretary,Hospital Administration