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Gerontology: Case Management and Social Services A.A. Degree

Full Time

This program roadmap represents one possible pathway to complete the program. Please see a counselor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs. This roadmap is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.

Catalog:: 2025-26
GE Pattern:: local AA/AS
Total Units:: 60

First Year

Semester 1

15 Units

CAT.	COURSE	UNIT	GE AREA
Req	GERON 303 Introduction to Social Gerontology: Aging in Contemporary Society	3	L4
Req	HSER 300 Introduction to Human Services	3
Req	COMM 321 Interpersonal Communication	3
GE	ENGL C1000 Academic Reading and Writing or	3	L1A
GE	ENGL C1000H ^H Academic Reading and Writing - Honors	3	L1A
GE	any Area L3 (Arts & Humanities) course	3	L3

Semester 2

15 Units

CAT.	COURSE	UNIT	GE AREA
Req	GERON 305 Introduction to Geropsychology and the Aging Brain or	3
Req	PSYC 375 Introduction to Geropsychology and the Aging Brain	3
Req	HSER 310 Ethical Issues and Client's Rights	3
RE	HSER 360 Techniques of Interviewing and Counseling	3
GE	MATH 300 Introduction to Mathematical Ideas	3	L2
Elec	any elective course	3

Second Year

Semester 3

15 Units

CAT.	COURSE	UNIT	GE AREA
Req	GERON 306 Health, Wellness, and the Aging Process	3
RE	HSER 330 Issues of Diverse Populations or	3
RE	PSYC 365 Issues of Diverse Populations	3
Req	HSER 340 Introduction to Chemical Dependency or	3
Req	PSYC 400 Introduction to Chemical Dependency	3
Req	PSYC 390 Psychology of Death and Dying	3
GE	any Area L1B (Oral Communication & Critical Thinking) course	3	L1B

Semester 4

15 Units

CAT.	COURSE	UNIT	GE AREA
Req	GERON 490 Aging Policy and Practice	3
Req	GERON 498 Work Experience in Gerontology	3	L7B
GE	any Area L5 (Natural Sciences) course	3	L5
GE	any Area L6 (Ethnic Studies) course	3	L6
GE	any Area L7A (Physical Education) course	1	L7A
Elec	any elective course	2

Explanation of Categories
Req	Required Core	A course that is required for this program
GE	General Education	A course that fulfills a specific general education requirement for a degree, which can be replaced with another course that meets the same requirement
RE	Restricted Elective	A course selected from a list of elective courses specified for this program in the course list in the catalog, which can be replaced with another course from the same list
Elec	Degree Elective	A degree-applicable course that is part of a degree roadmap to ensure that there is a total of at least 60 units, which is a requirement for an associate degree

Career path

Career Options:

A wide variety of entry-level positions as well as positions that require the knowledge and skills needed to work as a case manager for an employer or as an independent contractor working directly for older clients and their families. Positions are available in state and local government agencies, non-profit organizations, institutions, and private sector businesses that provide older people and adults with disabilities, with information and referral services, service coordination, employment counseling, legal services, activity and recreation programs, health education programs, housing, medical care, and in-home support services.

Advising Notes:

This degree can be completed using either the local AA/AS general education (GE) pattern or the Cal-GETC transfer GE pattern. See a counselor to determine which pattern is best for you based on your academic goals.
Students can substitute ESLW 340 for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly known as ENGWR 300/480).
Elective Courses: any elective courses numbered 100-499, or having a 4-digit number starting with C.

Scheduling Notes:

GERON 306 is offered in the fall.
GERON 490 is offered in the spring.

Other Notes:

Gerontology is an applied science that provides knowledge and experience you need as a professional that can also be applied personally. Gerontology is a behavioral science because gerontologists work directly with older people; a social science because gerontologists work behind the scenes as administrators and staff planning and running programs; and a political science because gerontologists advocate for new policies and policy changes that will improve the lives of older people.
An internship (GERON 498) is required as it opens up potential employment opportunities. Students can earn at least 4 units for related paid or unpaid work experience including volunteer and internship positions through GERON 498. This course also works toward satisfying GE Area L7B. See the Work Experience website for more information.

Honors Courses (H):

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better who complete 15 or more units of Honors coursework earn an Honors Transfer Certificate and can take advantage of honors-to-honors transfer agreements with highly selective colleges and universities, both public and private.

Published April 14, 2025

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