Davis School of Gerontology
Graduate Degrees
Master’s Degrees in Gerontology
Master of Science in Gerontology
The Master of Science in Gerontology prepares graduates to assume major leadership roles in the field of aging, primarily in the planning, administration and evaluation of programs in the private and public sectors, as well as executive positions in the delivery of direct services to older people and their families and in the instruction of older adults and service providers. The Master of Science in Gerontology requires 44 units of course work. This includes 32 units of required courses and 12 units of electives. As part of this curriculum, a field practicum assures that these skills can be applied in agencies and institutional settings.
All students take core courses in physiological, psychological, sociological, social policy and professional issues relating to aging, as well as research methods and the capstone course.
The course work includes instruction on the processes of aging and professional courses designed to develop the skills needed for practice. The field practicum includes one or two semesters of practical experience working in an organizational setting.
Continuous registration in the program is required. There is a five year completion time limit for the degree. Leaves of absence are available for limited times and are excluded from the total time limit. A maximum of two absences (one year each) is allowed. Most courses are offered on campus and online.
Prerequisites for Admission
Students applying for admission to the Master of Science in Gerontology program must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. In selecting applicants for admission, the School of Gerontology considers both academic potential (as reflected in undergraduate study and scores on the Graduate Record Examinations) and professional potential (as reflected in experience, references and career goals). The school requests information from applicants to supplement that supplied by the USC Application for Graduate Admission. Such supplemental information usually includes a resume, statement of interest in gerontology and letters of reference. Interviews may be required.
Probation and Disqualification
Probation and Warning Any graduate student whose cumulative or semester grade point average in the university falls below B (3.0) will be placed on academic probation. A graduate student whose semester average falls below B (3.0) but whose cumulative grade point average in the university is 3.0 (A = 4.0) or higher will be placed on academic warning.
Disqualification A graduate student on academic probation will be disqualified if his or her cumulative record accumulates more than 12 units of C work. A graduate student, whether on probation or not, will be subject to disqualification if the Student Affairs Committee of the USC Davis School at any time determines deficiency in academic achievement.
Common Requirements
All candidates for the Master of Science degree must complete the following common requirements:
| Required Courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| GERO 510 | Physiology of Development and Aging | 4 |
| GERO 520 | Life Span Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| GERO 530 | Life Span Developmental Sociology | 4 |
| GERO 540 | Social Policy and Aging | 4 |
| GERO 589 | Case Studies in Leadership and Change Management | 4 |
| GERO 591 | Field Practicum | 4 |
| GERO 593 | Research Methods | 4 |
| 28 | ||
| Capstone Course | ||
| GERO 555 | Integrating Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Approach | 4 |
| Suggested Electives | ||
| 12 elective units: | ||
| GERO 522 | Counseling Older Adults and Their Families | 4 |
| GERO 543 | Continuum of Care: A Systems Perspective | 4 |
| GERO 550 | Administration and System Management in Programs for Older Adults | 4 |
| GERO 551 | Applied Policy Skills in Aging | 4 |
| GERO 554 | Evaluation: Incorporating Evidence-Based Practices | 4 |
| GERO 591 | Field Practicum | 4 |
Common requirements for all programs include the 28 required units and GERO 555, totaling 32 units. In addition, each candidate must complete the 12 units of electives chosen from the complete list of electives approved by the student’s adviser.
Field Practicum
The field practicum provides the opportunity for the student to gain valuable experience and develop needed skills by working in a community agency or institution. It involves a minimum of 240 hours of involvement. Students may elect to take an additional 4 units of GERO 591 Field Practicum as an elective.
Field placement assignments are made by the internship coordinator of the school in consultation with the student and in accordance with the resources available in the community. Every effort is made to secure placement which will reflect the student’s capacity to assume the responsibilities of a professional in gerontology. Evaluations of the student’s performance are sent to the school by the community agency; the student receives a grade of credit/no credit in GERO 591 Field Practicum.
Master of Science with Specialization in the Health Service Area and Ambulatory Care Certificate
In addition to the 32 units of common requirements for the M.S. in Gerontology, the following courses are required to earn the certificate.
| Core courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| PPD 509 | Problems and Issues in the Health Field | 4 |
| PPD 510a | Financial Management of Health Services, or | |
| PPD 516 | Financial Accounting for Health Care Organizations | 4 |
| PPD 545 | Human Behavior in Public Organizations, or | |
| PPD 557 | Modeling and Operations Research | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| 16 | ||
| one specialized course from the following: | ||
|---|---|---|
| GERO 550 | Administration and System Management in Programs for Older Adults | 4 |
| PPD 600 | Management of Managed Care Organizations | 4 |
| PPD 601 | Management of Long-Term Care Organizations | 4 |
Advanced Placement Master of Science in Gerontology
The Advanced Placement M.S. program allows the outstanding student who has completed a Bachelor of Science in Gerontology to waive several courses in order to complete the master’s degree in 36 units rather than the 44 units for the regular program.
| Required courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| GERO 510 | Physiology of Development and Aging, or | |
| GERO 520 | Life Span Developmental Psychology, or | |
| GERO 530 | Life Span Developmental Sociology, or | |
| GERO 540 | Social Policy and Aging | 4 |
| GERO 555 | Integrating Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Approach | 4 |
| GERO 591 | Field Practicum | 8 |
| GERO 593 | Research Methods | 4 |
| Gerontology skill requirements | 12 | |
| Gerontology electives | 4 | |
| 36 | ||
Program Adaptation
Three of the following courses, GERO 510, GERO 520, GERO 530 and GERO 540, will be waived for students in the advanced placement track. Advanced placement students admitted to dual degree programs must meet curriculum requirements for the respective programs.
Progressive Degree in Gerontology
A progressive degree program allows qualified undergraduate students the opportunity to complete an integrated program of study joining a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in the same or different departments.
The progressive degree program in gerontology allows students in their junior year to apply for the Master of Science in Gerontology program and complete both degrees in five years. Students must fulfill all the requirements for both the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. The total number of units for the master’s degree, however, may be reduced by a maximum of one third. Students must obtain permission from both the bachelor’s degree granting program and the USC Davis School of Gerontology. This program may be particularly attractive to students majoring in biology, psychology, policy and sociology. For more information on progressive degrees, see the entry under Undergraduate Programs or Graduate and Professional Education.
Master of Aging Services Management
The Master of Aging Services Management provides an opportunity for those seeking careers in the aging services industries to acquire skills and knowledge related to management of services, products and programs for older persons. The program requires a minimum of 12 units of core courses (three courses) and 20 units of electives (five courses). All graduate level courses are offered on campus and via the Internet. Continuous registration in the program is required. Leaves of absence are available for limited times and are excluded from the total time.
In order to participate in online courses, students will be required to have access to a computer with multimedia capability including a modem, printer and CD-ROM drive; an Internet provider with email and an Internet browser; and word processing software. Specific details regarding the computer requirements will be provided by the department. This program is available as a progressive degree (see Progressive Degree in Gerontology).
Students applying to the Master of Aging Services Management must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.0. If the applicant’s GPA falls below 3.0 the GRE will be required.
Students must choose a minimum of 12 units of core courses from the following:
| Core Courses (minimum of 12 Units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| GERO 500 | Perspectives on a Changing Society: An Introduction to Aging | 4 |
| GERO 501 | Applied Legal and Regulatory Issues in Aging | 4 |
| GERO 502 | Marketing and Shifts in Consumer Decision Making | 4 |
| GERO 504 | Current Issues in Aging Services Management | 4 |
| GERO 589 | Case Studies in Leadership and Change Management | 4 |
| 12 | ||
| Students must select up to five courses (for a total of 20 units) from the following courses or any other adviser-approved elective: |
| Suggested elective courses (20 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| GERO 505 | Behavioral and Social Consequences of Design and Environment | 4 |
| GERO 506 | Technological Innovations in Aging (Gerontechnology) | 4 |
| GERO 507 | End of Life Care | 4 |
| GERO 508 | The Mind and Body Connection through the Lifespan | 4 |
| GERO 510 | Physiology of Development and Aging | 4 |
| GERO 520 | Life Span Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| GERO 522 | Counseling Older Adults and Their Families | 4 |
| GERO 530 | Life Span Developmental Sociology | 4 |
| GERO 540 | Social Policy and Aging | 4 |
| GERO 541 | Health Care Delivery Models: Comparative Approaches | 4 |
| GERO 543 | Continuum of Care: Systems Perspective | 4 |
| GERO 550 | Administration and Systems Management in Programs for Older Adults | 4 |
| GERO 551 | Applied Policy Skills in Aging | 4 |
| GERO 554 | Evaluation: Incorporating Evidence-Based Practices | 4 |
| GERO 560 | Complementary Medicine for Health and Longevity | 4 |
| GERO 585 | The Aging Family | 4 |
| GERO 593 | Research Methods | 4 |
| Total: | 20 | |
Master of Arts in Gerontology
The M.A. in Gerontology provides an opportunity to acquire skills and formal training in gerontology. The online program requires 28 units of course work. Most courses are offered online and on campus.
Continuous registration in the program is required. Leaves of absence are available for limited times and are excluded from the total time limit.
In order to participate in the online courses, students will be required to have access to a multimedia computer with modem, printer and CD-ROM drive; an Internet provider with email and an Internet browser; and word processing software. Specific details regarding the computer requirements will be provided by the department.
Admission standards and prerequisites are the same as listed for the Master of Science in Gerontology with the exception that students in the online M.A. program are expected to have a significant amount of experience working in human services, health care, business or similar settings. Students are not required to have taken an approved additional course.
| required courses (20 Units) | units | |
|---|---|---|
| GERO 500 | Perspectives on a Changing Society: An Introduction to Aging | 4 |
| GERO 508 | The Mind and Body Connection through the Lifespan | 4 |
| GERO 520 | Life Span Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| GERO 530 | Life Span Developmental Sociology | 4 |
| GERO 540 | Social Policy and Aging | 4 |
| 20 | ||
Students must select two courses (for a total of 8 units) from the following courses:
| elective courses (8 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| GERO 522 | Counseling Older Adults and Their Families | 4 |
| GERO 550 | Administration and System Management in Programs for Older Adults | 4 |
| GERO 560 | Complementary Medicine for Health and Longevity | 4 |
| GERO 585 | The Aging Family | 4 |
| GERO 589 | Case Studies in Leadership and Change Management | 4 |
| Total: | 28 | |
Graduate Level Certificate in Gerontology
The residential graduate certificate in gerontology program provides an opportunity for those who have completed a bachelor’s degree in another profession or discipline and are employed in the field of aging to acquire a greater understanding of gerontology theory and research. The program consists of 16 units of gerontology content designed to familiarize the student with several areas of the field which relate to professional practice.
In addition to three of the four required core course areas for the certificate program (GERO 510, GERO 520 or GERO 522, GERO 530 or GERO 585, GERO 540), each student will have the option to choose one elective course which meets his or her particular area of interest.
Certificate students do not take a field practicum. Students admitted to the non-degree certificate program are expected to enroll each semester until the program is completed.
Online Graduate Level Certificate in Gerontology
The online graduate certificate in gerontology program provides an opportunity for those with a bachelor’s degree in another profession or discipline who are employed in the field of aging to acquire a greater understanding of gerontology theory and research. The program consists of 16 units of gerontology courses designed to familiarize the student with several areas of the field which relate to professional practice.
Students complete the introductory course, GERO 500, two of the four required core course areas (GERO 508 or GERO 510 or, GERO 520 or GERO 522, GERO 530 or GERO 585, and GERO 540), and one elective course in a particular area of interest.
The required courses are delivered via the Internet. The courses are offered in sequential order and are restricted by availability. Continuous registration in the non-degree program is required. Leaves of absence are available for limited times and are excluded from the total time limit. Entering students are encouraged to begin their course of study by taking GERO 500.
In order to participate in the online courses, students will be required to have access to a multimedia computer with modem, printer and CD-ROM drive; an Internet provider with email and an Internet browser; and word processing software. The department will provide specific details regarding the computer requirements.
Master of Long Term Care Administration
The Master of Long Term Care Administration provides an opportunity for professionals who are currently working in a long term care profession to acquire skills and formal training in long term care administration. The online program requires 28 units of course work.
The required courses are in sequential order and are restricted by availability. Continuous registration in the program is required. Leaves of absence are available for limited times and are excluded from the total time limit.
In order to participate in the online courses, students will be required to have access to a multimedia computer with modem, printer and CD-ROM drive; an Internet provider with email and an Internet browser; and word processing software. Specific details regarding the computer requirements will be provided by the department.
Admission standards are the same as for the Master of Science in Gerontology.
Transfer Credits
An admission credit evaluation is prepared for graduate students with previous graduate level course work. This review indicates which courses the university will approve but it is the relevant school (Gerontology, Business, or Public Policy) that determines if any of these courses are appropriate for this degree. A maximum of 4 units may be used toward the master’s degree.
Graduate transfer credit will not be granted for life experience, credit by examination, non-credit extension courses, correspondence courses or thesis supervision. Graduate transfer credit will not be granted for any course work taken elsewhere after the student has been admitted and enrolled at USC unless the student receives prior written approval from the department.
| Required Courses (24 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 509 | Concepts of Financial and Management Accounting | 4 |
| FBE 587 | Legal and Regulatory Environment of Long Term Care | 4 |
| GERO 500 | Perspectives on a Changing Society: An Introduction to Aging | 4 |
| GERO 508 | The Mind and Body Connection through the Lifespan, or | |
| GERO 522 | Counseling Older Adults and Their Families | 4 |
| PPD 601 | Management of Long-Term Care Organizations | 4 |
| PPD 649 | Concepts and Practices in Public Personnel Administration | 4 |
Students must select one course (for a total of 28 units) from the following courses.
| Elective Course (4 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| GERO 520 | Life Span Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| GERO 530 | Life Span Developmental Sociology | 4 |
| GERO 540 | Social Policy and Aging | 4 |
| GERO 589 | Case Studies in Leadership and Change Management | 4 |
Pharm.D./Graduate Certificate in Gerontology
This integrated program in pharmacy and gerontology prepares students with an interest in geriatric pharmacy to assume leadership roles at academic, administrative or policy levels within the profession.
The program involves the completion of 16 units of core courses in physiology, psychology, sociology and social policy aspects of aging offered by the School of Gerontology. In addition, students are required to complete 8 units of approved elective courses in gerontology or geriatric pharmacy to be credited toward the requirements for the Pharm.D. and the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology.
| Required courses in gerontology | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| GERO 508 | The Mind and Body Connection through the Lifespan, or | |
| GERO 510 | Physiology of Development and Aging | 4 |
| GERO 520 | Life Span Developmental Psychology, or | |
| GERO 522 | Counseling Older Adults and Their Families | 4 |
| GERO 530 | Life Span Developmental Sociology, or | |
| GERO 585 | The Aging Family | 4 |
| GERO 540 | Social Policy and Aging | 4 |
| 16 | ||
| electives in gerontology and geriatric pharmacy (8 Units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| GERO 554 | Evaluation: Incorporating Evidence-Based Practices | 4 |
| GERO 555 | Integrating Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Approach | 4 |
| PHRD 655 | Geriatric Pharmacy I | 3 |
| PHRD 656 | Geriatric Pharmacy II | 3 |
| PHRD 703 | Long Term Care Clerkship | 6 |
| PHRD 706 | Geriatrics Clerkship | 6 |
| PHRD 730 | Acute Care Geriatrics Clerkship | 6 |
| PHRD 731 | Advanced Geriatrics Clerkship | 6 |
It is expected that the program can be successfully completed by candidates taking electives in geriatric pharmacy or gerontology during the regular semester and completing one core course in gerontology during each summer in the four year Pharm.D. program.
Admission Requirements
Students who have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university must submit separate applications to the USC School of Pharmacy and the USC Davis School of Gerontology. All requirements for admission to the regular Pharm.D. program must be fulfilled by the candidate. GRE scores are not required for admission to the certificate program.