Students planning to pursue a B.S. are urged to notify the school of this intent as early as possible during their undergraduate study. This will help insure that the student receives proper advisement and that the student is alerted to any special requirements or program modifications.
During the freshman and sophomore years, students enroll primarily in general education required courses as specified by the School of Gerontology. These include the four introductory gerontology courses (GERO 210, 220, 230, 240).
During their junior and senior years, students enroll in required and elective courses in the School of Gerontology as well as other courses throughout the university. These courses are selected in consultation with an advisor and reflect the personal and professional interests of the students.
A grade point average of at least C (2.0) on all units attempted at USC is required for undergraduate degrees. The School of Gerontology requires a minimum 2.0 grade point average in upper division major courses.
A Health Science track within the Bachelor of Science in Gerontology program has been designed for students who wish to pursue a career in medicine or other health related fields. Students will be able to meet medical school entrance requirements, while the program will also provide appropriate breadth and rigor of gerontology instruction and fulfill general education requirements. In addition, students will participate in a supervised practicum experience in which they will become directly involved with aging clients in a health care setting. Students interested in this program must make application to the department and be approved for admission to this specialized track. Upon acceptance, student progress will be closely monitored by a faculty advisor.
Foreign Language (12 units) The student must pass the skill level examination in one language or complete PDP 101x, 250x and two 100x programming courses.
(1) The Natural World (12 units) Three courses are required: one Earth Science, one Physical Science and GERO 210.
(2) Representative Cultures (8 units) GERO 240 and one course from the approved list in Western Culture I, Western Culture II or Non-Western Cultures are required.
(3) Representative Approaches to the Study of the Individual, Culture and Society (24 units)
| A. | Empirical Approaches -- 1 course from the approved list and GERO 220 and 230 |
| B. | Literature -- 1 course from the approved list |
| C. | The Arts -- 1 course from the approved list |
| D. | Ethical Approaches -- 1 course from the approved list |
| Required courses | Units | |
| GERO 350 | Administrative Problems in Aging | 4 |
| GERO 451 | Policy and Program Development in Aging | 4 |
| GERO 481 | Working with the Aged | 4 |
| GERO 491 | Gerontology Practicum | 4 |
| GERO 492 | Senior Seminar in Aging | 4 |
| Gerontology electives | 12 | |
| ____ | ||
| 32 | ||
| Other requirements | Units | |
| One approved statistics course | 4 | |
| Electives in gerontology and related disciplines | 28 | |
| ____ | ||
| 32 | ||
Eight units of electives must be upper division and 20 units can be either upper or lower division electives.
Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995