Master of Science in Gerontology

The Master of Science in Gerontology prepares graduates to assume professional leadership positions in the delivery of services to older people and their families, in the planning and evaluation of services, in administration of programs and in the instruction of older people and service providers.

All students take core courses in physiological, psychological, sociological and social policy aspects of aging, as well as courses in professional issues in gerontology and research methods.

In addition, a series of courses, selected from a list of skill requirements, is chosen to assist the student in developing specific professional practice skills. A field practicum assures that these skills can be applied in agencies and institutional settings.

The Master of Science in Gerontology requires 52 units of course work and field experience. This includes 32 units of required courses and 20 units of specialization courses. 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 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.

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 statement of interest in gerontology and letters of reference. Interviews may be required.

An approved statistics course is required of all students entering the program.

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 Davis School at any time determines deficiency in academic achievement or upon failure of the comprehensive examination after two attempts.

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 591z	Field Practicum	8
GERO 593	Research Methods	4

Skill requirements: 12 units from the following

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	Program Evaluation	4
Electives		8

Capstone Course

GERO 555

Integrating Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Approach

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 skills requirements and eight units of electives.

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 480 hours of community involvement, generally over two semesters.

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 591z Field Practicum.

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 52 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 591z	Field Practicum	8
GERO 593	Research Methods	4
Gerontology skill requirements		12
Gerontology electives		4
GERO 555	Integrating Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Approach	4
		____
		36

Program Adaptation

Three of the following courses, GERO 510, 520, 530 and 540, will be waived for students in the advanced placement track.

Requirements for the Specialization in the Health Service Area with Long Term 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
PUAD 530	Problems and Issues in the Health Field	4
PUAD 558	Quantitative Analysis I, or
PUAD 585	Human Behavior in Public Organizations	4
PUAD 531a	Financial Management of Health Services, or
PUAD 551	Financial Accounting in the Public and Non-Profit Sectors	4
Elective		4
		____
		16
One specialized course from the following:		Units
GERO 550	Administration and System Management in Programs for Older Adults	4
PUAD 508	Management of HMOs and Ambulatory Care Services	4
PUAD 509	Management of Long-Term Care Organizations	4
PUAD 569	Administration of Mental Health Services	4

Graduate Level Certificate in Gerontology

The 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 24 units of gerontology content designed to familiarize the student with several areas of the field which relate to professional practice.

In addition to the required core courses for the certificate program (GERO 510, 520, 530, 540, 555), each student will have the option to choose elective courses which meet 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.

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 (GERO 510, 520, 530, 540). In addition, students are required to complete 8 to 12 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 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 555	Integrating Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Approach	4
		____
		16
Eight units of electives in gerontology and geriatric pharmacy required		Units
GERO 545	Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Health Promotion	2
GERO 546	Health Assessment and Client Management for the Elderly	2
GERO 555	Integrating Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Approach	4
GERO 561	Education for the Older Adult	2-4
PHAR 559	Geriatric Pharmacy I	3
PHAR 560	Geriatric Pharmacy II	3
PHAR 603	Skilled Nursing Facility Clerkship	6
PHAR 606	Geriatrics Clerkship	6
PHAR 631	Acute Care Geriatrics Clerkship	4-6
PHAR 632	Advanced Geriatrics Clerkship	6
		____
		8

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 School of Pharmacy and the 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.

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