Master of Arts in Gerontology

Graduate Advisors: Takagi and Yee-Melichar

Admission to Program

Students must meet the following criteria:

• Meet the admissions standards of the University.
• Have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Apply online through CalState Apply. The Office of Graduate Admissions no longer accepts paper applications to graduate programs. Click here for important information and instructions on using the CalState Apply online application system. Submit the following materials by uploading them to the Cal State Apply online application:
  • Two letters of recommendation from faculty and/or employers. These should be from individuals who know the candidate well and can address their potential for succeeding in graduate school. The letters do not have to be from faculty members at an academic institution, they can be from supervisors or others familiar with the candidate's work.
  • A current resume.
  • Statement of purpose to the SF State M.A. in Gerontology Program. This statement of purpose should describe the following information in a coherent essay (in no more than four pages, double-spaced):
    • Life experiences that have led you to an interest in gerontology
    • Background in gerontology, including any work or volunteer experience you might have 
    • Areas of specific interests in the gerontology, including what has led you to these specific interests
    • Career and professional goals and aspiration
    • How the M. A. in Gerontology degree will be helpful and consistent with your career goals and aspirations
    • Why this is the right time in your career to come into a Gerontology program and seek the degree
    • Why the SF State M.A. in Gerontology degree program is a good fit for you and your career and professional goals

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Graduate students will demonstrate mastery of content knowledge and professional skills in the psycho-social aspects of aging.
2. Graduate students will demonstrate mastery of content knowledge and professional skills in the bio-medical aspects of aging.
3. Graduate students will demonstrate mastery of content knowledge and professional skills in the socio-economic aspects of aging.
4. Graduate students will demonstrate mastery of content knowledge and professional skills in applied research in aging.
5. Graduate students will demonstrate mastery of content knowledge and professional skills in community-based internship in aging.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One Preadmission

Indicate the ability to write in a proficient manner by satisfactorily submitting a written statement of purpose for pursuing a graduate degree in gerontology. Applicants who do not submit a well-written statement of purpose will be advised to enhance their writing proficiency by taking a prerequisite course and then reapplying to the program.

Level Two

Indicate the ability to write in a scholarly manner in the discipline by satisfactorily completing GRN 890 for the culminating experience requirement.

Requirements for Graduation

• Meet all general requirements for submission of the Advancement to Candidacy (ATC).
• Successfully complete core and elective courses.
• Successfully complete GRN 838/GRN 839, and GRN 890. Students are required to complete GRN 890 as their capstone or culminating experience. In this course, students prepare and present an integrative paper on a topic of professional relevance. Each student paper requires a second reader, thus fulfilling culminating experience Graduate Division requirements and ensuring both breadth and comprehension. If necessary, students must maintain continuous enrollment in GRN 897 until they have completed their culminating experience requirements.
• Demonstrate the ability to maintain a 3.0 GPA in graduate coursework.
• With the assistance of a Gerontology program advisor, choose a faculty committee that will be responsible for evaluating the oral presentation and written paper in the integrative seminar.

Gerontology Scholarships

• Anabel Pelham Gerontology Scholarship
• Long-Term Care Administration Scholarship
• Michelle Benjamin Scholarship Fund
• Monarch Village/Peninsula del Rey Scholarship
• Patrick Nobis RCFE Endowed Scholarship
   

Gerontology (M.A.) — 33 units

Required Courses (30 units)

Course List

Code	Title	Units
GRN 705	Aging in a Multidimensional Context	3
GRN 710	Aging Processes: Health and Human Services	3
GRN 715	Age and Social Policy Analysis	3
GRN 725	Aging and Diversity	3
GRN 735	Ethical and Legal Issues in Aging and Social Services	3
GRN 760	Research Methods in Gerontology	3
GRN 765	Aging and Continuum of Care	3
GRN 838	Gerontology Seminar	3
GRN 839	Gerontology Internship	3
GRN 890	Integrative Seminar	3

Elective (3 units)

An elective course may be chosen from various graduate programs, including Consumer & Family Studies/Dietetics; Counseling; Criminal Justice, Environmental Studies, Health Education; Kinesiology; Nursing; Recreation, Parks, and Tourism; Management; Public Administration; Social Work; and Urban Studies and Planning.