Employment

Opportunities
Graduates from this program can expect to find career
placements in county councils on aging, area agencies
on aging, social services agencies, housing authorities, long-term care, recreation facilities and many
other public and private agencies. Job titles in the field
include:
With Completion of an A.A. Degree/Certificate
Home Care Companion
Activity Director
RCFE Administrator
Adult Educator
Transportation Coordinator
Meal Coordinator
Admission Coordinator
Marketing Coordinator
Travel/Tour Specialist
Home Safety/Home Organization Specialist
With Completion of an B.A. or M.A. plus the
Gerontology Certificate
Dept. of Human Services Worker
Senior Center Director
Administrator for assisted living
Administrator for independent living
Marketing Director
Care Manager
Geriatric Social Worker
Geropsychologist
Gerontologist

Coastlines Mission
Coastline Community College is committed to student
success through accessible and flexible education
within and beyond the traditional classroom.

Coastlines
Gerontology
Program

To find out more...

Visit Coastlines administrative office in Fountain
Valley or a Coastline campus in Westminster, Garden
Grove or Costa Mesa, or call:

(714) 241-6213
or visit
http://gerontology.coastline.edu

About the Program

Gerontology, the interdisciplinary study of aging,
offers students an understanding of their own aging
and of societys response to the increasing population
of older people. Gerontology coursework will provide
information about the aging process and training to
work in services and agencies that interact with older
people.

COASTLINE
COMMUNIT Y COLLEGE

Students have the option of completing the

gerontology major as part of their A.A. degree, the
certificate of achievement with the A.A. degree,
or the certificate alone.

Coastline Community College

Acting President: Kevin J. McElroy
Coast Community College District
Board of Trustees:
Mary L. Hornbuckle, Walter G. Howald, Jim Moreno,
Jerry Patterson, Lorraine Prinsky, Ph.D., and Robert Lane,
Student Trustee

The Coastline Community College Gerontology Program

offers a variety of courses that helped me become knowledgeable in the field. The subjects range from the biology
of aging, nutritional needs of the elderly, and classes to
assist the caregiver with an aging loved one. All of the instructors were very helpful and supportive with resources.
My studies assist me professionally in my nursing home
occupation and in my personal life with aging parents, and
other family members. This program is a good beginning
as the learning process goes on every day. More and more
people are entering retirement years and face financial and
health issues. This makes Gerontology is an increasingly
important field.

Laura Nyce, Business Manager,

Country Villa Health Services

Interim Chancellor:
Ding-Jo H. Currie, Ph.D.
Accreditation: Coastline is accredited by the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges, a nationally
recognized regional accrediting agency.
Non-Discrimination Statement: It is the policy of the
Coast Community College District to provide all persons
with equal employment and educational opportunities
regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age,
handicap, marital or Vietnam-era status.

GeronBrochure_Fall2009.indd

Complete the Gerontology major

or get a certificate of achievement in
one year or less at Coastline

Tomorrows College Today.

Being in transition, I was looking into growth fields in

which to equip myself for a new career opportunity. I
found the Gerontology program at Coastline to be relevant,
timely and challenging. Within a short period of time I
was able to grasp many of the basic concepts and issues
that gerontologists study each day. Thru my internship
and volunteer activity I applied classroom material to real
life situations. Most importantly I found the instructors
approachable for advisement in the many fields in which
gerontologists are employed today.

Richard Williams, Administrator,

Wycliffe Casa De Seniors

Choose the gerontology

your

major or earn

Coastline was able to teach me what I needed. The

online classes and the helpfulness and expertise of
the instructors gave me the ability to study while
working full time. And now, working on behalf of
the elderly is my full time career!

certificate of achievement.

Bonnie Kuhl, Executive Secretary,

Hospital Administration

Gerontology
Certificate of
Achievement
COURSES

Gerontology Major
COURSES

Units

Required Courses - 12 units

*BIOL C120 /GERO C126 Biology of Aging......................................... 3.0
*GERO C120 Professional Issues.............................................................. 3.0
*PSYCH C170/GERO C127 Psychology of Aging............................... 3.0
*SOC C120/GERO125 Introduction to Gerontology........................ 3.0
Select a minimum of 6 units of the following elective courses
* F&N C175/GERO C128 Nutrition and Aging................................ 3.0
*HLTH C175/GERO C129 Healthy Aging.............................................. 3.0
Or other F&N or Health courses approved by the Gerontology Dept.
*GERO C123 Activity Leadership.............................................................. 2.0
*GERO C124 Aging and Public Policy ................................................... 3.0
*GERO C130 Techniques of Working with Frail Elderly................. 3.0
*GERO C140 Aging in a Multicultural Society..................................... 3.0
*GERO C190-C195 Issues in Aging.................................................... 0.5-3.0
*GERO C273 Careers in Gerontology: Field Practicum................... 3.0
GERO C281-C284 Cooperative Work Experience...................... 1.0-4.0
Or other Gerontology courses approved by the Gerontology Dept.
LAW C142 Probate Administration/Estate Planning......................... 3.0
LAW C148 Elder Law....................................................................................... 1.5
HSC C100 Introduction to Human Services......................................... 3.0
Or other Human Services courses approved by the Gerontology Dept.
*These courses qualify as continuing education units for a
variety of agencies. See the Gerontology website for the most upto-date information.
Total ....................................................................................................................18.0

Units

Required Courses - 12 units

*BIOL C120/GERO C126 Biology of Aging.......................................... 3.0
*GERO C120 Professional Issues.............................................................. 3.0
*PSYCH C170/GERO C127 Psychology of Aging............................... 3.0
*SOC C120/GERO C125 Introduction to Gerontology................... 3.0
Select a minimum of 2 units of the following elective courses
*F&N C175/GERO C128 Nutrition and Aging..................................... 3.0
*GERO C123 Activity Leadership.............................................................. 2.0
*GERO C124 Aging and Public Policy..................................................... 3.0
*GERO C130 Techniques of Working with Frail Elderly................. 3.0
*GERO C140 Aging in a Multicultural Society..................................... 3.0
*GERO C190-C195 Issues in Aging.................................................... 0.5-3.0
*HLTH C175/GERO C129 Healthy Aging.............................................. 3.0
LAW C142 Probate Administration/Estate Planning......................... 3.0
LAW C148 Elder Law....................................................................................... 1.5
PSYCH C172 Counselor Training.............................................................. 3.0
Select a minimum of 3 units of the following field experience courses
*GERO C273 Careers in Gerontology: Field Practicum................... 3.0
GERO C283-C284 Cooperative Work Experience...................... 3.0-4.0
*These courses qualify as continuing education units for a
variety of agencies. See the Gerontology website for the most upto-date information.
ADDITIONAL ELECTIVES
Select units of additional electives from any of the categories
above or from outside the field of gerontology for a total of 21
units. Suggested electives include additional field experience
courses in gerontology, nutrition, health, human services, job
search strategies and/or business.
Total .................................................................................................................... 21.0
Additional requirement: Students must obtain a current
American Red Cross Standard First Aid/CPR Card.

FAQs
Q. Major or Certificate of Achievement in
Gerontology- Which is best for me?
A. If you are working on an A.A. Degree you need to
declare a major and complete 18 units of requirements
within that major. If you would like an overview of
the field of aging while completing your A.A. Degree,
gerontology is a good option. Many of the courses are
cross discipline and therefore count towards the major as
well as your general education requirements for the A.A.
Degree and for transfer to a four-year institution. If you
would like more of a specialization in aging, including
the opportunity to learn about careers and work or
volunteer in the field, the certificate of achievement
would be your best choice. Some of our students work
on the Certificate as well as the A.A. Degree, but many
of our certificate students already hold degrees and use
their additional studies to add aging expertise to their
resumes. Students also seek the certificate because they
want to learn about their own aging process or because
they are caring for a loved one and seek information to
better their quality of life.
Q. What can I do with a Certificate in Gerontology?

Program Outcomes
A Community Advisory Boardrepresenting employers, educators, and gerontology program alumni all
participated in establishing the skill sets we expect
students completing the gerontology program to be
able to apply after graduation. At a minimum, our graduates will be able to:

Interpret and apply gerontological theories in

everyday life.

Apply effective communication skills in a variety

of settings.

Demonstrate the use of solid research principles

in supporting opinions/ideas.

Evaluate and assess individual needs and

environmental demands in preparing an
appropriate plan to maintain functional capacity
and adaptation at the optimal level throughout the
life cycle.

A. The worlds demographics are quickly changing. The

population 85 years and older is the fastest growing
proportion of the worlds population. Knowledge of the
aging process can help in almost any field, from health
care and travel to business, fashion and architecture.
You can create your own business to fill a service niche or
follow a more traditional path and work for a city, state
or federal agency serving the elderly and their families.
See the Employment Opportunities Page of this brochure
for some job titles.
Q. How can I support the training of future
gerontology students?
A. The Gerontology Program has a foundation account
and donations are used to support networking and
other events that are free for our students and alumni.
To expand their professional contacts and experiences,
students are offered stipends to attend meetings of
professional groups in aging when they are held locally.
The program also sponsors a competitive scholarship to
offset the costs of books and student fees for one student
each year. To make a donation, contact the Department
at the number on this brochure.
See our website for more FAQs:
http://gerontology.coastline.edu