Skip to Content

Gerontology

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Overview

A large group of older adults smiling for the camera

California’s population is aging. Approximately 29% of Californians are already 55+, the percent will increase to 33% by 2033, and in 2060, 38% of Californians will be 55+. This trend has increased the demand for a workforce with expertise in aging. Our Gerontology program offers degrees and certificates that will prepare you to start your career in the expanding field of aging or transfer to a university.

Do You Have Questions About Gerontology?

Visit our Gerontology Department web pages for answers to these and many other questions:

  • What makes the ARC Gerontology program one of the best programs in the nation?
  • Does ARC offer fully online gerontology degrees and courses?
  • What is Gerontology, and what is the Gerontological Perspective?
  • Does a Gerontology degree provide career security?
  • What do Gerontologists do, and where do they work?
  • What types of positions do Gerontologists obtain?

Gerontology at ARC

The gerontology occupational associate of arts degrees are nationally accredited by the Accreditation for Gerontology Education Council (AGEC) and nationally recognized as Programs of Merit by the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) within the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). They prepare students for employment in the field of aging or transfer to a university. Graduates of these programs meet the Gerontological Coordinator credential requirement of the National Association for Professional Gerontologists (NAPG). These degrees require core gerontology, human services, and communication courses, work experience, and specialization courses.

The regular gerontology associate of arts degree prepares students for transfer into programs offered by the College of Social Science and Interdisciplinary Studies and the College of Health and Human Services at California State University Sacramento. The degree requires core gerontology courses, lower division prerequisites for the Sacramento State programs, California general education requirements, and CSU and CSUS graduation requirements.

The gerontology occupational certificates of achievement are nationally recognized as Programs of Merit by the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) and the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). These occupational certificates require the same course as the occupational degrees, except they do not require general education courses. Students who have already satisfied the general education course requirements in another program receive an AA after completing the certificate requirements.

Course, Degree, and Certificate Advisories:

  • A Senior Caregiver Specialist certificate will be added to the catalog soon, but certificate courses are already being offered, see any 0.5-unit courses on the schedule or course list.
  • New gerontology associate of science degrees will be available soon to prepare students for transfer into the CSUS Social Work, Communication Science & Disorders, Recreation Therapy, Health Science, and Public Health programs.
  • The Social Services Designee course and certificate are being revised and the course will not be offered in the 2023-2024 school year.
  • These certificates are being sunset and the courses are no longer being offered:
    • Senior Fitness Specialist
    • Activity Leaders/Coordinators
    • RCFE Administrator Training