Gerontology
Certificate of Achievement Gerontology · Chaffey College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Description
The Gerontology Certificate of Achievement program supports a widespread community, state, and national need by developing and empowering an aging-minded workforce to address demographic shifts in the population. As an inherently interdisciplinary field, this program provides a foundational understanding of the biopsychosocial mechanisms that affect aging, and exposes students to the seemingly unlimited opportunities within the field of gerontology. Students completing this program are prepared to immediately join the growing workforce of elderly direct care service.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon the successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Describe the importance of planning for their own later years.
- Explain how cultural ethnic, racial, gender and social class diversity as well as disability and dementia affect aging.
- Explain how aging is changing, with recent cohorts such as Baby Boomers “aging” less or later and healthier.
- Evaluate policy debates, e.g. public programs and the costs associated with an aging population.
- Identify new professions and careers for an aging society, in addition to “direct care” services.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements for the Certificate of Achievement (CA): | 8 | |
| GERO 22 | Dying and Death | 3 |
| GERO 97AB | Gerontology Career Experience Internship | 2 |
| Choose one: | 3 | |
| GERO 18 | The Social, Cultural, and Policy Issues of an Aging Society | 3 |
| orGERO 24 | Intergenerational Relationships and Aging | 3 |
| Total | 8 | |
Other Information
Health and Wellness
Local Program (Major) Code: L230
Program Control Number: 20736
TOP Code: 1309.00*
CIP Code: 19.0702