This degree provides a broad overview of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of adult development and aging as a foundation for a gerontological biopsychosocial perspective. Additional human services and psychology courses are included to provide a case management and social services focus. This program is intended for students who plan to seek employment upon completion of the degree.
Entry-level care management and social services positions in state and local government agencies, non-profit organizations, institutions, and private sector businesses that provide older people and adults with disabilities with information and referral service, service coordination, employment and legal services, activity and recreation programs, health education and health promotion programs, housing, medical care, and in-home support services. Graduates with this focus may also become self-employed.

Student Learning Outcomes
✔ associate social conditions in the current and recent past with their potential impact on future aging cohorts.
✔ evaluate the impact of diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender and sexual orientation, and citizenship on well-being during aging and on aging outcomes.
✔ generalize knowledge about cognition and memory during aging to how people learn and remember at any age.
✔ recognize macro, mezzo, and micro level ageism messages that marginalize and stigmatize older people.
✔ enumerate the functions of social service delivery systems.
✔ synthesize knowledge of existing California professional codes of ethics for the helping professions.
✔ analyze legal and ethical issues related to aging including the mandatory reporting of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, value imposition, and end-of-life decisions.
✔ demonstrate ease, confidence, rapport, and listening skills during interactions with older adults at various levels of function.
✔ differentiate between aging-related changes and the effects of social condition and deprivations, and physical and mental diseases, disorders, deficits, injuries, and disabilities.
✔ assess the impacts of lifestyle choices on the biopsychosocial domains of function during aging.
✔ apply biopsychosocial gerontological knowledge to case studies and real-life situations.
✔ list services for seniors and adults with disabilities available within a community.
✔ assess the psychological, physiological, and sociocultural issues related to substance use, misuse, and abuse.
✔ demonstrate the techniques of interviewing and counseling individuals or groups appropriate for associate level helpers in social service agency settings.
✔ describe the psychological, social, philosophical, and legal issues related to death.