PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Gerontology Programs were established in recognition of this country's booming elderly population, and the implications of this demographic trend for the field of long-term care (home-based, community-based, and institutionally-based). Long-term care is the fastest growing segment of the health care industry; there is a critical need to provide a core of professional personnel aspiring to careers in long-term care administration with the knowledge and skills to address the complex issues in gerontology. The financing, policy, programming, and regulatory issues in the field of long-term care administration (i.e. OBRA, Title 22) require intensive study as they relate to the aging population.

The Master of Arts in Gerontology requires the completion of at least 30 units with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B). The curriculum provides a cluster of required Core Courses reflecting the interdisciplinary view of aging and providing the conceptual framework needed to explore and plan career goals. An academic emphasis is offered in Long-Term Care Administration with Elective Courses to round out the credit requirements in accordance with individual interests and needs. It is designed to expand and upgrade the knowledge and skills of students interested in this field; it will prepare students for a supervised AIT/Internship which will qualify them for the licensure examination administered by the California Board of Nursing Home Administrators.

PROGRAM ADMISSION

Students are expected to meet these criteria within their first year of study:

1. Meet the admissions standards of San Francisco State University.

2. Have an earned undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (B).

3. Have completed an introductory course in gerontology or its equivalent.

4. Have documented competence or experience in interpersonal/group communication skills as demonstrated in course work, letters of recommendation, or personal interview with admissions committee.

5. Have completed course work or demonstrated competence in statistics. Competence may be demonstrated by passing a statistics proficiency test.

6. Three letters of recommendation from employers or faculty.
 

PROGRAM CURRICULUM

Required Core Courses in Gerontology (15 units)

GRN 705 Gerontology: An Interdisciplinary Synthesis (3 units)

GRN 710 Aging Processes (3 units)

GRN 715 Aging and Social Intervention (3 units)

GRN 760 Research Methods in Gerontology (3 units)

GRN 895 Field Study or GRN 898 Master's Thesis (3 units)

Required Core Courses in Long-Term Care Administration (12 units)

GRN 740 Long-Term Care Administration I (3 units)

GRN 745 Long-Term Care Administration II (3 units)

GRN 838 Gerontology AIT Internship Seminar (3 units)

GRN 839 Gerontology AIT/Internship (3 units)

Elective Courses in Gerontology (3 units)

GRN 510 Death and Dying (3 units)

GRN 525 Literature on Aging (3 units)

GRN 699 Special Study (1-3 units)

GRN 720 Profession of Gerontology (3 units)

GRN 725 Ethnogerontology (3 units)

GRN 730 Social Work and the Aged (3 units)

GRN 735 Ethical Issues and the Aged (3 units)

GRN 775 Issues in Gerontology (3 units)

GRN 897 Gerontology Research (1-3 units)

GRN 899 Special Study (1-3 units)
 

AIT/INTERNSHIP SITES

San Francisco State University is working with the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA), California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF), California Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (CAHSA), and Nursing Home Administrators Program on 480-hour AIT/Internships. These may include, but are not limited to, the following long-term care facilities. Some of these AIT/ Internship sites offer a paid stipend and/or other benefits such as tuition, books, etc.

American Baptist Homes of the West; Burlingame Nursing & Rehab; California Pacific Medical Center; Chaparral House; College Park Convalescent Center; Country Villa Sheraton; Diana Lynn Lodge; Forum at Rancho San Antonio; Fredericka Manor Care Center; Hillhaven; Jewish Home for the Aged; Lake Park Retirement Residence; Linda Mar Rehabilitation Center; Lytton Gardens Community Housing; Manor Care; Northgate Convalescent Hospital; Oakland Nursing Rehab Center; Pacific Nursing & Rehab Center; Prather Methodist Memorial Homes; Salem Lutheran Home; San Bruno Skilled Nursing Hospital; Southern California Presbyterian Homes; Sycamore Park Convalescent Hospital; The Guardian, Rossmoor; The Guardian, Smith Ranch; The Redwoods; The San Francisco Towers; The Sequoias, San Francisco; The Tamalpais; Villa Siena; etc.
 

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Long-term care administration is in a period of expansion and diversification. Professional requirements vary widely depending on state and federal regulations for the specific area of administration. Long-term care administrators manage and direct the daily operations of long-term care facilities. Employment opportunities for long-term care administrators are available and may be found in: Hospital Systems; Retirement Communities; Skilled Nursing Facilities; Assisted Living Facilities; Rehabilitation Facilities; Sub-Acute Care Facilities; Home Health Care Programs; Geriatric Centers; Senior Day Care Centers; Special Population Programs (AIDS, Pediatrics, Mental Health); and Hospice Facilities (ACHCA, 1995).
 

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA), Gerontology Organization (GO), Gerontological Society of America (GSA), and Sigma Phi Omega (Beta Xi) are active groups on the San Francisco State University (SFSU) campus. As a student member of the ACHCA and GSA at SFSU, you can attend local meetings, call upon local members for guidance, communicate with members through computer services, and get official publications (Balance, Journals of Gerontology, and The Gerontologist). GO and Beta Xi at SFSU enable student members to participate in various extracurricular activities in gerontology.
 

PROGRAM FACULTY

        Brian De Vries, Ph.D.
        Stephen A. Echaves, Pharm.D.
        Nancy Giunta, M.A.
        Mark Kubic, M.D.
        Beth MacLeod, M.S.W.
        Patricia L. McGinnis, J.D.
        Sherry O. McIlwain, M.A., RN
        Joseph F. Melichar, Ph.D.
        Patrick Nobis
        Anabel O. Pelham, Ph.D.
        Julee Richardson, Ph.D.
        Jean Robinson, M.S.W.
        Donna E. Schafer, Ph.D.
        Paul Takayanagi, M.A.
        Arliss Webster, M.A.
        Darlene Yee, Ed.D., CHES
 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

We hope the foregoing information was helpful. Official requirements of all majors and programs are published in the University Bulletin. Request for procedures for admission to the foregoing program should be directed to Office of Admissions at (415) 338-2411. For further information, you may contact:

        Dr. Darlene Yee
        Professor, Gerontology
        Coordinator, Long-Term Care Administration
        Director, Health, Mobility and Safety Lab
        San Francisco State University
        College of Health and Human Services
        Gerontology Programs
        1600 Holloway Avenue
        San Francisco, CA 94132-4151

        Phone: 415-338-3558       FAX: 415-338-3556       Email:dyee@sfsu.edu