Begin Your Career In Gerontology

Career opportunities in gerontology will be a growing field in the 21st century workplace. By completing Pasadena City College's (PCC) gerontology program, you can be one of the highly trained professionals responding to new opportunities created by an aging society. 

This program is designed to be completed in months.

This program will cost if completed within normal time. There may be additional costs for living expenses. These costs were accurate at the time of posting, but may have changed.

Of the students who completed this program within normal time, the typical graduate leaves with of debt.

License requirements:

For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions please click here: www.collegescorecard.ed.gov.

This program has not passed standards established by the U.S. Department of Education. The Department based these standards on the amounts students borrow for enrollment in this program and their reported earnings. If in the future the program does not pass the standards, students who are then enrolled may not be able to use federal student grants or loans to pay for the program, and may have to find other ways, such as private loans, to pay for the program.

  • Program Length:

    12 - 18 units

  • Program Options:
    • Occupational Skills Certificate
    • Certificate of Achievement 

  • Program Accreditation:
    PCC Institutional Accreditation

Program Description:

Gerontology is concerned with the study and application of knowledge about the physical, social, and economic conditions of older people. Aging affects all aspects of human activity, thus gerontology is multidisciplinary in nature. The program prepares students for careers in the field of aging. 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 Associate Degree
Home Care Companion
Activity Director
Adult Educator
Transportation Coordinator
Meal Coordinator
Admission Coordinator
Marketing Coordinator
Travel/Tour Specialist
Home Safety/Home Organization Specialist

With Completion of a B.A. or M.A.
Department of Human Services Worker
Senior Center Director
Administrator for assisted living
Administrator for independent living
Marketing Director
Care Manager
Geriatric Social Worker
Gerontologist

A Certificate of Achievement is awarded upon completion of all required courses with a grade of C or better.

The Gerontology Program

Pasadena City College's gerontology program will train you for a career in the field of aging. Aging affects all aspects of human activity, so gerontology is multi-disciplinary in nature. Gerontology is concerned with the study and application of knowledge about the physical, economic, and social conditions of older adults. After completing our two-semester long program, you can expect to find career opportunities in county councils on aging, social service agencies, housing authorities, long-term care, recreation facilities, and many other private and public agencies.

View Required Coursework

Get Started

There are no additional application requirements for the Gerontology program. Just complete the application and enrollment steps to attend PCC, and you can begin working towards a Gerontology certificate! 

Get Started at PCC

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be assessed on their ability to

1. Demonstrate knowledge of relationships among older adults, their families, and society.
2. Apply current theory and research in the interdisciplinary field of gerontology and its role in society to assess biological, social, and psychological issues that impact older adults and those who work with and care for them.
3. Analyze aspects of ageism in American society and socially conscious behavior regarding the older population.
4. Apply acquired interdisciplinary knowledge of older adults in varied career applications, such as design of services for older adults, patient care, and engineering and technology for independent living.