Program director
Kimberly Freeman
Closed to admission for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Social work and gerontology—within a behavioral health framework—address the models of wellness, recovery, and resiliency needed for working with older adults and their caregivers. The program’s multidisciplinary approach considers the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being of older adults and provides students with knowledge and skills in providing resources, clinical services, and opportunities to older adults and their families. As such, the combined M.S.W. and M.S. degree in gerontology program offers a unique opportunity for individuals interested in working with older adults within a variety of behavioral health settings.
The mission, program goals, and objectives build on elements from both the M.S.W. and M.S. degrees in gerontology.
The combined M.S.W./M.S. degrees in gerontology program is a seven-quarter, full-time curriculum that begins with the social work core coursework required for all students. Coursework during the first year of study includes the generalist practice curriculum, which is grounded in the liberal arts and the person-in-environment framework. Within this framework, students learn to promote social well-being, and build on the strength and resiliency of all human beings through a range of prevention and intervention practice methods when working with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. During their second year, students complete a clinical practice specialization along with specialized courses in gerontology and geriatric practice. An integrated practicum and specialized seminar class in gerontology typically begins in the summer quarter of the final year.
The combined M.S.W. and M.S. degrees in gerontology curriculum is built upon a liberal arts perspective. Individual applicants whose undergraduate degrees do not reflect this perspective may be asked to enroll in additional courses.
Please note: Any prerequisite requirements must be completed before admission to the combined degrees M.S.W/M.S. program.
Alternate program options have been designed to address the varying needs of students. As such, the program offers two-, three-, and four-year options.
Due to the use of online and hybrid teaching formats, visas are not available to international students and therefore international students cannot not be accepted into the M.S.W. Program.
Laptop Computer
Students are required to have a laptop computer. For computer specifications, see the department website.
Closed to admission for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Students wishing to take the dual degree must be admitted to both the M.S.W. and the M.S. in Gerontology programs separately. Applicants should refer to the admissions criteria for each program.
The M.S.W./M.S. in Gerontology degrees consists of 90 units of didactic coursework in addition to professional practica experiences. The dual degree program provides the mix of academic, experiential, and research activities essential for master’s degree level students. Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale (a letter grade of B) in order to progress successfully through the program and complete the degree. In addition, students must meet the knowledge, skills, and professional performance competencies outlined by the program. Students must meet both course and cumulative G.P.A. standards and course repeat expectations set by the School of Behavioral Health in the general regulations section of this CATALOG.
| Generalist curriculum | ||
| SOWK 510 | Diversity Theory in Practice and Research | 3 |
| SOWK 513 | Human Behavior in a Culturally Diverse Environment | 4 |
| SOWK 514 | Social Welfare History and Policy | 4 |
| SOWK 517 | Practice I: Individuals | 4 |
| SOWK 518 | Practice II: Groups | 3 |
| SOWK 519 | Practice III: Organizations and Communities | 3 |
| SOWK 520 | Practice IV: Families 1 | 3 |
| SOWK 548 | Research Methods | 5 |
| SOWK 574 | Practice V: Administration, Management, and Supervision | 3 |
| SOWK 585 | Legal and Ethical Aspects in Health and Behavioral Health Services | 3 |
| SOWK 578 | Field Orientation 1 | 0 |
| Required cognates | ||
| RELR 540 | Wholeness and Health | 3 |
| Gerontology core courses | ||
| GERO 515 | Diversity and Aging | 3 |
| GERO 615 | Economics and Management Issues of Older Adult Services | 4 |
| GERO 617 | Bio-psycho-social-spiritual Theories of Aging | 4 |
| Clinical specialization and geriatric practice | ||
| GERO 654 | Therapeutic Interventions with Older Adults | 3 |
| SOWK 584 | Special Topics in Social Work | 2 |
| SOWK 613 | DSM: Diagnosis, Diversity, and Differences | 4 |
| SOWK 617 | Social Justice and Global Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 620 | Psychopharmacology in Clinical Practice | 2 |
| SOWK 647 | Integrated Behavioral Health Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 648 | Co-occurring Processes and Interventions | 3 |
| SOWK 659 | Recovery in Behavioral Health | 2 |
| SOWK 661 | Psychodynamic Therapies | 4 |
| SOWK 662 | Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies | 4 |
| SOWK 663 | Crisis and Trauma Interventions | 3 |
| SOWK 681 | Behavioral Health Policies and Systems | 2 |
| Degree completion options | 6 | |
| Non-thesis option: 6 | ||
| Advanced Research Methods | ||
| Advanced Research Methods | ||
| Advanced Research Methods | ||
| Thesis option: 2 | ||
| Applied Research | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Total Units | 90 | |
| Professional practica experience 5 | ||
| GERO 787 | Advanced Professional Practicum and Seminar | 4 |
| Generalist practicum and seminar | ||
| SOWK 757A | Generalist Practice Consultation 3,7 | 3 |
| SOWK 757B | Generalist Practice Consultation 3,7 | 3 |
| SOWK 757C | Generalist Practice Consultation 3,7,8 | 3 |
| Clinical practicum and seminar | ||
| SOWK 787A | Clinical Practice Consultation 4 | 4 |
| SOWK 787B | Clinical Practice Consultation 4 | 4 |
| SOWK 787C | Clinical Practice Consultation 4 | 4 |
| Total Units | 25 | |
Not eligible for waiver.
Thesis option is available for students meeting program criteria.
Hours: 160 + 20; Not eligible for waiver
Hours: 200 + 20
700-numbered courses are not calculated into the total didactic units required for the degree.
SOWK 695ABC is equivalent to SOWK 695.
SOWK 678 substitutes 757ABC for Advanced Standing students with approval of the program
Students not passing the Qualifying Review at the completion of SOWK 757C must take SOWK 595.
Seven (7) academic quarters (includes didactic courses and practicums) — based on full-time enrollment; part time permitted
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