Program Overview

Program Overview

The Social Work (BA) + Gerontology MA program is a comprehensive course of study that combines the fundamentals of social work with the specialized field of gerontology. This program is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of social welfare, human development, and the social services, as well as the unique challenges and opportunities presented by an aging population.

Program Structure

The program is structured as a five-year course of study, with students completing a combination of general education, major, and master's-level coursework. The program requires a total of 150 units, with students taking a mix of core and elective courses in social work, gerontology, and related fields.

First Year

• Fall Semester:
  • GE Area 1A: English Composition 1 (3 units)
  • GE Area 1: English Communication (3 units)
  • GE Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning (3 units)
  • GE Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences with USH (3 units)
  • Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective (3 units)
• Spring Semester:
  • ECON 102 Introduction to Macroeconomic Analysis (Major Prerequisite, GE 4) (3 units)
  • PSY 200 General Psychology (Major Prerequisite, GE 4) (3 units)
  • GE Area 1: English Communication (3 units)
  • Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Two (3 units)

Second Year

• Fall Semester:
  • BIOL 100 Human Biology (Major Prerequisite, GE 5B) (3 units)
  • SOC 105 Sociological Perspectives (Major Prerequisite, GE 4) (3 units)
  • GE Area 3: Arts and Humanities - Take Two (6 units)
  • Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective (3 units)
• Spring Semester:
  • GE Areas 5A + 5C: Physical Science and Laboratory (4 units)
  • GE Area 6: Ethnic Studies (3 units)
  • U.S. and California Government (3 units)
  • Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Two (3 units)

Third Year

• Fall Semester:
  • S W 300 U.S. Social Welfare: Past, Present, and Future (Major Core) (3 units)
  • S W 302 Introduction to Social Service Organizations (Major Core) (3 units)
  • S W 352 Gender, Sexism, and Social Welfare (Major Core) (3 units)
  • S W 410 Human Development and the Social Services (Major Core) (3 units)
  • GE Area 5UD or 2UD: Upper-Division Sciences or Upper-Division Mathematical Concepts (3 units)
• Spring Semester:
  • S W 301GW U.S. Social Welfare II: Problems, Policies, and Programs - GWAR (Major Core) (3 units)
  • S W 400 Social Work Practice I (Major Core) (3 units)
  • S W 402 Interviewing Skills in Social Work (Major Core) (3 units)
  • S W 470 Social Differences and Social Work Practice (Major Core) (3 units)
  • GE Area 3UD: Upper-Division Arts or Humanities (3 units)

Fourth Year

• Summer Semester:
  • Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Two (3 units)
• Fall Semester:
  • S W 350 Services to Children, Youth, and Their Families (Major Core) (3 units)
  • S W 401 Social Work Practice II (Major Core) (3 units)
  • S W 456 Urban Community Organizing and Citizen Action (Major Core) (3 units)
  • S W 502 Seminar on Internship Experience I (Major Core) (1 unit)
  • S W 503 Internship Experience in the Social Services I (Major Core) (2 units)
  • GRN 710 Aging Processes: Health and Human Services (Master's Core) (3 units)
• Spring Semester:
  • S W 450 Introduction to Research in Social Work (Major Core) (3 units)
  • S W 504 Seminar on Internship Experience II (Major Core) (1 unit)
  • S W 505 Internship Experience in the Social Services II (Major Core) (2 units)
  • GRN 725 Aging and Diversity (Master's Core) (3 units)
  • GRN 735 Ethical and Legal Issues in Aging and Social Services (Master's Core) (3 units)
  • GE Area 4UD: Upper-Division Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 units)

Fifth Year

• Fall Semester:
  • GRN 705 Aging in a Multidimensional Context (Master's Core) (3 units)
  • GRN 715 Age and Social Policy Analysis (Master's Core) (3 units)
  • GRN 760 Research Methods in Gerontology (Master's Core) (3 units)
  • GRN 838 Gerontology Seminar (Master's Core) (3 units)
• Spring Semester:
  • GRN 765 Aging and Continuum of Care (Master's Core) (3 units)
  • GRN 839 Gerontology Internship (Master's Core) (3 units)
  • GRN 890 Integrative Seminar (Master's Core) (3 units)
  • Graduate Elective (6 units)

Program Requirements

The program requires a total of 150 units, with students completing a combination of general education, major, and master's-level coursework. Students must also complete a series of core and elective courses in social work and gerontology, as well as a graduate internship and seminar.