Gerontology Undergraduate

Overview – Gerontology Practicum Course(s)

Field Education is an integral part of the curriculum and a core requirement for the SDSU Gerontology Undergraduate Program. The undergraduate practicum learning experiences consist of two courses, three units each (Gero 400A and Gero 400B), scheduled over two semesters. The practicum placements are in different agencies with different field instructors, each of which must be eligible and meet the School approved gerontology criteria, curriculum, and standards. During both courses, gerontology students conduct their internships under the professional supervision of qualified agency Field Instructors.

Planning One Semester Ahead for Gero 400 A or B

Planning for the Gero 400 A or Gero B practicum course requires finding and confirming a placement one semester before you register for the course.

Students must reach out to schedule a meeting with the Director of Field Education at least one semester before they intend to register for the course. Students will be oriented to planning for their practicum experience during this meeting with the Director of Field Education. Following the meeting, the student will receive a list of authorized gerontology practicum agencies from the Director of Field Education

Deadlines for Gero 400 A or B

• • Students who plan to register for Gero 400 A or Gero 400 B in the Spring semester, must confirm their placement by the last day of classes in the Fall semester of the previous year. For example, if a student plans to register for Gero 400 A or Gero 400 B in Spring 2024, the placement must be confirmed by the last day of classes in the Fall 2023 semester.
  • Students who plan to register for Gero 400 A or Gero 400 B in the Fall semester, must confirm their placement by the last day of classes in the Spring semester of the same calendar year. For example, if a student plans to register for Gero 400 A or Gero 400 B in Fall 2024, the placement must be confirmed by the last day of classes in Spring 2024.
  • Summer semester internships are not available.

Once a student confirms their placement, they will need to notify the Director of Field Education by email and complete the Gero 400 A or B Practicum Confirmation Form by the deadlines listed above.

Questions:  Please contact Amanda Lee, Director of Field Education, by email: [email protected] or [email protected].  

Objectives and Competencies for Practicum Course(s)

1. Describe the processes of physical (biological), psychological, and social aging and related theories of aging.
2. Know about the diverse needs of the older adult population in terms of age, gender, race, and ethnicity, and/or diverse abilities.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the aging network consisting of programs and policies for the older adult population.
4. Describe and understand own attitudes toward and beliefs about old age and older adults and reflect and analyze stereotypes or attitudes towards older adults in the portrayal of aging by society.
5. Understand basic concepts of research methods necessary to describe and discuss efficacy and effectiveness of the services and programs for older adults as guided and informed by empirical evidence.
6. Develop effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills with individuals, caregivers, families, and community through professional practicum experiences.
7. Demonstrate case management skills such as interviewing, assessment, and report writing.
8. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding necessary to describe, assess, and critique various programs, interventions, and services to meet the needs of the growing older adult population.
9. Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to advocate for the needs of older adults and their families by engaging in policy formation, implementation, and analysis.
10. Understand the ethical complexities which surround issues with respect to aging.

By the end of the field practicum courses, students will be able to:

1. Describe practicum agency’s goals, philosophy, values, ethical codes, functions, roles, clientele, and services offered and how the agency addresses the needs of elders in that community.
2. Demonstrate case management skills such as interviewing, assessment, and reporting writing.    Also will be able to co-facilitate various groups with an elderly population.
3. Identify client and family’s needs; formulate a basic treatment plan and identify interventions that could be provided by case management and referrals, e.g., identifies need for a higher level of care; respite care for care-giver, increased recreational or socialization opportunities for older adult clients.
4. Awareness and recognition of the diverse needs of the older population in terms of age, gender, race and ethnicity, and/or diverse abilities. Be able to identify and combat negative stereo-types through providing accurate information and education.
5. Identify age related changes in the body and mental functioning typical of the elderly as observed when working with clients in the agency.
6. Describe the connection and relationship between research and practice and be able to describe, assess and critique various programs, intervention and services designed for older adults.

Student Eligibility for the Gerontology Practicum Course(s)

To qualify for the Gerontology Undergraduate Practicum Courses, students shall meet the follow criteria prior to enrolling in Gero 400A or Gero 400B:

1. Must have Major Status (all pre-major courses have been completed before declaring Gerontology Major).
2. Completed and passed the Gerontology 300 level courses.
3. Must have Senior Status, class level 4 (at least 90 earned units).
4. Must have a Major GPA of 2.0 or higher.
5. Must have a minimum SDSU campus overall of 2.0 GPA and be in good academic standing.
6. Must pass Agency Interview and receive Agency Confirmation (including passing additional agency screening and clearances processes).

Course Requirements for Gero 400 A or B

The following is a brief overview of course requirements.  Please refer to the current course syllabus for further detailed information.

Assignments

Please refer to current course syllabus for grading policies and additional course requirements.

Steps to: Select, Identify, Interview, and Confirm Your Field Practicum Experience

Step 1: Review Gero 400 A or B documents listed on the Field Education website.

Step 2: Make an appointment with the Undergraduate Academic Advisor once you have completed at least two out of the three required prerequisite courses (Gero 310/350, Gero 360 and Gero 370).

Step 3: Once the Undergraduate Academic Advisor has verified your eligibility to take Gero 400 A or Gero 400 B, reach out to the Director of Field Education to schedule an informational meeting on preparing for your practicum experience. Following the meeting, you will receive a School-approved Gerontology Agency List from the Director of Field Education.

Step 4: Begin your selection process by consulting with fellow peers regarding their practicum experiences; speak with gerontology faculty; review agency websites, etc. Consider attending the Annual Agency Fair, typically held at the end of January or early February.

Step 5: After selecting practicum agencies from the list, reach out to these agencies as soon as possible by phone or email. Identify yourself as a “gerontology undergraduate student from San Diego State University” and explain that you are requesting an interview for your professional practicum experience. Tell the agency contact which semester you plan to complete the practicum experience. Ask if they have internship slots available for you and if you would be able to schedule an interview. It helps if you are flexible in scheduling the date and time of your interview. Ask if there are documents that the agency requires and remember to bring these along for your interview. Begin preparing a professional resume and inform your references of your upcoming interview. Utilize SDSU Career Services to assist with interviewing skills and resume writing. Write down questions that you may have for the agency during the interview. For example, does the agency require screenings (drug test, background check, etc.) as part of their onboarding process?

Step 6: If you have been approved and accepted by the agency for your practicum experience, complete all agency requirements on time for final confirmation. Review your class schedule with your prospective Field Instructor for the upcoming semester to arrange and finalize your practicum schedule (days, hours, supervision time, etc.).

Step 7: Complete the Gero 400 A or B Practicum Confirmation Form when your agency is confirmed and prior to the deadline stated above.

Step 8: Enroll in Gero 400 A or Gero B (whichever is applicable) and attend seminar as scheduled. Note: This is a mandatory class meeting.

See also…

• Presentation: Planning and Orientation for Practicum in Gerontology (Gero 400 A or B) Courses (pdf)
• Gero 400 A or B Overview and Curriculum Course Requirements (pdf)
• Gero 400 A or B Practicum Confirmation Form (Google Form)
• Gerontology Undergraduate Field FAQ (doc)

Contact Information

• Gero 400 A or Gero 400 B Practicum Course Questions: Amanda Lee, LCSW, Director of Field Education, HH-117, [email protected]
• Gerontology Curriculum Chair:  Dr. J. Min, HH 119B, [email protected]