Social Science Track
Designed for students who wish to pursue graduate degrees and/or careers in law, policy, psychology, sociology and health administration, the core curriculum of this track provides a broad view of human development in the behavioral sciences.
Students who pursue this track discover a deeper understanding of how their chosen profession, whatever it may be, intertwines with the human condition across the spectrum of age. Our graduates via this route have gone on to champion the rights, quality of life and dignity of older adults on the local, national and international levels. They have found jobs in a variety of professions, including lawyers, nonprofit workers, executives and psychologists.
During the freshman and sophomore years, students enroll primarily in general education required courses as specified by the university and the Human Development and Aging gateway course (GERO 200).
During their junior and senior years, students enroll in required and elective courses in the School of Gerontology as well as other courses throughout the university. These courses are selected in consultation with an adviser and reflect the personal and professional interests of the students.
The honors program is available to juniors who maintain a GPA of 3.5 in gerontology and a GPA of 3.3 in other USC course work. The honors program includes mentored training in research and course work relevant to research methodology and statistics.
A grade point average of at least C (2.0) on all units attempted at USC is required for undergraduate degrees. The School of Gerontology requires a minimum 2.0 grade point average in upper division courses applied toward the major.
General Education Requirements
The university’s general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to be considered a generally well-educated person. This program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing and diversity requirements, which together comprise the USC Core. See here and here for more information.
Foreign Language or Programming Skills (12 Units)
Students must satisfy the skill level requirement in one language or complete ITP 101x and additional ITP 100-level programming courses to total 12 units. Students in the health science track are required to complete only ITP 101x.
Degree Requirements
| REQUIRED COURSES |
UNITS |
|
| GERO 200 | Gerontology: The Science of Adult Development |
4 |
| GERO 320 | Psychology of Adult Development |
4 |
| GERO 330 | Society and Adult Development |
4 |
| GERO 340 | Policy, Values, and Power in an Aging Society |
4 |
| GERO 350 | Administrative Problems in Aging |
4 |
| GERO 416 | Health Issues in Adulthood |
4 |
| GERO 481 | Case Management for Older Adults |
4 |
| GERO 491 | Practicum |
4 |
| GERO 492 | Senior Seminar |
4 |
| General Education |
24 |
|
| Writing Requirement |
8 |
|
| Foreign Language or Programming |
12 |
|
| Gerontology electives |
12 |
|
| One approved statistics course |
4 |
|
| General electives in gerontology or related disciplines (8 units upper division) |
32 |
|
| Total: |
128 |
|
| RECOMMENDED GENERAL ELECTIVES |
UNITS |
|
| ANTH 305 | Childhood, Birth and Reproduction |
4 |
| HP 402 | Maternal and Child Health |
4 |
| LING 405 | Child Language Acquisition |
4 |
| PSYC 100 | Introduction to Psychology |
4 |
| PSYC 336L* | Developmental Psychology |
4 |
| PSYC 437* | Adolescent Development |
4 |
| SOCI 305 | Sociology of Childhood |
4 |
| SOCI 369 | The Family in a Changing Society |
4 |
| SOCI 385 | Population, Society, and Aging |
4 |
*Prerequisite required.