PCC’s Human Services Technology – Gerontology program prepares students to specialize in direct service delivery work to older adults and their families. The curriculum provides both theoretical and applied models for understanding issues of aging.

Course work includes:

  • Physical, psychological, and social aspects of the aging process
  • Health
  • Wellness
  • Nutrition
  • Diet
  • Exercise
  • Well-being

Fieldwork experiences provide opportunities to work in a variety of public and private agencies.

Students can apply to take the Human Services Board Certified Practitioner Exam upon graduation with an Associate’s Degree in Human Services Technology, which will allow them to become certified as Human Services Board Practitioners (HS-BCP).

Courses

Required Courses for Program AAS CERT
ACA 111 College Student Success OR ✔
ACA 122 College Transfer Success ✔
BIO 111 General Biology I ✔
CIS 110 Intro to Computers ✔
COM 231 Public Speaking ✔
ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry ✔
ENG 112 Writing/Research in the Disc ✔
GRO 120 Gerontology ✔ ✔
GRO 220 Psychosocial Aspects of Aging ✔ ✔
GRO 230 Health, Wellness and Nutrition ✔ ✔
GRO 240 Gerontology Care Management ✔ ✔
HSE 110 Introduction to Human Services ✔
HSE 112 Group Process I ✔
HSE 123 Interviewing Techniques ✔
HSE 125 Counseling ✔
HSE 145 Child Abuse & Neglect ✔
HSE 210 Human Services Issues ✔
HSE 225 Crisis Intervention ✔
HUM Humanities ✔
PSY 150 General Psychology ✔ ✔
PSY 241 Developmental Psych ✔
SAB 110 Substance Abuse Overview ✔
SOC 210 Introduction to Sociology ✔
SOC 220 Social Problems ✔
SWK 110 Introduction to Social Work ✔
SWK 113 Working with Diversity ✔
WBL 111 Work-Based Learning I ✔
WBL 115 Work-Based Learning Seminar I ✔
Semester Hours Required for Degree 69 16

AAS = Associate in Applied Science
CERT= Certificate (Gerontology-Aging)
✔ Denotes required for degree completion

Outlook for Employment

Graduates should qualify for employment in nursing and rest homes, specialized adult care services, respite services, and other programs servicing older adults and their families. Graduates choosing to continue their education may select a variety of programs at senior institutions.

Process for Admissions

  • Submit a complete Application for Admission to the Office of Admissions.
  • Submit official transcript(s) of high school education and all post-high school course work to the Office of Admissions if requested. Office GED scores or transcript of courses for the Adult High School Diploma may be submitted in lieu of the high school transcript.
  • Complete the Admission Placement Test.
  • Diploma and certificate admission requirements may vary. Contact the Admissions Office for details.

Suggested Course Sequence - Full Time Student

Course# Course Name CL. LB. CLIN. CR.
FALL SEMESTER
ACA 122 College Transfer Success 0 2 0 1
BIO 111 General Biology I 3 3 0 4
ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry 3 0 0 3
GRO 120 Gerontology 3 0 0 3
HSE 110 Introduction to Human Services 2 2 0 3
HSE 112 Group Process I 1 2 0 2
PSY 150 General Psychology 3 0 0 3
15 9 0 19
SPRING SEMESTER
ENG 112 Writing/Research in the Disc 3 0 0 3
HSE 210 Human Services Issues 2 0 0 2
HSE 225 Crisis Intervention 3 0 0 3
HUM XXX Humanities 3 0 0 3
SOC 210 Introduction to Sociology 3 0 0 3
SWK 110 Introduction to Social Work 3 0 0 3
17 0 0 17
FALL SEMESTER
CIS 110 Introduction to Computers 2 2 0 3
GRO 230 Health, Wellness and Nutrition 3 2 0 4
HSE 123 Interviewing Techniques 2 2 0 3
PSY 241 Developmental Psych 3 0 0 3
SAB 110 Substance Abuse Overview 3 0 0 3
SOC 220 Social Problems 3 0 0 3
16 6 0 19
SPRING SEMESTER
COM 231 Public Speaking 3 0 0 3
GRO 220 Psychosocial Aspects of Aging 3 0 0 3
GRO 240 Gerontology Care Managmenet 3 0 0 3
HSE 125 Counseling 2 2 0 3
HSE 145 Child Abuse & Neglect 3 0 0 3
SWK 113 Working with Diversity 3 0 0 3
WBL 111 Work-Based Learning I 0 0 10 1
WBL 115 Work-Based Learning Seminar I 1 0 0 1
18 2 10 20
66 17 10 75

TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS
REQUIRED FOR ASSOCIATE DEGREE: 67