Gerontology Program Review Summary

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Gerontology Program Review Summary

• Submitted by Debra Secord, Ph.D.
• Department Chair Gerontology, Health and
  Physical Education

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The Process

• Prior to this review, Gerontology was reviewed as
  part of the Emeritus Institute 2001-2002.
• Faculty members were sent a memo in Summer 2003,
  outlining the program review process

• Faculty were asked to review their course
  outlines and think in terms of outcomes
• Advisory Board met and discussed their
  suggestions for the program

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Program Review Team

• Ed Decker, Discipline Dean
• Debbie Secord, Department Chair FT Faculty
• Ellis Waller, Adjunct Faculty
• Arlene Mazak, Adjunct Faculty

• Judy Schindelbeck, Adjunct Faculty
• Brenda Ross, Student Representative
• Beth Grane, Classified Representatives
• Holly Piscopo, FT Faculty Outside Dept
• Gerontology Advisory Board

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Program Review Highlights Program Need

• In just 7 years baby boomers will being turning
  65. Over 100,000 boomers will join the ranks of
  older adults each and every day of each and
  every year
• There implications of sheer numbers of older
  individuals that will need knowledge to adapt to
  the challenges of the aging process and there is
  a need to have trained individuals ready to work
  with and on behalf of this population
• Alliance for Aging Research states We cannot
  wait to develop faculty expertise in geriatrics
  and gerontology and provide students- at all
  levels- with the requisite skills, knowledge and
  abilities to serve older adults.

5
Program Review Highlights Student Demographics

• The program provides educational services to
  citizens of a variety of generations and
  ethnicities.
• Although most students are female ages are spread
  in three main areas.
• About 34 are non-white and this group is also
  very diverse.
• Most state English is their first language.

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Program Review Highlights Course Elements

• Online courses have raised the average program
  FTES from 5.24 to over 12 FTES this year.
• Eight week modules have increased FTES and
  retention. Average retention was 83.49 compared
  to 82.9 for the college, online retention for
  fall 2003 has been 92.76
• Certificate was updated moving Gero 124 Policy
  to the electives, adding Law 148 Elder Law to
  electives and making the Gero 271-274 Field
  Practicum courses a single 3 unit course.

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Program Review Highlights Student Elements

• Students were satisfied or very satisfied with
  their experience and the quality of the classroom
  and online courses
• Most were taking their first course in
  gerontology and were taking the course for a
  promotion, degree requirements, or to obtain the
  certificate.
• Almost 20 of those taking the first 8 week
  module, signed up for the second 8 week module.

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Program Review Highlights Community Elements

• 6.45 of our Advisory Board Members had
  experience with our graduates and 100 of those
  who had encountered our graduates rated the
  knowledge and skills of our graduates rated our
  graduates as above average.
• Alumni surveys show that program graduates also
  felt the education they received was applicable
  to their job and helped them receive promotions.
• Over 41 of the community survey respondents had
  suggestions for new members for the Gerontology
  Advisory Board

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Program Review Highlights Qualitative Questions

• Level of Need-Very High
• SLOs- Stage 1
• Student Satisfaction- Very Satisfied
• Satisfaction w/ Program Resources- Faculty-
  Somewhat Satisfied Students- Very Satisfied

• Professional Development- Faculty Very Active
• Partnership Use- High
• Support of culturally diverse and non-traditional
  student- Very Supportive

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Last Reports Recommendations 1

• Develop online credit offerings in the field of
  aging and overlay classes
• RESULTS Gerontology Certificate Program in
  place, including new online courses
• Created course overlays for health, F N, and
  gerontology
• Courses are slowly being introduced in the
  military program

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Last Reports Recommendations 2

• Develop a standardized procedure for registration
  and presentation of classes in the schedule.
• RESULTS Courses were cross-referenced and
  marketing boxes were added

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Last Reports Recommendations 3

• Develop a facilitated transfer program with CSUF
• RESULTS 18 units from the gerontology
  certificate transfer directly as requirements for
  the Gerontology track in the Human Services
  bachelors degree at CSUF

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Last Reports Recommendations 4

• Gain nationwide recognition for the online
  certificate
• RESULTS The Certificate was accepted by the
  Association for Gerontology in Higher Education
  and placed in its national register of
  gerontology programs.

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Recommendations for Program Review 2003-04

• Develop a plan to keep the momentum going.
  Marketing to counselors, community organizations,
  national organizations, etc.
• Apply for National Program of Merit
• Continue to develop cooperative ventures
• Continue to refine the design of the online
  courses. Adding program electives online where
  appropriate
• Track former students and involve them in the
  program, e.g. providing current student
  placements and job referrals
• Select two outcomes for evaluation