Gerontology Program Development in the Nation's Largest Public Higher Education System: California, 1988-1997.

Gerontology, geriatrics, and aging studies academic programs (GGA) in the California State University (CSU) were surveyed to assess CSU adequacy to meet the knowledge needs of the state with the largest present and projected older population. GGA increased by 16 percent from 1988-1997, but the distribution of offering campuses narrowed from 100 percent to 78 percent. Growth was greater in degree and graduate programs, although non-degree and undergraduate programs predominated. The CSU trend parallels national patterns at a lower magnitude despite higher state than national aging population projections. Environmental and organizational predictors of GGA growth were examined in an innovation diffusion model utilizing multiple regressions and bivariate correlations. County financial and aged demographic variableswere strong predictors of campus size and presence of a Gerontology Center, but onlymoderately correlated with GGA. Aged demography was not related consistently to GGA in the present population or in national samples, calling for further analysis of higher education institutions and the political economy within which the demographic imperative may be expressed in GGA program development. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]