SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco State University's graduate program of gerontology, the oldest of its kind in California's public university system, may close.

University President Robert Corrigan already proposed eliminating the school of engineering earlier this month.

Now Corrigan is suggesting that gerontology, the study of aging, could be next. He has also assigned the deans of each of the university's eight colleges to propose ways to eliminate a $10 million budget shortfall in academic programs.

Although the possible elimination of engineering and gerontology has gotten the most attention, the list of programs that could be cut is "quite comprehensive," university spokeswoman Christina Holmes said.

The 90 students studying gerontology would be able to complete their degrees, and three full-time gerontology professors would be reassigned.

Each day, 6,000 Americans turn 65, program director Brian de Vries said.