A group of 261 college juniors, seniors, and graduate students anticipating careers in mental health professions were administered an instrument designed to measure attitudes toward old age (people 65 and older). The instrument consisted of 60 statements regarding old age, and used a six-point Likert-type scale. Items were categorized into 10 subscales with three positively stated items and three negatively stated items. These 10 subscales were hypothesized to reflect traits characteristic of the overall functioning of persons over 65, and to represent areas in which people tend to have strong opinions regarding old age. Completed instruments were then categorized according to the respondents' college major and career goals, and the resulting five data groups, plus the combined group, were analyzed for internal consistency using Cronbach's coefficient alpha. After an initial pilot study of the instrument, based on analysis of five separate data groups and the combined group, there appeared to be a fairly homogeneous measure of attitudes toward old age. However, results showed a significant difference in the responses of persons planning to work with older adults, compared to those with other career goals. (The items are appended.) (Author/KSA)