Gerontology (PhD) at University of Southern California

Programme overview

The PhD in Gerontology provides research training in the multidisciplinary field of aging, covering physiological, psychological, sociological and policy dimensions of individual and population aging. Students complete 60 units of coursework, a qualifying examination and a dissertation.

Faculty: Leonard Davis School of Gerontology | Duration: Normally four to five years without a prior master's degree; minimum 60 units | Study mode: full-time | Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States

What you will study

Required core courses are The Aging Society, Health and Aging, Psychology of Aging and Politics and Policy Processes in an Aging Society, along with research courses GERO 593 and GERO 640 and an additional statistics course, plus electives forming a concentration (psychology, sociology/demography, policy, etc.). The first two years are coursework, the third year electives and qualifying exams, and the final years the dissertation.

Career pathways

Research and teaching careers in gerontology.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution by the anticipated enrollment date, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in an appropriate undergraduate major. Applicants submit a resume of professional and academic experience, three letters of reference (academic and professional), a statement of objectives and examples of written work. Satisfactory GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores are required (scores no more than five years old); Analytic scores should also be provided.

Duration: Normally four to five years without a prior master's degree; minimum 60 units

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