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Graduate Programs – Admissions
Master of Science in Applied Biostatistics/Epidemiology
The department encourages applicants with undergraduate degrees in allied health, pharmacology, public health, medicine, biological and clinical sciences or other related fields. Undergraduate preparation should have included applied statistics, college algebra, an introductory course in calculus and basic computer programming. Applicants should also meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School. Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is essential. With approval of the Graduate School, applicants not meeting these requirements may be conditionally admitted contingent upon maintaining a GPA of 3.0 for the first 12 units of graduate study.Master of Science in Biostatistics
The department encourages applicants with undergraduate degrees in mathematics, statistics or biostatistics, computer science or other related fields. Undergraduate preparation should have included differential and integral calculus, introduction to mathematical statistics, and basic computer programming. Applicants should also meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School. Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is essential. With approval of the Graduate School, applicants not meeting these requirements may be conditionally admitted contingent upon maintaining a GPA of 3.0 for the first 12 units of graduate study.Master of Science, Molecular Epidemiology
Students with a bachelor's degree in quantitative biological sciences will be eligible for admission. In addition, the B.A. students must have completed at least one year of general biology, one semester of biochemistry and one semester of statistics to be admitted into the Graduate School. Under unusual circumstances, conditional acceptance will be offered to students who do not meet these requirements — allowing them to complete the missing undergraduate courses prior to their full admission into the Graduate School. An introductory biochemistry class is also available in the School of Pharmacy which may satisfy the biochemistry prerequisite. A joint departmental admission committee will review all applicants.Master of Public Health
The M.P.H. program has five tracks: Health Education and Health Promotion, Biostatistics/Epidemiology, Health Communication, Child and Family Health, and Global Health Leadership. The curriculum includes a set of core courses for each track and electives. The program also includes an internship placement that integrates academic and practical experiences and prepares individuals to work in governmental and non-governmental organizations in health-related fields.The department encourages applicants from the USC undergraduate program in health promotion and disease prevention and throughout the campus, as well as health professionals seeking advanced degrees, medical students who are interested in pursuing an M.P.H. along with their medical degree, nurses who desire a more public health focus, pharmacists and dentists. Applicants should meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School. Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is essential. With approval of the Graduate School, applicants not meeting these requirements may be conditionally admitted contingent upon maintaining a grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0) in PM 501, PM 510L and PM 512 (12 units).
Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics
The department encourages applicants with undergraduate degrees in mathematics, statistics or biostatistics, or other related fields. Undergraduate preparation should have included differential and integral calculus, introduction to mathematical statistics and basic computer programming. Applicants should also meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School. Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is essential. With approval of the Graduate School, applicants not meeting these requirements may be conditionally admitted contingent upon maintaining a GPA of 3.5 for the first 12 units of graduate study.Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology
The department encourages applicants who have undergraduate degrees in allied health, public health, biological sciences or other related fields. Applicants not meeting these requirements may, with approval of the Graduate School, be conditionally admitted contingent upon maintaining a GPA of 3.5 in the first 12 units of graduate studies.Applicants should also meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School. An MCAT score of 30 may be substituted for the GRE requirement.
Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Epidemiology
The department encourages applicants who have undergraduate or master's degrees in quantitative biological sciences or other related fields. Undergraduate preparation should include at least one year of general biology, one semester of biochemistry and molecular biology, and one semester of applied statistics. The Ph.D. program is designed to train students for future independent research careers in an academic, government or private sector setting. The objective of the Ph.D. program is to produce a molecular epidemiologist with in‑depth laboratory, statistical and analytic skills in both epidemiology and the molecular biosciences. To meet this objective, the program introduces students to molecular/laboratory science and research early in their training.The program will consider applicants who satisfy all requirements for admission to the Graduate School and demonstrate proficiency in the English language. MCAT scores may be substituted for the GRE. Applicants not meeting Graduate School requirements for regular standing may, with approval of the Graduate School, be conditionally admitted. Regular standing is contingent upon maintaining a GPA of 3.5 in the first 12 units of graduate credit.
A student in one of the division's master's programs in biostatistics, epidemiology or molecular epidemiology may be considered for either the Ph.D. in biostatistics, epidemiology or molecular epidemiology prior to completing the M.S. degree, providing he or she has met the requirements for admission to the Ph.D. program, obtained approval of the department's Admission Committee, demonstrated research and writing ability, and passed the doctoral-level screening examination. For further information contact: Mary Trujillo, Program Coordinator, Keck School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, Division of Biostatistics, Center for Health Professions 222, 1540 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90089‑9010, (323) 442-1810, FAX: (323) 442-2993.
Doctor of Philosophy in Preventive Medicine (Health Behavior Research)
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; students entering with an advanced degree may be eligible to transfer course credit. Applicants should also meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School.Applicants must supply a completed application for graduate studies, including transcripts from all institutions previously attended, a curriculum vitae (if available), a statement of interest, and three letters of recommendation. For further information contact: Director for Graduate Studies, USC Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, 1000 S. Fremont Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91803, (323) 442-2605, (626) 457-4012, FAX: (323) 442-2601.