Bachelor of Science programs

Bachelor of Science programs

Overview
Curriculum
Research
Minors
Progressive Degrees
Program Director
Outcomes

Overview

The Department offers 2 undergraduate majors: Global Health and Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. 

These are ideal majors for students interested in medicine, public health, pharmacy, dentistry, international relations, epidemiology, health psychology and health behavior research.

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For a complete list of deadlines, visit the Undergraduate Admission website.

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Curriculum

Program at a glance

The Bachelor of Science degree is awarded after students successfully complete 128 units, consisting of 66 units for the major and fulfillment of USC general education requirements including third-semester equivalency in a foreign language.

General Education (32 Units)

The university’s general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. This program is effective for all students entering USC in fall 2015 or later, or transfer students beginning college elsewhere at that time and subsequently transferring to USC. It requires eight courses in six Core Literacies, plus two courses in Global Perspectives (which may double-count with courses in the Core Literacies) and two courses in writing. For more information about USC’s general education requirements, see General Education.

Major Requirements: Core Courses and Electives (66 Units)

Each major requires 66 units of core courses and electives. Visit the course catalogue to see course details:

Bachelor of Science in Global Health

Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Undergraduate Research

Students benefit from USC’s capacity as a premier research institution by collaborating with professors who are preeminent experts in their fields.

Students have presented both collaborative and independent research at USC’s Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, national and international conferences. With the mentorship of faculty, students have also been published in academic journals as authors or co-authors of papers by the time they graduate.

Research areas have included:

  • Cancer prevention and treatment
  • Maternal and child health
  • Nutrition
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Environmental health
  • Global epidemiologic research
  • Health, emotion, and addiction
  • Substance abuse cessation and prevention

Progressive Degrees

USC’s Progressive Degree Program enables superior undergraduates to begin work on a master’s degree while completing requirements for the bachelor’s degree. Applicants to the program must have completed 64 units of course work and must submit their application prior to the completion of 96 units of course work. GRE scores are not required for our programs, however applicants are expected to have a minimum USC GPA of 3.0 at the time of application. The application for admission to a progressive degree program must be accompanied by an approved course plan proposal and two letters of recommendation. The requirements for both the bachelor’s and the master’s degrees must be satisfied, including a minimum of 128 undergraduate units. The Progressive Degree Program is not available to non-USC students.

Through the Keck School of Medicine of USC, Health Promotion and Global Health students can pursue the following graduate degrees:

 

Health Promotion and Global Health students may also be interested in:

Students who wish to pursue a progressive degree should contact their undergraduate major advisor to discuss the application process

Heather Wipfli, PhD

Director of the Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention program

Program Director

Heather Wipfli, PhD

hwipfli@usc.edu
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Outcomes

A mental health superhero takes the White House

Carla Ibarra’s heart still skips a beat when she recalls her trip to Washington D.C. this past May. The MPH candidate visited the White House as part of MTV’s first Mental Health Youth Action Forum. There, she met with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, First Lady Dr. Jill...

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Spotlight on Alumni

Grace Boyd, BS '16, DPT

Physical Therapist

Boyd found herself returning to USC as graduation ceremony speaker in 2022.

“Get involved and find a mentor! There are so many organizations/clubs on campus that connect people with similar interests and that can help connect you with mentors for your desired career path. My mentor from undergrad was the faculty advisor for the pre-physical therapy club I helped start and he is still mentoring me to this day!”

Diana Cholakian Pearre, BS '09, MD

Gynecologic Oncologist

After graduating, Cholakian Pearre went on to medical school and a residency in gynecology and obstetrics. She completed a fellowship in gynecologic oncology in 2021 and is now a gynecologic oncologist at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center.

“Always walk with purpose, like you’re going somewhere, but don’t act like you own the place.”

Heidi Marie Banh, BS '17, MS

Medical Student

With a BS in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and minors in Applied Theatre Arts and Natural Science, Banh went on to graduate from the MS in Global Medicine program at USC and is now a 3rd year medical student.

“Do not undervalue yourself, including your abilities, potential, and worthiness for self-love. Compassion for others begins with compassion for ourselves.”

David Avenetti, BS '06, DDS, MS, MPH

Residency Program Director and Associate Professor (tenure track)

Avenetti went on to earn degrees in dentistry and public health. He now directs the residency program in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the College of Dentistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

“It is good to have a plan, but stay open minded since some of the best opportunities will be ones you never expect. For example, I always assumed that clinical dentistry was the only option, but I am able to apply my public health background through research, teaching, and patient care.”

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Undergraduate programs