Health and Humanity

The Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health and Humanity at the University of Southern California is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students for leadership roles in improving health outcomes and addressing complex health challenges within diverse populations. This program integrates a broad spectrum of topics, including epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, social and behavioral sciences, and ethics, providing students with a holistic understanding of public health issues related to human health and well-being. Through rigorous coursework, practical fieldwork, and research opportunities, students gain the skills necessary to develop, implement, and evaluate health programs and policies that promote equity and social justice. The curriculum emphasizes culturally competent care, health disparities, global health, and innovative approaches to solving health problems faced by communities worldwide. Faculty members are distinguished experts in their fields, offering mentorship and guidance tailored to individual career goals. The program encourages collaboration across disciplines and sectors, fostering a dynamic learning environment that prepares graduates for careers in public health practice, research, policy analysis, advocacy, and leadership roles in governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, healthcare organizations, and academia. Students also benefit from USC’s extensive network of industry partners and alumni, providing valuable opportunities for internships, networking, and professional development. The MPH in Health and Humanity at USC is committed to producing well-rounded public health professionals equipped to make meaningful contributions to improving health outcomes and advancing health equity on local, national, and global levels.

Core: 24 units; experiential learning: 1–4 units; major electives: one thematic module 16–20 units, other electives 16–20 units; total requirements: 61–64 units including at least 36 upper-division units plus prerequisites for certain electives.

Core (16 Lower-Division, 8 Upper-Division)

• BISC 120Lg General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution Units: 4 or
• BISC 121Lg Advanced General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution Units: 4
• BISC 220Lg General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology Units: 4 or
• BISC 221Lg Advanced General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology Units: 4
• BISC 320L Molecular Biology Units: 4
• CHEM 105aLg General Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 105bL General Chemistry Units: 4 or
• CHEM 115aLg Advanced General Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 115bL Advanced General Chemistry Units: 4
• HBIO 300 Evolution, Ecology, and Culture Units: 4

Experiential Learning (1–4 Units)

Choose one course. A health-related internship is required:

• AMST 365 Leadership in the Community — Internship Units: 4
• GERO 495 Practicum in Geriatric Care Units: 4
• MDA 250 Internship for Liberal Arts: Work and Career — Theory and Practice Units: 1, 2 , max 4
• POSC 395 Directed Governmental and Political Leadership Internship Units: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (4 Units Required)
• SWMS 311 Gender Studies and the Community: Internship Units: 4

Major Electives

Choose one complete thematic module from the list below (16–20 units). Then choose additional electives from the list of modules to equal nine courses (36 units) in all. No more than two courses may be lower-division (100- or 200-level). At least two courses must come from Group A and two courses from Group B.

Group A

Bioethics Module (16 units)

• ANTH 305 Childhood, Birth and Reproduction Units: 4 or
• POSC 333 Stigma and Society: Physical Disability in America Units: 4 or
• SOCI 475 Medical Sociology Units: 4 or
• GERO 475 Ethical Issues in Geriatric Health Care Units: 4 or
• OT 375 The Narrative Structure of Social Action: Narrative, Healing and Occupation Units: 4
• REL 319 Religious and Ethical Issues in Death and Dying Units: 4 or
• REL 341 Technology, Culture, and Ethics Units: 4 or
• REL 360 Ethical Issues in the New Medical Revolution Units: 4
• REL 460 Senior Seminar: Medical Ethics Units: 4

Health, Gender and Ethnicity Module (16 units)

• ANTH 125g Social Issues in Human Sexuality and Reproduction Units: 4 or
• SWMS 225 Gender, Sex, and Science: A Gender Studies Approach Units: 4
• ANTH 305 Childhood, Birth and Reproduction Units: 4 or
• HBIO 405 Evolutionary Medicine Units: 4
• PSYC 462m Culture and Mental Health Units: 4
• SWMS 336 Health, Gender and Ethnicity Units: 4 or
• SWMS 420 Woman, Nature, Culture: The Behavioral Ecology of Women Units: 4

Health and Aging Module (16 units)

• GERO 320g Psychology of Adult Development Units: 4 (Recommended preparation: PSYC 100), or
• GERO 330 Society and Adult Development Units: 4
• GERO 340 Policy, Values, and Power in an Aging Society Units: 4 or
• GERO 437 Social and Psychological Aspects of Death and Dying Units: 2 or 4
• GERO 380m Diversity in Aging Units: 4 or
• GERO 435m Women and Aging: Psychological, Social and Political Implications Units: 4
• GERO 416 Health Issues in Adulthood Units: 4

Health and the Mind Module (20 units)

• PSYC 100Lg Introduction to Psychology Units: 4
• PSYC 320 Principles of Psychobiology Units: 4 or
• PSYC 326 Behavioral Neuroscience Units: 4
• PSYC 336L Developmental Psychology Units: 4
• PSYC 360 Abnormal Psychology Units: 4 or
• PSYC 404L Psychophysiology of Emotion Units: 4
• PSYC 361 Introduction to Clinical Psychology Units: 4 or
• PSYC 462m Culture and Mental Health Units: 4

Global Health Module (20 Units)

• ANTH 101g Illness and Healing: The Cross-Cultural Perspective Units: 4 or
• ANTH 105g Culture, Medicine and Politics Units: 4
• ANTH 305 Childhood, Birth and Reproduction Units: 4 or
• HBIO 405 Evolutionary Medicine Units: 4
• IR 305w Managing New Global Problems Units: 4 or
• IR 382w Order and Disorder in Global Affairs Units: 4
• IR 306 International Organizations Units: 4 or
• IR 371 Global Civil Society: Non-State Actors in World Politics Units: 4
• IR 344 Developing Countries in World Politics Units: 4

Group B

Biological Sciences Module (20 units)

• BISC 290 Introduction to Biological Research Units: 2 or 4 (4 Units Required) (lab assignment required) or
• BISC 490x Directed Research Units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (4 Units Required) (lab assignment required)
• BISC 325 Genetics Units: 4 or
• BISC 330L Biochemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 322aL Organic Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 322bL Organic Chemistry Units: 4 or
• CHEM 325aL Organic Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 325bL Organic Chemistry Units: 4
• MATH 208x Elementary Probability and Statistics Units: 4

Biochemistry Module (20 units)

• BISC 330L Biochemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 300L Analytical Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 322aL Organic Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 322bL Organic Chemistry Units: 4 or
• CHEM 325aL Organic Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 325bL Organic Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 432 Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences Units: 4 or
• BISC 403 Advanced Molecular Biology Units: 4 or
• BISC 435 Advanced Biochemistry Units: 4

Biotechnology Module (20 units)

• BISC 325 Genetics Units: 4
• BISC 330L Biochemistry Units: 4
• BISC 406L Biotechnology Units: 4
• CHEM 322aL Organic Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 322bL Organic Chemistry Units: 4 or
• CHEM 325aL Organic Chemistry Units: 4
• CHEM 325bL Organic Chemistry Units: 4

• Common App Writing Supplement: Essay and Short Answer questions
• Transcripts: First-year applicants should submit official transcripts of all high school and college coursework completed.
• Official Test Scores: Arrange for the testing agency to send your SAT or ACT scores directly to USC.
• School Report: All first-year applicants are required to submit the Common Application School Report by providing the name and e-mail address of a recommender.
• Letter of Recommendation from a Teacher or a Counselor
• Portfolio, resumé and/or additional writing samples: if required by major. Performance majors may also require auditions. 
• Submit your fall grades (when available): Use the Mid-Year Report Form included in the Common Application or visit www.usc.edu/midyeargrades to submit your fall grades.
• Financial Statement of Personal or Family Support
• TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores, if the student’s native language is not English.

Scholarships

• Mork Family Scholarship
• Stamps Leadership Scholarships
• Trustee 
• International Freshman Academic
• USC Associates
• Deans
• Leadership

The University of Southern California offers a diverse range of programs within the field of Health and Humanity, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to health sciences, public health, social sciences, and related fields. These programmes aim to prepare students for careers that improve health outcomes, promote social well-being, and address contemporary health challenges at local, national, and global levels. The curriculum typically combines rigorous academic coursework with practical experiences such as internships, community engagement, and research projects, equipping students with both theoretical knowledge and applied skills. Students may have opportunities to specialize in areas such as public health, global health, health policy, behavioral sciences, or social work, depending on their interests and career goals. The faculty often comprises leading experts in health policy, epidemiology, social epidemiology, behavioral science, biostatistics, and healthcare management, offering mentorship and guidance throughout the educational process. The program emphasizes critical thinking, cultural competence, ethical considerations, and innovative problem-solving to prepare graduates for diverse roles in healthcare organizations, governmental agencies, non-profits, research institutions, and policy-making bodies. Additionally, students benefit from access to USC’s extensive resources, including state-of-the-art research facilities, dedicated clinics, and partnerships with health organizations. Throughout their studies, students are encouraged to participate in community service initiatives and policy advocacy efforts to foster a deeper understanding of the social determinants of health and disparities in health access. Graduates of these programs often pursue advanced studies, including master’s and doctoral degrees, or enter the workforce directly, contributing to healthcare improvement, public health policies, community programs, and global health initiatives. The university’s commitment to innovation, diversity, and community engagement ensures that students are well-prepared to make impactful contributions in the dynamic health and social sectors. By fostering an inclusive environment and emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, USC’s Health and Humanity programs strive to cultivate leaders who are dedicated to advancing health equity and human well-being across diverse populations and settings over the course of their professional careers.