Admissions - USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology Admissions Skip to main content

Welcome to the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.

Our students come from around the world and from many walks of life, and they're all here for unique, important reasons. We think you are, too.

Request Information Apply now

You’re driven by purpose and want to impact the world

You’re curious about aging throughout the human lifespan and intrigued by the demographic shifts taking place worldwide. You want a career that’s both meaningful and in high demand among employers. Whether you’re an incoming undergrad or established professional, you want to discover new ways of seeing — and changing — the world.

Learn more

We’re a global pioneer in gerontology education and research

USC Leonard Davis is the first and most comprehensive professional school of gerontology in the United States, with a long history of innovation in the field. Since 1975, students, faculty and colleagues from around the globe have come here to explore and shape the future of aging. Our alumni make scientific breakthroughs, advocate for those who often go unheard, and lead dynamic companies, among other exciting careers.

Learn more

The education of a lifetime

What happens when you gather the world’s foremost gerontology experts within a robust, multidisciplinary school, nestled in a major research university? USC Leonard Davis has the answer: a challenging, supportive environment where you can launch or propel a flourishing career.

Learn more

Our Degree Programs

USC Leonard Davis provides a wide range of degree programs and learning tracks to launch you toward your professional goals. We offer master’s degrees both on-site and in a convenient online format to fit your life. Our programs include:

Undergraduate Programs

Master’s Programs

Specialized Master’s Programs

PhD Programs

Graduate Certificate in Gerontology

Doctorate of Longevity Arts and Sciences

Professional Education

Online Education

Why Choose a Gerontology Degree from USC Leonard Davis?

At the nation’s first and foremost school of gerontology, you have access to unparalleled opportunities to transform the future of aging. Here’s how our gerontology degrees and certificates prepare you for a dynamic, meaningful gerontology career:

Comprehensive coursework

You’ll build a strong foundation in the field with a comprehensive, multidisciplinary curriculum, seeing aging-related issues and challenges through multiple lenses. Our coursework provides you with broad-based expertise and the latest scientific research on aging, putting you at the forefront of this dynamic field. Learn more about the field of gerontology.

Career pathways

Learning starts in our classrooms, but it doesn’t stop there. We provide access to coveted internships and professional connections through our alumni network, which is currently more than 2,000 strong. Gain a head start to launch a meaningful, productive gerontology career in this in-demand field.

Eminent, accessible faculty

USC Leonard Davis is home to many of the world’s leading thinkers and practitioners in gerontology. Our faculty win international recognition in their fields, and they also earn top scores for how they actively engage and motivate students. Your professors provide individualized training and mentorship that prepare you to succeed in leadership roles.

Flexible options

For many high-achieving students balancing careers and families, flexibility is key to successfully integrating their professional and personal lives. With accelerated degree programs and a convenient online education program, you have the option to continue to work and earn your degree from anywhere in the world.

A front-row seat to transformation

USC Leonard Davis is an epicenter of transformation in the field of gerontology. The most important conversations on aging happen here. As a student, you’ll have access to the wide range of national conferences and colloquiums we host each year.

Financial assistance

If you’re passionate about addressing challenges and opportunities around aging in the 21st century, finances shouldn’t hold you back. USC Leonard Davis degree programs are eligible for federal and private student loans. Students should determine their eligibility for federal assistance by filling out at a FAFSA form. USC’s school code is 001328. If you have any questions, please contact USC’s financial aid office at financialaid.usc.edu.

Merit-Based Scholarships

USC Leonard Davis is committed to expanding access for students with high potential in the field of gerontology. Each year, we offer over $500,000 in merit-based scholarship funds to students. Students are encouraged to apply for these funds within their application. If you apply for a scholarship in your application, you will be considered by the scholarship committee upon admission.

Research opportunities

USC Leonard Davis conducts groundbreaking multidisciplinary research in medical and social sciences. We’re home to more than a dozen leading-edge institutes and centers, including the USC Longevity Institute and the Center for Global Aging.

Our school holds numerous federal and private grants, enabling our faculty to offer a range of research assistantships. These opportunities allow you to work shoulder-to-shoulder with experts and play a role in transforming the field.

Stories and Spotlights

Educating generations of leaders in aging

Corrine Jones, MAG ’18

After retiring early from a career with AT&T, Corinne Jones went back to school to earn a bachelor’s degree in political science. She remembers it was a class on elder law where she got her first taste of gerontology.

Sarah Lamontagne, MAASM ’19

Sarah Lamontagne had a busy job at a Rhode Island nonprofit that helps adults age in place, remaining in their homes and communities as they grow older. But that didn’t stop her from pursuing a master’s degree from the USC Leonard Davis School in Gerontology.

Sahar Edalati, MS ’13

Today’s senior living market is marked by two extremes, says Sahar Edalati MS ’13, executive director of Watermark Retirement Communities in Brooklyn Heights, New York.

Ready to join us?

Our community of ambitious students, eminent faculty and renowned alumni is waiting for you to join us. Our advisory team is ready to answer all your questions. Let’s continue the conversation.

Request Information