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

The Doctorate of Longevity Arts and Sciences (DLAS) is a unique program designed for individuals who wish to immerse themselves in the science of the human lifespan in all its dimensions.

Doctorate of Longevity Arts and Sciences (DLAS)

60 Units Total

Required Courses

Students must take the following courses for 48 units.

GERO 500 – Perspectives on a Changing Society: An Introduction to Aging (Units: 4)
GERO 506 – Technological Innovations in Aging (Gerontechnology) (Units: 4)
GERO 510 – Physiology of Development and Aging (Units: 4)
GERO 520 – Life Span Developmental Psychology (Units: 2 or 4 | 4 units required)
GERO 530 – Life Span Developmental Sociology (Units: 4)
GERO 540 – Social Policy and Aging (Units: 4)
GERO 550 – Administration and System Management in Programs for Older Adults (Units: 4)
GERO 551 – Applied Policy Skills in Aging (Units: 4)
GERO 564 – Multiple Chronic Conditions and Older Adults (Units: 4)
GERO 567 – Prevention of Chronic Diseases through Nutrition, Physical Activity and Lifestyle Changes (Units: 4)
GERO 590 – Directed Research (Units: 1-12 | 8 units required)

Suggested Electives

Students must take 12 units of elective courses from the following list of suggested electives or from courses offered anywhere at USC with an advisor’s permission.

GERO 488 – Food, Culture, Disease and Longevity in Italy and in the Mediterranean (Units: 4)
GERO 489 – Finding the Key to a Long, Happy Life in Nicoya, Costa Rica (Units: 4)
GERO 493p – Longevity and Death among Ancient and Modern European Populations (Italy) (Units: 2)
GERO 494 – Emotion-Cognition Interactions and Aging (Units: 4)
GERO 498 – Nutrition, Genes, Longevity and Diseases (Units: 4)
GERO 501 – Applied Legal and Regulatory Issues in Aging (Units: 4)
GERO 505 – Housing and Community Policies and Programs (Units: 4)
GERO 507 – End of Life Care (Units: 4)
GERO 519 – Recent Advances in Neurobiology and Endocrinology of Aging (Units: 2 or 4)
GERO 550 – Administration and System Management in Programs for Older Adults (Units: 4)
GERO 568 – Adaptive Age-Friendly Environments and Injury Prevention (Units: 4)
GERO 585 – The Aging Family (Units: 2 or 4)
GERO 589 – Case Studies in Leadership and Change Management (Units: 4)
GERO 591 – Field Practicum (Units: 1-12)
GERO 592 – Multidisciplinary Research Seminar in Aging (Units: 2)