We offer two Doctor of Philosophy programs: a PhD in Gerontology and a PhD in Geroscience. Our school created the first gerontology PhD program in the world in 1989 and unveiled the first-ever biology of aging PhD program in 2014. The PhD is our crown jewel, the highest degree you can receive in gerontology anywhere. At the USC Leonard Davis School, we attract top students from around the globe. Balancing rigorous, high-level research training with leadership skills and scientific knowledge, graduates from our PhD programs enter the workforce with superb skills and experience.
Our PhD Programs
As a small school within a large research university, we ensure that our students receive rigorous, highly personalized educational experiences studying with some of the world’s leading experts in fields such as biology, neuroscience, psychology, sociology and public policy.
Students with a PhD or who are already pursuing a PhD are not eligible for the Geroscience or Gerontology PhD degree.
Doctor of Philosophy in Gerontology (PhD)
Students learn about the physiology of human development and aging, examine social policies related to aging and study the neurological, psychological, behavioral, and sociological aspects of lifespan development. In this world-renowned Gerontology program, students work closely with a faculty mentor to discover and shape their own academic specialization. They publish their work in leading journals, participate in colloquia, present at international scientific meetings, acquire teaching experience, and develop a rich academic, personal, and professional network.
Requirements: 60 Units of course work and at least four additional dissertation units.
PhD in Gerontology Placement Information
Academic
Azusa Pacific University
Bethune Cookman University
California State University Los Angeles
California State University Fullerton
Chaffey College
Columbia University
Harvard Medical School
Jeju National University
Jungwon University
Keck School of Medicine, USC
Bethune Cookman University
California State University Los Angeles
California State University Fullerton
Chaffey College
Columbia University
Harvard Medical School
Jeju National University
Jungwon University
Keck School of Medicine, USC
Osaka University
Pennsylvania State University
Robert Morris University
San Diego State University
Syracuse University
University of Central Florida
UCLA
University of Hawaii Manoa
University of Iowa
University of Kansas
University of Maryland
Pennsylvania State University
Robert Morris University
San Diego State University
Syracuse University
University of Central Florida
UCLA
University of Hawaii Manoa
University of Iowa
University of Kansas
University of Maryland
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
University of Nebraska Omaha
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
University of Texas San Antonio
University of Texas Arlington
University of Southern California
University of South Florida
University of Victoria
University of Wyoming
Yale University
University of Nebraska Omaha
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
University of Texas San Antonio
University of Texas Arlington
University of Southern California
University of South Florida
University of Victoria
University of Wyoming
Yale University
Research
Archstone Foundation
Brightseed
HBCS Strategies
HC Healthcare
Health Services Advisory Group
ING-RE
Kaiser Permanente of Southern California
Korean Women’s Development Institute
Brightseed
HBCS Strategies
HC Healthcare
Health Services Advisory Group
ING-RE
Kaiser Permanente of Southern California
Korean Women’s Development Institute
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Mathematica
National Bureau of Economic Research
National Center for Health Statistics
National Institute on Aging
National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
QNA Group
Mathematica
National Bureau of Economic Research
National Center for Health Statistics
National Institute on Aging
National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
QNA Group
Roche
SCAN Foundation
United Healthcare
Veterans Administration Los Angeles
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
World Health Organization
ZS Consulting
SCAN Foundation
United Healthcare
Veterans Administration Los Angeles
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
World Health Organization
ZS Consulting
Doctor of Philosophy in Geroscience (PhD)
The doctoral program in Geroscience is designed for students who want to become leaders in biogerontology. The focus is on molecular, cellular, and regenerative medicine as well as the integrative biology of aging. PhD candidates take core courses on the molecular and cellular biology of aging and age-related diseases, and then select a specialty among neuroscience, molecular, and cellular biology, stem cell and regenerative sciences, and biomedical sciences.
Requirements: 60 units of work, including courses, seminars and research credit. At least 24 of the 60 units must be formal graduate course work (lectures or seminars). Following the completion of core courses, students may choose one of the following four areas in which to focus their elective courses:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular and cellular biology
- Stem cell and regenerative sciences
- Biomedical sciences
Bringing our expertise to life
Our faculty members include both the visionaries who pioneered modern aging study and the up-and-coming investigators who take gerontology research and service in exciting new directions.
Current Students
Learn more about our current students in the PhD in Gerontology and Biology of Aging programs.
Conducting groundbreaking research
We’re driving innovations in genetic research and big data analytics to unlock better treatment and prevention for age-related diseases. Our research and development teams investigate areas such as:
- Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other memory issues
- Bioinformatics, biology, genomics and genetics of aging
- Demography and sociology of aging, social determinants of health, disparities in minority populations
- Drug discovery and development
- Healthy aging, personalized nutrition and nutrigenomics, disease prevention, stress adaptation and resistance
- Longevity and mechanisms in aging
- Neuroscience, cognition and brain aging
Request Information
Note: Students with a PhD or who are already pursuing a PhD are not eligible for a Geroscience or Gerontology PhD degree.
