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

Here, the world of gerontology comes to you

We’re a small, intimate school rooted in a world-class research university — all located in one of the most vibrant cities on earth. Our students come from around the country and globe and are united in a desire to make the world better for people of all ages. Whether joining us online or on-campus in Los Angeles, USC Leonard Davis School students bring learning to life. Exciting opportunities abound to publish research, travel abroad, intern with influential organizations and advocate for older adults. Your professors and classmates will challenge, support and inspire you, all at the same time. You’ll meet your future colleagues, creating a network of leaders poised to shape the field for years to come.

Student Activities

Whether joining us online or on campus in Los Angeles, USC Leonard Davis School students bring learning to life. Exciting opportunities abound to publish research, travel abroad, intern with influential organizations and advocate for older adults.

The Student Gerontology Association (SGA)

Undergraduate and graduate students come together to pursue educational, philanthropic and social activities throughout the year. Besides completing service projects, SGA helps students build strong bonds and have fun.

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Student Community Service

Our students share curiosity, enthusiasm and a vision of improving aging across the lifespan. They also share a desire to make an impact through community service and volunteer opportunities.

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Study Abroad

Every summer, students from the USC Leonard Davis School and across the university travel across the world to explore aging. Course topics range from how nutrition and food culture affect longevity to how psychology changes with aging and how death customs and ceremonies vary throughout ancient and modern societies. Want to join students on these exciting and educational adventures? Courses are available to outside individuals (requires enrolling as a limited-status student).

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Internship Opportunities

As a student, you’ll have opportunities to make a mark from day one. We’ll connect you with organizations to fit your skills, interests and professional goals. You’ll have a chance to make a positive difference in the lives of older adults, whether in direct service roles or working behind the scenes. Join our community of leaders shaping the future of aging.

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Health and Wellbeing

We are focused on improving health and wellbeing across the lifespan, and that includes for our students. We practice what we preach and offer stress-busting and health promoting activities throughout the year.

Yoga with the Dean

Join Dean Pinchas Cohen and instructor Wayne Lehrer for an online yoga and mindfulness class on most Wednesdays during the academic year. The class includes 70 minutes of yoga followed by 20 minutes of guided mindfulness meditation.

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Student Health Resources

Successfully balancing work, school and life responsibilities can be overwhelming. Some of the many services offered by USC Engemann Student Health Center include counseling, medical services and health and wellness health promotion resources.

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Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity is an integral component across research, practice, and education within the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. Our community has a particularly strong understanding of just how interconnected we all are to one another. We know how critical it is for conversations and communities to span generations, disciplines, racial and socioeconomic divisions to make meaningful changes in policy, science, and society.

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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.

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