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The Gerontology PhD program is committed to supporting students both academically and financially and ensuring that graduate students and graduate student workers (GSWs) are recognized and maintained.

The Gerontology PhD program is a rigorous, full-time, 12-month residential program that requires significant time and focus. Students are expected to participate in all aspects of the program during their studies. PhD students funded as Graduate Assistants and PhD fellows should not undertake additional employment or engage in other time-consuming commitments, as these commitments are incompatible with progress toward the degree. The Vice Provost for Academic Programs will review exceptions to this policy through the Graduate School’s Petition system.

Employment Rights and Responsibilities

The policies and practices described below refer to the following areas of student support:

Policies Regarding Graduate Assistants (GA)

Graduate Assistant (GA) is an overarching term used to describe Teaching Assistants (TA), Research Assistants (RA), and Graduate Assistant Lecturers (AL). GA appointments include tuition, fees, and a stipend at or exceeding the university’s minimum rate. A 50% GA appointment is considered “full-time” for a graduate student, as the remaining 50% of their time should be dedicated to coursework or research leading to the degree.

A graduate student’s first responsibility is to their research and studies. For this reason, GAs, appointed as either a Teaching Assistant (TA) or a Research Assistant (RA), are expected to perform the duties assigned for a 50% appointment. This shall average no more than twenty (20) hours per week over the course of a semester.  For RAs, these 20 hours are at the discretion of the mentor and may or may not be limited to the student’s dissertation research. RAs may be tasked with lab-related work (for up to 20 hours per week) that does not directly advance their dissertation research. For TAs, these 20 hours are to assist the instructor with their courses. The University requires TAs and RAs to be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units every semester or in equivalent full-time enrollment (GRSC 800, GRSC 810, Thesis 594, or Dissertation 794). 

Students receiving a 50% GA appointment may not undertake employment or other time-consuming commitments during the academic year from mid-August through mid-May. 

Students receiving a 25% GA appointment during the academic year may be eligible for part-time, off-campus employment. International students with a 25% GA appointment should seek guidance from the Office of International Services if they are interested in opportunities such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT). The Vice Provost for Academic Programs will review exceptions to this policy through the Graduate School’s Petition system.

Graduate Assistant appointments include tuition, a stipend at the university’s minimum rate or higher, health and dental insurance, access to the student health center, the Student Programming Fee, Norman H. Topping Student Aid Fund Fee, and Transportation Fee. 

 

Policies Regarding PhD Fellowships

When not serving as graduate assistants, PhD students may be supported by fellowships. A fellowship includes tuition, a stipend at the university’s minimum rate or higher, health and dental insurance, access to the student health center, the Student Programming Fee, Norman H. Topping Student Aid Fund Fee, and Transportation Fee.

 

PhD students with a fellowship are expected to commit 20 hours per week to their research and studies. PhD students receiving fellowships may not undertake employment or other time-consuming commitments during the academic year from mid-August through mid-May. 

The Vice Provost for Academic Programs will review exceptions to this policy through the Graduate School’s Petition system.

Students on fellowships may not simultaneously receive funding as GAs. 

 

During the Summer Semester (Mid-May through Mid-August)

Students receiving support as Graduate Assistants (RA, TA, and ALs) with a 50% appointment and PhD students with fellowships may work additional hours beyond the 20-hour maximum, up to an average of 40 hours per week in other on-campus or off-campus roles.

Students who have received offers of full-time employment off-campus during the summer semester may not simultaneously hold positions as Graduate Assistants or PhD Fellows.

Students who wish to decline summer support from USC in favor of full-time off-campus employment or internships will be asked to confirm their decision in writing. This information will be archived in the student’s Advise USC file.

International students should consult the Office of International Services website regarding summer employment options.

 

Holidays and Vacations

Under the terms of the Graduate Student Collective Bargaining Association, GAs represented by the union shall observe the academic holiday schedule.  If a GA is not able to observe a holiday due to the obligations of their appointment, the GA will be provided another day off in lieu of the missed holiday during the same semester with the advance agreement of their designated faculty mentor, and, as needed, the Director of Graduate Studies. The holidays identified in the academic calendar and therefore covered by the Holidays article are the following:

  • Labor Day
  • Veteran’s Day
  • Thanksgiving holiday
  • Martin Luther King’s birthday
  • President’s Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth
  • Independence Day

GAs are not eligible for paid vacation/time off. However, as approved by each faculty mentor, a student may request up to 10 working days off. These requests must be made in advance and will only be approved if it does not interfere with the research being conducted. 

Requests for time off outside of the stated policies must receive advanced approval from the student’s designated faculty mentor, and, as needed, the Director of Graduate Studies. Because students are not eligible for paid vacation/time off, any time off beyond 10 working days may result in unpaid time off. 

 

Paid Sick Time

GAs accrue sick time at the rate of .034 hours for every one hour of work to a maximum of 72 hours. All paid sick time off should be requested according to the USC Sick Time Off Policy. 

 

Length of Program/Leave of Absence

It is anticipated that the PhD program will take four to five years for most students to complete. Students who need to take time away from their academics and research work for any reason covered in the graduate handbook may request a leave of absence (LOA). All LOAs must be requested following the proper procedures. Students in need of a LOA should contact their Student Services Advisor immediately. A maximum of four semester-long LOAs are permitted. However, the degree must be completed within a 10-year time frame, starting from the first semester of coursework applied through the semester the dissertation is submitted. Students who take more than two years of leave of absence or whose program lasts longer than 10 years will need to be readmitted to the University and reevaluated for appropriateness to the program. 

 

Financial Aid

The USC Leonard Davis School will attempt to provide a minimum level of financial aid for students without other forms of assistance during their first year in the program. Students are encouraged to seek other forms of financial aid such as research assistantships, traineeships, teaching assistant positions and scholarships. Receipt of such a fellowship provides financial support during your PhD career as well as recognition and distinction that will serve you well during your future career. 

 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is highly regarded and enforced in this program. Academic integrity violations include plagiarism, and turning in papers that were either purchased, written by someone else, or written for another class. Additional information on USC policies on academic integrity is available from several sources, including Scampus and the Office of Student Conduct (for example see Trojan Integrity: A Guide for Avoiding Plagiarism). Violations of academic integrity will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct and will result in serious repercussions, possibly including expulsion from the PhD program.

Plagiarism – presenting someone else’s ideas as your own, either verbatim or recast in your own words – is a serious academic offense with serious consequences. Please familiarize yourself with the discussion of plagiarism in SCampus in Part B, Section 11, “Behavior Violating University Standards” policy.usc.edu/scampus-part-b. Other forms of academic dishonesty are equally unacceptable. See additional information in SCampus and university policies on scientific misconduct, policy. usc.edu/scientific-misconduct. 

Support Systems

General Assistance

Students who have questions about procedures should take them to the Student Services Office. The Student Services Advisor can answer questions about how to register, complete petitions, secure financial aid, work with the Graduate School, find housing, arrange for campus parking, and access counseling and recreational facilities. 

USC Department of Public Safety 

UPC: (213) 740-6000, HSC: (323) 442-120 – 24/7 on call
dps.usc.edu
Non-emergency assistance or information. 

USC Emergency 

UPC: (213) 740-4321, HSC: (323) 442-1000 – 24/7 on call
dps.usc.edu, emergency.usc.edu
Emergency assistance and avenue to report a crime. Lat- est updates regarding safety, including ways in which in- struction will be continued if an officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible. 

Counseling and Mental Health 

(213) 740-9355 – 24/7 on call
studenthealth.usc.edu/counseling
Free and confidential mental health treatment for students, including short-term psychotherapy, group counseling, stress fitness workshops, and crisis intervention. 

USC Campus Support and Intervention 

(213) 821-4710
campussupport.usc.edu
Assists students and families in resolving complex personal, financial, and academic issues adversely affecting their success as a student. 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 

1 (800) 273-8255 – 24/7 on call
suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Services (RSVP)

(213) 740-9355(WELL), press “0” after hours – 24/7 on call
studenthealth.usc.edu/sexual-assault
Free and confidential therapy services, workshops, and training for situations related to gender-based harm. 

Students with Disabilities 

Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with the Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from OSAS. Please be sure the letter is delivered to the Student Services Office  as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in GFS 120 and is open 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Website for OSAS: http://osas.usc.edu and contact information: (213) 740-0776 (Phone), (213) 740-8216 (FAX), osasfrontdesk@usc.edu (Email). 

The Office of Disability Services and Programs 

(213) 740-0776
dsp.usc.edu
Support and accommodations for students with disabilities. Services include assistance in providing readers/notetakers/interpreters, special accommodations for test taking needs, assistance with architectural barriers, assistive technology, and support for individual needs. 

Diversity at USC 

(213) 740-2101
diversity.usc.edu
Information on events, programs and training, the Provost’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, Diversity Liaisons for each academic school, chronology, participation, and various resources for students. 

Office of Equity and Diversity (OED) 

(213) 740-5086 | Title IX – (213) 821-8298
titleix.usc.edu
Information about how to get help or help someone affected by harassment or discrimination, rights of protected classes, reporting options, and additional resourc- es for students, faculty, staff, visitors, and applicants. 

Reporting Incidents of Bias or Harassment 

(213) 740-5086 or (213) 821-8298
usc-advocate.symplicity.com/care_report
Avenue to report incidents of bias, hate crimes, and microaggressions to the Office of Equity and Diversity |Title IX for appropriate investigation, supportive measures, and response.

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