Graduate & Professional Degrees

A Graduate Certificate in Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety will be granted on the basis of completion of 13 total units of required courses.

A Master of Science in Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety will be granted on the basis of completion of 32 total units: six core courses, 8 units of elective courses and master's thesis. Electives are selected from courses offered within the Alfred Mann School of Pharmacy, Keck School of Medicine and Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Additional electives in related disciplines may be selected if approved by the CXPT Program Director.

The USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (USC Mann) offers a full-time, four-year course of study leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). An undergraduate BA or BS degree is required for admission to the program. An alternate BS to PharmD Pathway is available as an integrative pathway that learners can streamline their undergraduate (UG) education toward the PharmD program to fulfill an advanced placement directly as a second-year student pharmacist while earning their bachelor's degree. A description of the curriculum is listed in the following pages. The degree will be conferred only upon successful completion of all Doctor of Pharmacy degree requirements. The USC Mann Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, which is the sole agency providing accreditation for professional degree programs in pharmacy.

Application Procedure

The USC Mann School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences requires applicants to complete the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) for admission. The PharmCAS application deadline is February. Applications will not be reviewed until they have been verified by PharmCAS.  An interview is required for admission. Only applicants with complete application files are evaluated for an interview and only highly qualified applicants will be granted interviews. Not all applicants will be invited for an interview. Applicants are encouraged to apply well before the February 1 deadline to allow time for file review.

All documents mailed directly to the USC Mann and received from PharmCAS by the Office of Admission become the property of the university and cannot be returned or duplicated for other than USC's purposes.

Admission Guidelines

The Admission Committee considers several factors in making admissions decisions including: previous academic performance; the interview including a writing component; letters of recommendation; and other components of the completed application. The committee also considers a candidate's motivation to pursue pharmacy, interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills, and leadership abilities. While USC Mann gives equal consideration to every qualified applicant, the school cannot accommodate all qualified candidates who apply for admission.

Entrance Requirements

Admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy program requires completion of a baccalaureate degree; completion of the specified prerequisite college courses, with a grade of C or better; and a minimum 3.0 (A = 4.0) grade point average, both in the prerequisite courses and cumulative grade point average.

Pre-pharmacy Requirements*

*Courses for science majors are required to meet the Pre-Pharmacy Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy program, applicants must take required prerequisite college courses, including general biology (one-year course with laboratory, excluding human anatomy and physiology), general chemistry (one-year course with laboratory, including inorganic and qualitative analysis), organic chemistry (one-year course with laboratory), biochemistry (one course upper division), microbiology (one course), calculus (one semester or two quarters), and human physiology (one course for science majors). The science requirements should be completed at an accredited four-year university.

Prerequisite courses are subject to change, and applicants are encouraged to check with the school prior to submitting an application.

Recommended Courses:

Upper-division molecular biology, physics (thermodynamics and electromagnetism), microeconomics, human behavior in either general psychology, introductory sociology, or cultural anthropology

Grades of pass/no pass or credit/no credit will not be accepted (unless a course is only offered on a pass/no pass basis). Online courses are not accepted for science courses with a laboratory requirement.

Mathematics and Sciences

Courses must include calculus, general biology, microbiology, human physiology, general chemistry, biochemistry, and organic chemistry. Only courses for science majors are acceptable. It is highly recommended that math and science courses be completed during the regular academic year and not during a summer term.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Examinations

Applicants may use AP and IB courses to meet certain USC Mann prerequisites with the following provisos. AP results are acceptable only with scores of 3, 4 or 5. Results for IB courses are acceptable with a score of 5 or higher. In addition, the AP or IB courses taken may be applied to a maximum of one semester/one quarter of general chemistry or general biology; they may not be used to satisfy the laboratory requirement. Note: AP/IB courses used to meet prerequisites will be for course credit only (i.e., they will not count toward the GPA). The Admission Committee recommends that applicants enroll in all of the required pre-pharmacy courses.

Bachelor of Science (BS) to PharmD Pathway

In addition to the advanced placement requirements listed in the section above, applicants from the BS to PharmD Pathway are required to meet the 36-unit competency equivalent of the first year Pharm D program to be deemed eligible for advanced placement in the second year of the PharmD program. The candidates will interview for admission to the USC Mann PharmD program in the Spring of their junior bachelor year.

Specifically, the candidates will:

• Take course work that maps to the P1 curriculum content during and in pursuit of their bachelor's degree. The course work will be waived upon entrance into the P2 year of the PharmD program.
• Receive a bachelor's degree before the Bridge Summer that occurs following the completion of the bachelor's degree and before the second year of the Pharm D program at USC Mann
• Enroll at USC Mann and complete 12-unit equivalent pharmacy practice-focused content, including IPPE, during the USC Mann Bridge Summer as a California licensed intern pharmacist.
• Complete the USC Mann P1 cumulative OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) to confirm the readiness of the candidates to enter the P2 class of the PharmD program.

For course details of the P1 curriculum mapping and the Bridge Summer, please refer to the course requirements section, below.

Please contact the USC Mann Office of Admission for specific information.

Entrance Examination

An interview is required for admission.

Special Admission Program for Entering Freshmen

The Trojan Admission Prepharmacy (TAP) program provides priority consideration for admission to the USC Mann's four-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program for USC undergraduates who are accepted to the program. The TAP program is designed to attract highly qualified, mature high school seniors applying to USC. Students accepted into the TAP program apply to the Doctor of Pharmacy program during their final year of undergraduate education. Students must meet all regular admission criteria to the Doctor of Pharmacy program, including a BA/BS degree from USC, specific academic performance standards (GPA) and complete an interview. Students in the TAP program are required to complete all prerequisite courses at USC and meet regularly with a TAP program adviser. A specific listing of USC courses and a recommended program for TAP participants may be obtained from the USC Mann Office of Admission or online at mann.usc.edu/program/trojan-admission-pre-pharmacy-program-tap/admissions/.

PharmD Curriculum Requirements

The completion of the four-year professional curriculum is required for the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. The PharmD curriculum is a "block" program, meaning all students enroll for specified courses each semester and progress as a "class" through the curriculum. Students do not have a choice in the course sequence and must remain full-time students throughout the program. Students have a limited number of elective course choices and a list of electives offered is available to students prior to registration each semester. Student progress is permitted only when the prior semester has been successfully completed. Students should view the curriculum outlined here as advisory only and subject to modification. A minimum of 136 units is required for graduation.

Students enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy program are required to hold an Intern Pharmacist license in good standing (clear of restrictions) issued by the California Board of Pharmacy as an intern pharmacist for the entire length of the program. Licensure is required because completion of the pharmacy program requires placement in health care settings for experiential learning during each academic year. USC Mann has developed technical standards to inform students of the non-academic requirements of the program. Placement in health care settings requires the applicants pass criminal background screening and/or drug screening tests.

The pharmacist of tomorrow will provide preventive and therapeutic pharmaceutical care, provide drugs to patients, communicate in health care matters, meet the ethical and legal requirements of the practice of pharmacy and maintain professional expertise.

The curriculum committee of USC Mann has developed guidelines and patient care competencies consistent with interpretations of this new role. An appropriate and dynamic educational program is needed to develop these competencies. Therefore curriculum changes may be necessary in order to meet scientific advances, population profile changes, increasing health expectations, technological advances, or changes in health services.

A total of 36 units are required for the degree, including at least 24 units in philosophy. Twelve of these must come from completing the specialization and breadth requirements. The former requires students to take a 4unit, 500-level course in philosophy on a topic spanning philosophy and law. The latter requires students to take PHIL 500 or PHIL 503, plus another 4-unit, 500-level course in philosophy on a topic that does not span philosophy and law, including but not limited to topics in metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of language, philosophy of science, ethics, aesthetics and history of philosophy. Students must also demonstrate a basic proficiency in symbolic logic, typically by passing, at a sufficiently high level, one of a specified range of 4-unit courses in logic offered by the School of Philosophy. The law requirement for this degree consists of two courses in the USC Gould School of Law. The first must be either LAW 503 Contracts or LAW 509 Torts I. The second must be either LAW 504 Criminal Law or LAW 508 Constitutional Law. Students who elect to take LAW 504 would normally also take 1 unit of PHIL 590 as an accompaniment. Degree candidates must also write a master's thesis on some subject in legal philosophy. At least one of the thesis advisers must have an appointment in the School of Philosophy.

The department does not accept applicants for a Master of Arts degree in philosophy. The MA degree is intended only as a transitional degree in the process of completing requirements for the PhD in philosophy.

A student may obtain an MA in philosophy by fulfilling the following requirements: a minimum of 36 units in the USC philosophy school, at least 24 of which must be at the 500 level. Requirements include: PHIL 500, PHIL 503 and a 500-level course in each of the following three areas: metaphysics and epistemology, ethics and other value theory, and history of philosophy. Of the remaining four required (4-unit) courses, only four units of PHIL 590 are applicable to the degree. A publishable research paper is also required.

Application deadline: January 1

Course Requirements

The minimum number of course credits required for the PhD is 60 units. No more than 8 of these units may be from 590 courses and no more than 8 of these units may be from 400-level courses in the School of Philosophy. PHIL 450 or PHIL 452 do not count toward this maximum of 8 units of 400-level courses in the School of Philosophy. No more than 8 of these units may be earned in 794 Doctoral Dissertation. Each student must pass PHIL 450 or PHIL 452 with a grade of B or better and must pass both PHIL 500 and PHIL 503 with a grade of B+ or better. PHIL 450 or PHIL 452 and both PHIL 500 and PHIL 503 must be satisfactorily completed by the end of the second year.

The student may take up to two courses in a field of study related to philosophy. The PhD dissertation may be written in any area of philosophy for which adequate supervision is available from within the university. PhD students are also required to show evidence of practical or editorial training, or their equivalent.

Foreign Language/Research Tool Requirement

A foreign language examination, specified by the school, in French, German, Latin or classical Greek is required. The faculty may approve a replacement of the language requirement by a research tool requirement, consisting of an approved course or examination in a subject essential to the student's research program. The course or examination must be passed before the qualifying examination is attempted.

There are three levels of evaluation in the PhD program prior to the dissertation:

Distribution Requirement

There is a distribution requirement of six courses at the 500 level in the School of Philosophy, two each representing breadth within each of the following three areas: (1) metaphysics and epistemology (broadly construed, including philosophical logic; philosophy of science; philosophy of math, mind, and language), (2) value theory (broadly construed, including aesthetics, political philosophy, and the philosophy of law), and (3) pre-1879 history of philosophy. PHIL 500, PHIL 503 and PHIL 590 courses cannot count toward this requirement. Up to two 400-level courses may count by petition toward this requirement, provided that the departmental standards for graduate-level course work are met. For courses straddling two areas (for example, history of ancient philosophy and metaphysics; history of modern philosophy and ethics), instructors will indicate on the syllabus which requirement the course will satisfy. Courses dealing with subject matter within more than one of the areas listed may be used to satisfy any of the areas encompassed by the course although no single course may be used to satisfy two requirements at once. The two courses within each distribution area must represent breadth, as determined in advance by the graduate adviser and in accordance with departmental guidelines. All distribution requirements must be completed by the end of the fifth semester.

Screening Procedure

Students in the PhD program must pass a screening procedure before undertaking their 25th unit (seventh course) of graduate credit. This will be based on a review of the student's work to date, and will take into account not only information acquired but also those intellectual qualities and capacities that are essential for good work in philosophy: the capacity to think and write on philosophical issues with clarity, consistency and thoroughness; the ability to understand in detail what is involved in the meaning and justification of philosophical claims or positions; the ability to recognize and to draw out fine conceptual distinctions and to perceive their logical relationships; and strong intellectual curiosity and independence of thought.

Student Reviews

Graduate student progress is reviewed on a regular basis each term. In addition, apart from the screening procedure, there are more formal reviews conducted at the end of the fourth and sixth semesters of study, as described below.

In the fourth semester of study, normally the spring of the second year, each student shall submit a journal-length paper in philosophy. The choice of papers should be made in consultation with the graduate adviser. The second year evaluation will be made on the basis of faculty review of the submitted paper and consideration of the student's total record.

For the review following the sixth semester of study, students are to select one from a list of pre-designated areas in philosophy and master the material on a pre-assigned reading list of important works in that area. At the beginning of the sixth semester, each student will take a written examination, designed by the faculty of the School of Philosophy, on the materials covered in the relevant reading list followed by an oral examination exploring their knowledge of the field. This examination must be passed by the end of the sixth semester. The examining committee for each student will consist of faculty conversant with the field and appointed by the school.

Qualifying Examination

This examination consists of a written prospectus of the proposed dissertation and an in-depth oral examination on the form and subject matter of the proposed dissertation. All faculty members may inspect the prospectus and be present at the oral, but evaluation of the qualifying examination is the responsibility of the student's qualifying exam committee. The examination is not passed if two or more members of the qualifying exam committee find it unsatisfactory.

The qualifying examination is not offered in the summer. Those who intend to take this examination must meet all the conditions specified in the section on general requirements for the PhD Students are expected to pass the qualifying exam by the end of the eighth semester. Students who have not passed the qualifying exam by the end of the eighth semester will be subject to faculty review, and may not be allowed to continue in the program.

Doctoral Dissertation

When the student passes the qualifying examination, a dissertation committee (see Graduate Advisement), replacing the qualifying exam committee, is appointed by the director of the school in consultation with the student and the philosophy faculty. Normally, the qualifying exam committee simply becomes the dissertation committee. This committee and the candidate will then agree upon how the dissertation is to be developed and written. The dissertation must be an original contribution to some well-defined area in philosophy, and must give evidence of the student's ability to do respectable, large-scale research, thinking, and writing in the field. The school requires the defense oral when the research and writing of the dissertation is substantially complete. Attendance at this oral examination is open to all members of the university faculty, but the examination is conducted and evaluated by the candidate's dissertation committee. The faculty normally works with the dissertations only in the fall and spring semesters, and the student should plan accordingly.

The Master's Program in Physical Biology is designed for students who have backgrounds in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and engineering, and who are motivated to pursue training in biophysical research that emphasizes theoretical, computational, and experimental methods. The training faculty in the  program includes faculty members from multiple departments at USC who have research programs in areas including structural biology, neuroscience, membrane biophysics, cellular biophysics and theoretical biophysics. Students are usually admitted to the program on the research-based thesis track; however, in special circumstances applications to the non-thesis track will be considered.

Admission

Applicants to the program will normally have earned a bachelor's degree and completed course work in mathematics (including calculus), physics, chemistry and biology. To be considered, applicants must complete a USC Graduate Admissions application and submit either GRE or MCAT test scores, a brief personal statement explaining the reasons for applying to the program, a brief statement regarding previous laboratory experience, official transcripts from all academic institutions previously attended, and three letters of recommendation. Foreign applicants are required to submit results from a TOEFL or IELTS examination. In the personal statement, applicants must specify whether they are applying to the thesis- or non-thesis track and the reasons for that choice. Normally, admission will be in the thesis track and a recommendation to admit an applicant will require Executive Committee approval of an agreement between an applicant and a faculty member who will serve as mentor of the thesis project. The agreement shall specify the general research area of the thesis. Prior to submission of a formal application, applicants may submit basic documentary information to determine how their credentials compare to expectations for admission.  

The Physical Biology Master's program participates in Progressive Master's Degree Programs and seeks applications from qualified students (undergrad.usc.edu/programs/progressive/).

Continued enrollment

Continued enrollment in the program requires an average GPA of at least 3.0, and a "Pass" or "Credit" in all non-graded courses. At any time, after evaluating a student's progress, the MBPH Executive Committee, at its discretion, may require a student to pass a screening examination to be eligible to progress to the third or later semester of graduate study. If a student fails to achieve these metrics or pass a screening examination, the Executive Committee will make a recommendation as to whether or not to place the student on probationary enrollment with a defined remediation sufficient to remedy the deficiency or to recommend the student withdraw or be dismissed from the program.

Thesis track:

A three-member Guidance Committee will advise each student and monitor the progress of thesis work of each student in the thesis track. The Guidance Committee shall consist of at least:

1. the student's adviser who shall chair the committee and be a tenure-track member of the Graduate Committee;
2. the student's thesis mentor, if not the same faculty member as the adviser;
3. one (or two) additional members of the Graduate Committee.

Final examination

Passing the final examination requires: 1) submission of an acceptable thesis document describing the work of the thesis, and 2) an oral defense of the thesis. The Thesis Committee will administer the final examination. The composition of the Thesis Committee and the Guidance Committee may be the same. The thesis document shall be distributed to the student's Master's Thesis Committee and a copy provided to the Graduate Program Office at least two weeks prior to the oral examination. If the document is not provided by that date, then the oral examination shall be rescheduled to accommodate this requirement. Final acceptance of the document and passage of the oral examination requires the unanimous recommendation of all members of the Thesis Committee. If the student does not pass the examination on the first attempt, at its discretion the Executive Committee may grant a second opportunity to pass the examination according to policies in the USC Catalogue.

Non-thesis track:

Final Examination. A comprehensive examination replaces the thesis defense. The Executive Committee shall appoint a member of the Graduate Committee to supervise the final examination process (the "Examination Supervisor"). The examination shall be on a topic approved by the Examination Supervisor and shall consist of: 1) a document discussing the topic in sufficient detail, and 2) passing an oral examination on the substance of the topic. The document shall be submitted to the Examination Supervisor at least two weeks prior to the oral examination. If the document is not provided by that date, then the oral examination shall be rescheduled to accommodate this requirement. To qualify as the final examination, all the faculty of the Graduate Committee shall be invited to attend the presentation with notice given at least two weeks in advance and at least three members of the Graduate Committee or alternates selected by the program director shall attend.

During and following the presentation, faculty members may pose questions relevant to the presentation to determine if the student has mastered an appropriate breadth and depth of knowledge of biophysics. The Examination Supervisor shall then receive reports from faculty attending the presentation, usually within a week, and make a recommendation to the Graduate Committee as to whether or not the student passed the examination. Unless a member of the Graduate Committee objects, the recommendation shall be considered accepted. If an objection is received a decision shall be made by a secret ballot vote with two thirds of those voting in favor of passage required for passage of the examination. If the student does not pass the examination on the first attempt, at its discretion the Graduate Committee may grant a second opportunity to pass the examination according to policies in the USC Catalogue.

The interface between physics and biology is experiencing a revolution much like the one experienced by 17th century astronomers. Then, like now, new quantitative techniques allowed unprecedented observations, which in turn demanded quantitative reasoning. Galileo's approach subjected the laws of motion to a unique blend of experiment and theory, before finally being placed in a predictive mathematical context. This style of inquiry, long favored by physicists, is now being applied to the biological sciences with increasing frequency. New experimental tools are elucidating phenomena ranging from the forces experienced by single biomolecules to the complex regulatory networks of gene expression, and the target biophysical problems range from the metabolism of individual cells to the dynamics of entire populations. The power of this physics-based approach is now widely recognized as essential for approaching all grand challenges in the biological sciences, from combating cancer to unraveling the mysteries of the brain.

Motivated by the promise of this approach at the physics/biology interface, the PhD program in Physical Biology integrates biophysical research experience leading to a dissertation with state-of-the art curriculum that (i) introduces molecular and cell biology to quantitatively minded students; (ii) presents a rigorous treatment of the physical principles underlying biological phenomena; and (iii) emphasizes the emerging physical methods that has transformed the biological sciences into a quantitative discipline. While distinct in its intellectual focus from existing graduate programs at USC, this program harnesses the critical mass of research-active biophysicists in multiple departments (physics, biological sciences, chemistry, multiple engineering departments, and the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

The Physical Biology (PBIO) PhD program is designed for graduate students who seek a quantitative framework for understanding the physical principles of biological organization and function. These students may have backgrounds from physics, engineering, mathematics and chemistry, but seek to wield their quantitative skills in the basic or applied life sciences. The program is also for students with training in the biological sciences looking for training and research opportunities grounded the physical sciences. and who seek a fundamental understanding of biological systems not emphasized in PhD programs associated with departments of biology, medicine, bioinformatics, or engineering. Graduates will likely move onto careers including medicine, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, as well as career opportunities open to graduates with training in the physical sciences. Graduates may also pursue academic positions in the growing area of biophysics.

Admission Requirements:

Admission decisions will be made by the Department of Physics and Astronomy's Graduate Admissions Committee, which will be advised by the PBIO Program Committee (including representatives from other departments). The prerequisite for admission to the Physical Biology (PBIO) PhD program is a bachelor's (or master's) degree in physics, chemistry, biological sciences, engineering or a related field that stresses quantitative training. Successful applicants will have completed undergraduate course work in mathematics (including calculus), physics, chemistry and biological sciences. All applicants for admission must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Transcripts of undergraduate records as well as transcripts of any graduate-level courses are required. The TOEFL or IELTS is required of international students applying for a teaching assistantship as well as for those applying for admission only. Applicants may be admitted to the program at the beginning of the fall or spring semester.

Potential applicants are encouraged to inquire about the program by contacting one or more members of the PBIO Program Committee prior to submitting the online application. In addition to the required test scores, as appropriate, applicants will submit a detailed personal statement explaining the reasons for applying to the PBIO Program, description of previous or ongoing research, and three letters of recommendation. Applicants who are deficient in some areas may be required to remedy the deficiencies as a condition of admittance to the program.

A minimum of 60 units is required.

Admission Requirements and Procedures

Application to the Physician Assistant Program requires completion of a bachelor's degree (in any discipline) from a regionally accredited four-year institution and completion of academic prerequisite requirements.

Admission to the program is for the fall semester only. Admission is granted by the physician assistant selections committee after careful review of all eligible applications. Selections are made on the basis of a formal interview (for competitive applicants) and consideration of a variety of factors, which include: academic record, amount of clinical experience, multicultural sensitivity, community service experience and knowledge of the profession.

Applicants are required to submit an application through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) as well as a USC Supplemental Application by November 1 of each year. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. Further details regarding admission procedures including those for international student applicants are provided online at usc.edu/pa. The program will not waive any aspect of the application or deadline. 

Transfer Students or Advanced Placement

The Physician Assistant Program does not accept transfer students, nor do we allow advanced placement based on prior education or clinical experience. Each applicant who is admitted is required to complete the full Master of Physician Assistant Practice curriculum in residence at USC. No waivers or substitutions are permitted.

Registration

Students receive information regarding registration in the summer prior to enrollment.

Advisement

Virtual advisement appointments are available for prospective students who would like to receive more information regarding the program. For information, please call (626) 457-4240 or email uscpa@usc.edu.

Degree Prerequisites

A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and completion of all prerequisite course work are required for admission to the Physician Assistant Program. 

Applicants are expected to have a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a scale in which A = 4.0).

All science prerequisites are expected to be completed by the end of the fall term in the year prior to matriculation. All non-science prerequisites must be finished by the end of the spring term just before the matriculating fall semester. A maximum of two non-science prerequisite courses can be in-progress during the spring term prior to matriculation.

All prerequisite courses must be completed for letter grades with at least a grade of C (2.0) earned.

Science Prerequisites

One (1) year sequential course work (two semesters or three quarters) for biological-based science majors in each of the following:

Biology

Option (1):

General Biology or Human Biology*: One year sequential course work (equivalent to two semesters or three quarters**)

**Applicants from an institution on the quarter system: If your institution does not offer three (3) quarters of General Biology or Human Biology, you may elect to take two (2) quarters of General Biology and one (1) quarter of one of the following – Genetics, Molecular Biology, Immunology or Cell Biology.

- OR -

Option (2):

One (1) semester/quarter of General Biology or Human Biology and;

One (1) semester or two (2) quarters of an additional Biology course(s) from the list below:

Option 2 biology courses must be designed for biological-based science majors.

• Cell Biology
• Endocrinology
• Histology
• Molecular Biology
• Pharmacology
• Embryology
• Genetics
• Immunology
• Neuroscience

Chemistry with Lab

Option (1):

General Chemistry with lab: One (1) year sequential course work (equivalent to two semesters or three quarters*)

If your institution does not offer a General Chemistry with Lab series, then you must provide proof of completing the introductory chemistry with lab series for biological-based science majors. Applicants from an institution on the quarter system: If your institution does not offer three (3) quarters of General Chemistry with Lab, you may elect to take two (2) quarters of General Chemistry with Lab and one (1) quarter of one of the following: Organic Chemistry with Lab, Biochemistry with Lab, or Inorganic Chemistry with Lab.

- OR -

Option (2):

One (1) semester/quarter of General Chemistry with lab and;

One (1) semester or two (2) quarters of an additional Chemistry course(s) with a lab in the following:

• Organic Chemistry w/lab
• Biochemistry w/lab
• Quantitative Analysis w/lab
• Analytical Chemistry w/lab
• Inorganic Chemistry w/lab

One semester (3 units) or quarter (4 units) of each of the following:

Microbiology with Lab

May be in the following:

• Microbiology with lab
• General Microbiology w/lab
• Introductory Microbiology w/lab
• Medical Microbiology w/lab

Human Anatomy with lab*

Human Physiology*

A combined Human Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) with Lab series can fulfill the Human Anatomy with Lab and Human Physiology prerequisites. If completing an A&P series, then you must complete one (1) year of sequential course work (two semesters or three quarters). For example, if your regionally accredited institution offers a three-quarter A&P series, then you must complete all three courses.

Non-Science Prerequisites:

A minimum of one (1) semester/quarter unit at a regionally accredited institution or submit a medical terminology certificate of completion from a regionally accredited institution or vocational program:

• Medical Terminology

One semester (3 units) or quarter (4 units) of each of the following:

• Statistics

• Introduction/General Psychology

One (1) year for each of the following:

• Beginning Spanish language (Must be college-level credit earned either through course work or by placement examination. There is no language substitution.)

• English – International applicants only

AP Credit

For applicants that received AP credit in prerequisites

Advanced Placement (AP) credit for science prerequisites will not be accepted. If an applicant has received one semester or quarter of AP credit (or equivalent) for Biology or Chemistry with Lab, then the applicant may elect to satisfy the prerequisite(s) in one of two ways:

1. Complete the specific course sequence as outlined above (i.e. complete two semesters or three quarters of the general science course series), or
2. Complete a minimum of two semesters (6 units) or three quarters (9 units) of upper-division course work for biological-based science majors.

For example, if you received AP credit for one term of general biology, then you may satisfy the Biology prerequisite in one of two ways:

1. Complete a one-year (two semesters or three quarters) general biology course sequence for biological-based science majors, or
2. Complete a minimum of two semesters (6 units) or three quarters (9 units) of upper-division course work for biological-based science majors (e.g. cell biology, genetics, histology, etc.).

Upper-division courses for non-majors will not be accepted.

Students who intend to apply to the Physician Assistant Program should contact the admission office for evaluation of previous baccalaureate and/or post-baccalaureate course work.

10-Year Exemption

All prerequisite science courses must be completed within 10 years of the application submission year. Exceptions to the 10-year science prerequisite time frame may be granted on an individual basis to individuals who have completed one of the following:

1. A minimum of 8 semester units of graduate credit in a medically related natural science discipline, with at least a 3.0 GPA, completed within seven years of the application deadline, or
2. Received an advanced degree in the natural sciences, clinical sciences or other appropriate disciplines within 10 years of the application deadline.

In either case, all course work completed and degrees conferred must be from institutions of higher education, which are accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Requests for this 10-year exemption should be directed to uscpa@usc.edu.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to submit all requested documents in support of this request and to ensure that these documents were received. The Chair of Admissions will review all submitted documents and render a decision to the applicant within two weeks of document receipt. All decisions are final. If an exemption is not granted and the applicant wishes to continue the application process, then the applicant will need to complete the prerequisites as specified.

Requests to waive the 10-year requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Chair of Admissions, and a strong history of continued scientific contributions in the applicant's career will be considered. Applicants should provide evidence of their continuation in a scientific or health-related field as part of their 10-year extension request.

Distance Learning 

Distance learning and remote courses are acceptable provided they are equivalent in all dimensions (including laboratory requirements) to courses taught in "traditional" or in-person educational settings. All distance learning course credit must be provided by regionally accredited institutions of higher education.

Clinical Experience

Hands-on, paid, patient care clinical experience is preferred. Please refer to our list of common clinical experiences. Other health care experience is equally acceptable as long as the clinical experience is hands-on in nature. It is important that PA applicants are familiar with medical care environments and the role of a physician assistant, and have experience working with patients. Volunteer clinical experience is also considered in the application process and should be entered into the CASPA application, as well; the applicant is encouraged to describe their hands-on experience, whether it is paid or volunteer

Shadowing Experiences

Shadowing a Physician Assistant (PA) is preferred in the admissions application process. The selections committee defines shadowing as observing a PA in the care of patients, working alongside a PA on a day-to-day basis or attending virtual shadowing opportunities. Virtual shadowing experiences can include telehealth, provider platforms, and websites that offer case studies provided by a PA. The goal of shadowing is to help an applicant articulate the role of a PA.

Community Service Activities

Applicants are expected to demonstrate a commitment to community service. Service that benefits underserved or disadvantaged groups is highly desirable as the program has a commitment to training its students as primary care providers with these populations. This can include experiences with Habitat for Humanity, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, tutoring, soup kitchens and homeless shelters.

Curriculum Requirements

The completion of the 33-month professional curriculum is required to earn the Master of Physician Assistant Practice degree. Students do not have choices of courses to take nor are they permitted to drop any course or courses during the semester. Progress is permitted only when the prior semester is successfully completed. Students should view the curriculum outlined here as advisory only and subject to modification.

Summative Evaluation

A summative evaluation, using standardized clinical cases and a written examination, is completed during the final semester to assess each student's preparedness to graduate, and enter clinical practice.

Health Requirements and Technical Standards

All accepted candidates are required to meet the PA program's technical standards (physical and psychological competencies of performance) prior to entering the program and throughout training. Upon acceptance, students will be required to submit and maintain evidence of current health status and immunizations. Students are also required to maintain university-approved health care insurance coverage while enrolled in the program. Specific details outlining these technical standards are located at usc.edu/pa.

Employment

The Primary Care Physician Assistant Program at USC is a full-time program. Students are strongly discouraged to accept or continue outside employment while enrolled in the program. Students are not permitted to work for the program.

Background Check

In 2020, California became the fifth state to prohibit the use of criminal background checks in admissions considerations for graduate schools when the California Education Code 66024p was updated following the passage of the "Ban the Box" bill. While this legislation prohibits schools from process background considering criminal backgrounds in the admissions process, it does not prohibit criminal background checks for matriculated students. These background checks are required to work with minors and to participate in clinical training activities with health care partners throughout the state. Students who matriculate with a history of a criminal conviction may not be able to successfully complete the curriculum due to these requirements, and therefore, should check with the program prior to matriculation. In addition, criminal background checks including LiveScan are required for state licensure in California and a history of a criminal conviction may be considered by the California Physician Assistant Board as well as other state medical boards and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants in the licensure application. Applicants/matriculants should consult with these entities prior to matriculation to ensure they will be eligible for licensure upon completion of their degree.

Degree Requirements

All students in the Master of Physician Assistant Practice degree program must meet course and grade point average requirements. All students must complete each semester with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or greater. Failure to achieve a 3.0 cumulative grade point average will result in automatic academic probation and a subsequent semester below a 3.0 cumulative grade point average will result in academic dismissal. The degree will not be conferred until the student has successfully completed all degree requirements. Students are subject to the degree requirements in the catalogue current for the semester of their admission into the program.

Physician assistant students are enrolled in a standard curriculum during their 33 months in the program. The following courses must be successfully completed in order to earn the Master of Physician Assistant Practice degree. Only physician assistant students may enroll in these courses. Departmental clearance is required to enroll.