Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies Program

History and Mission

The Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies (HP) at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California was created in 1997.

The mission of the HP program is to inspire future health professionals to serve the whole person and the whole of society by educating them about the socio-cultural, behavioral, psychological and biological factors that contribute to wellness and disease.

The Bachelor of Science Program

The curriculum consists of foundational courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, psychology and health policy; required departmental courses in health behavior, statistical analysis and research design; electives in a variety of areas related to health promotion and disease prevention; and a required internship or research project.

The HP program also sponsors six minors: Cinema-Television for the Health Professions, Cultural Competence in Medicine, Health Communication, Public Health, Nutrition and Health Promotion, and Substance Abuse Prevention.

Looking Forward

Future plans for the program include the design and implementation of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Promotion and Disease  Prevention Studies for students who plan to use their background in public health as a stepping stone to other fields, such as law, journalism or education, as well as a minor  program in International Health.