Requirements

Training in the doctoral program in health behavior research follows a mentorship model combining coursework with close research collaborations between students and faculty. The first three years of training emphasize coursework and research performed under the guidance of the student's faculty advisor. After the third year, student activities shift toward completion of their own research with continual collaboration with faculty.

Students are required to complete a total of 60 units of core and elective courses, most offered through the Division of Health Behavior Research and the remainder through the Division of Biostatistics (content courses in biostatistics and epidemiology). In addition, students devote nearly half their time to research activities. The following core courses (37 units total) are required of each student:

PM 500 Foundations of Health Behavior
PM 511a,b Data Analysis (2 courses)
PM 515 Behavioral Epidemiology
PM 530 Biological Basis of Disease
PM 601 Basic Theory and Strategies in Prevention
PM 602 Basic Theory and Strategies for Compliance & Adaptation
PM 604 Health Behavior Research Methods
PM 756 Research Seminar in Health Behavior (6 sessions)

In addition to core course requirements, the curriculum includes 16 units of directed and independent research activities (including the dissertation study) and content courses in biostatistics and epidemiology. A minimum of seven units of elective graduate coursework available through the Department of Preventive Medicine, or another department offering complementary coursework, is required. (For a description of all courses offered through the Department of Preventive Medicine, see: http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/cat2002/medicine/.)

The IPR doctoral program is full-time. Students are expected to enroll in fall, spring, and summer semesters(although during the summer students usually work on research projects and do not enroll in regular coursework). The program is structured as a four to five year course of study, length of time dependent on the student's course schedule, pace of work and dissertation study, and is subject to the IPR Graduate Program Committee and USC Graduate School approval. For more information on the program or the requirements for admission, please contact Marny Barovich via email (barovich@usc.edu) or phone (626- 457-6648).