Certificate in Ambulatory Care

The Health Services Administration Program of the Price School of Public Policy offers two certificate programs:

  • Administration of Long-term Care Programs
  • Management of Ambulatory Care Systems

The Certificate in Ambulatory Care is designed to provide practitioners with the means for improving or updating their knowledge and experience in a challenging and professionally relevant course of study.

» Required Courses
» Admission Requirements
» Application Materials
» Application Deadlines

Required Courses (20 units)

    Core Courses (16 units)
  • Problems and Issues in the Health Field (PPD 509)

  • Financial Management of Health Services (PPD 510a) or
    Financial Accounting in the Public Nonprofit Sectors (PPD 516x)

  • Human Behavior in Public Organizations (PPD 545) or
    Modeling and Operations Research (PPD 557)

  • Four units from:
    • PPD 600, PPD 601 or GERO 550

  • One elective

Admission Requirements
It is expected that applicants to the certificate programs should have graduated from a recognized college with an approximate grade point average of B in the last 60 units of college work. Non-graduates may be admitted if the director believes that there is evidence to suggest that the applicant is capable of graduate level work.

Completing a certificate program does not constitute completion of or admission to the Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.) degree program nor will it be a deciding factor in the admission decision to the M.H.A. degree program. Students in the M.H.A. program, however, may qualify for award of these certificates if they complete the applicable course requirements.

Application Materials
Prospective USC students, as well as continuing USC students, must submit the following documents:

  • a completed USC Graduate Application (may be completed on-line)
  • $85 application fee (waived for USC current student, alumni, and staff)
  • official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
  • a current resume
  • one letter of recommendation, preferably an academic reference
  • a written statement of approximately 1,500 words addressing the following questions:
    • Why are you interested in pursuing the Certificate in Ambulatory Care Systems?
    • How will a Certificate in Ambulatory Care Systems affect or enhance your career aspirations and goals?

International students must also submit the following documents:

  • official TOEFL scores
  • official transcripts indicating the award of all degrees with the title and date conferred in the applicant’s native language and an exact translation into English of each document
  • a financial guarantee statement showing proof of the ability to pay all tuition and living expenses

Continuing USC Price students are not required to submit transcripts and letters of recommendation; these documents will be obtained electronically by the Office of Graduate Admissions from their original online graduate application.

Application Deadlines
July 1: Fall Admission
April 1: Summer Admission
November 1: Spring Admission