Shape the World
- Public Administration
- Public Policy
- Urban Planning
- Real Estate Development
- Health Administration
- International Initiatives
“Our school represents the intersection of the intellectual areas determining the future of our society. SPPD combines different disciplines to approach today’s complex social challenges in a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, solution-oriented way.”
Jack H. Knott, Ph.D.
C. Erwin and Ione L. Piper Dean and Professor of SPPD
“When I think of SPPD students, I think of passion. I’m constantly amazed by their willingness to take chances and to do things to change the world.”
Prof. David Sloane, Ph.D.
Director, Undergraduate Programs
“Our students come to SPPD because they want to change the world. They bring that desire and passion across a variety of issue areas. Our job is to give them the tools to help them.”
Prof. Elizabeth Graddy, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Dean for Faulty and Academic Affairs
“Our students come to SPPD with so many inherent skills and talents. During their time here, they really develop into a community of leaders.”
Dr. Juliet Musso, Associate Professor and Director
Graduate Programs in Public Policy & Management
“Urban planning is about anticipating the future. It is about social equity and environmental justice, community livability, and sustainable development. It aims to improve the community environment and the quality of life in urban places and urbanizing societies.”
Prof. Tridib Banerjee, Ph.D.
Director, Graduate Programs in Urban Planning
“The U.S. and California healthcare systems evolve constantly to better meet the needs of society, even when faced with significant budget constraints. Our program prepares healthcare administrators to lead their organizations by adopting innovative solutions based on evidence.”
Prof. Mike Nichol, Ph.D.
Director, Graduate Programs in Health
“SPPD's research allows us to better understand communities and institutions. We apply this knowledge to create vital solutions to real-world problems.”
Prof. Genevieve Giuliano, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Dean for Research and Technology
“Ultimately, we want to ‘bring global home’ in a way that a global perspective is a normal perspective.”
Prof. Eric Heikkila, Ph.D.
Director, SPPD International Initiatives
“Real estate development is about training people to contribute to the built environment. It involves vision. It involves active engagement with the community. And it involves working with various disciplines and sectors to implement solutions.”
Prof. Peter Gordon, Ph.D.
Director, Graduate Programs in Real Estate
“We develop leaders who lead from their core values, and embrace both the challenge of innovation and of letting go of what’s not working.”
Clinical Prof. Richard Callahan, D.P.A.
Associate Dean and Director of Leadership Programs
SPPD News
USC Students Engage Children Every Week
Now in its third year, ENGAGE has been helping make a positive difference each week in the local community, providing dinner, structured homework time, guest speakers, field trips and activities for neighborhood children. The program began when then-USC graduate students Jesus Diaz and Renee Burwell noticed a dearth of after-school programming for local children. Burwell is an alumna of the USC School of Policy, Planning, Development, having earned her MPA degree in '08.
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