Education and Training

The undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the IPR are noteworthy for the extensive opportunities offered to the students for involvement in faculty research. Student opportunities to take part in diverse research programs are bolstered by both the department training philosophy and its emphasis on interdisciplinary research and collaborations. Across the department, postdoctoral researchers are training to assume the positions as tomorrow’s leaders in preventive medicine.

Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

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.

Click Here

Master of Public Health Program

The MPH program is a product of the university’s commitment to the health and well-being of its surrounding communities, as well as to Southern California and the nation. The Department of Preventive Medicine first offered the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in 1998 for motivated students and professionals interested in the application of health promotion and disease prevention technologies and interventions designed to improve and enhance the quality of life. The program curriculum is designed to prepare community health/preventive medicine practitioners to access community needs of populations, design, implement and evaluate health promotion programs to diverse audiences. Students begin with coursework in the core areas of public health designed to provide an overview of related issues and competencies required to address community health problems.

Click Here

Doctor of Philosophy in Health Behavior Research

The specific objective of the program is to train exceptional researchers and scholars in the interdisciplinary field of health behavior research. The well-rounded training that students receive encompasses theory and methods from many allied fields including: communications, psychology, preventive medicine, biostatistics, public health and epidemiology. Students also receive research experience participating in projects conducted by HBR faculty, most of them through the USC Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research (IPR).

Click Here

Postdoctoral Training in Cancer Control Research

The Department of Preventive Medicine, Division of Health Behavior Research offers postdoctoral training in cancer control and epidemiology funded by the National Cancer Institute. The purpose of the NIH-funded program is to train postdoctoral fellows to conduct collaborative as well as independent research. Fellowship positions provide mentored training in research as well as protected time to participate in publishing, grant writing, and other career development activities. Fellows will have the opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary group of faculty who conduct research on the determinants, epidemiology, and intervention/prevention of behavioral influences on cancer risk and survivorship. Depending on area of expertise, fellows may be engaged in integrative research bridging two or more disciplines and departments, e.g., epidemiology and geography, or psychology and physiology. Candidates should have a strong background in health behavior research, cognitive science, psychology, psychoneuroimmunology, health disparities or global health, or in other disciplines with strong potential for innovative applications in prevention.

More Information

Previous slide

Next slide

Institute for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Research (IPR)

University of Southern California

Education and Training