Graduate Degrees at the Keck School

The Master of Addiction Science (MAS) is designed for students interested in transdisciplinary and inter-professional approaches to the study of addiction. Courses are offered across multiple disciplines that allow students to gain a perspective in addiction from an array of science and policy aspects.

The Master of Science in Applied Biostatistics and Epidemiology is designed for students interested in epidemiological and clinical trial study design and data analysis.

The Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering degree is designed to be completed in two years or less of full-time study beyond the Bachelor of Science Degree. The MS in Biomedical Engineering can be completed with a thesis, requiring 4 units of BME 594abz, or without a thesis, requiring coursework only.

The Master of Science in Biostatistics is designed for students interested in applying statistical methods to the design and analysis of biomedical research and clinical investigations data.

Students who enter our PhD program in Biostatistics will learn to creatively apply their knowledge of statistical theory and methodology to statistical problems in the biological and health sciences. Graduates of this program are equipped with the research, teaching, and consulting skills needed for biostatistics careers in industry or academia.

Cancer Biology & Genomics capitalizes on USC’s Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of the oldest National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States. A Comprehensive Cancer Center designation requires that clinical treatment of patients and scientific research are carried out side by side. The Norris has strength in all areas of cancer research, including clinical and basic research and epidemiology.

The Master of Science in Cancer Biology and Molecular Medicine seeks to provide rigorous theoretical and practical training in biochemistry and molecular medicine-related research. Students are expected to write and defend a thesis that describes research completed in our laboratories in the areas of inherited diseases, cancer, development, stem cells, drug discovery, epigenetics, structural biology, and bioinformatics. A majority of our graduates have been successful in gaining admission to top PhD programs or internships/jobs in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry.

This intensive two-year Master of Science in Cancer Genomics and Bioinformatics is focused on training individuals who have strong backgrounds in laboratory-based biomedical sciences and seek the skills for analyzing, processing, and managing large-scale data. Graduates are suited to work as applied bioinformaticians within academic research laboratories, clinical research laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and biotechnology companies.

The Master of Science in Clinical Translational Research is a collaborative program aimed at providing training in clinical research methods. This program is designed for medical students, fellows, health professionals, faculty members, and scientists who are involved in clinical research. The goal is to equip participants with the skills needed to translate discoveries in clinical, biomedical, and technological fields into advancements in population-based, clinical, or basic science research.

Development, Stem Cells, & Regenerative Medicine benefits from our wonderful Center for Regenerative Medicine and our strength in stem cell research, tissue engineering and regeneration.

The Program of Nurse Anesthesia prepares qualified nurses to obtain a professional doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice; upon successful completion of the curriculum the student is authorized to sit for the certification examination given by the National Board of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists. The USC program offers a concentrated academic and comprehensive clinical curriculum.

The PhD in Epidemiology provides preparation in methodologic and applied epidemiology, emphasizing the use of advanced design and analytic techniques to problems of etiology, human biology, public health and evidence-based medicine. Applications are encouraged from those with strong quantitative skills who have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree in the biological sciences, public health, medicine, allied health, or related fields.

The Master of Science in Global Medicine degree answers the urgent need for professional training in concepts of global health. Combining a strong medical science foundation with interdisciplinary approaches to healthcare, this program equips future healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to solve worldwide health issues.

The PhD in Health Behavior Research provides academic and research training for students interested in pursuing career opportunities in the field of health promotion and disease prevention research. Students receive well-rounded training encompassing theory and methods from allied fields such as communications, psychology, preventive medicine, biostatistics, public health and epidemiology. The program prepares students for research positions in the areas of preventive medicine, public health, population health science, health psychology, and health policy research.

The Master of Science in Health Systems Management Engineering (HSME) joint degree program, offered by the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, teaches these skills to Physicians, Nurses, Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Specialists, interested in leading this transformation. The program moves graduates to the forefront of healthcare innovation, re-engineering how health care is more efficiently delivered and better patient outcomes can be achieved.

The Infectious Diseases, Immunology & Pathogenesis program focuses on translating bench research to the bedside by investigating human organ systems in health and disease. It takes advantage of our outstanding clinical and basic scientists and the exciting interdisciplinary and collaborative atmosphere at USC.

The Master of Science in Integrative Anatomical Sciences degree is awarded for demonstrated competence in the anatomical sciences. This is a two semester program that begins with intensive training in human gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, and microanatomy in the Fall term.

A PhD in Integrative Anatomical Sciences will provide students with a broad foundation in the anatomical sciences, including human gross anatomy, microanatomy, and neuroanatomy. Students will build on this foundation to develop detailed expertise in their chosen area of research under the guidance of the faculty in the Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences. Faculty research interests span a wide range of topics including evolutionary morphology, comparative biomechanics, and integrative physiology.

The MD-MBA is a dual degree program between the Keck School of Medicine and the USC Marshall School of Business for students who want an in-depth understanding of the increasing role that business plays in the delivery of health care.

The MD/MHA is a dual degree program with the Keck School of Medicine and the Price School of Public Policy seeks to train leaders in medicine who can function as managers and administrators for health care systems. Graduates will have the opportunity to transform health care through the innovative and collaborative evidence-based approaches they learn in this dual degree program.

The Physician-Citizen-Scholar MD Curriculum ensures that Keck School of Medicine students gain the medical knowledge and clinical skills to become outstanding physicians and contribute to solving problems of patient care and health systems.

The Medical Biophysics program seeks to answer important biomedical questions using all aspects of biophysics, with an emphasis on structural biology and biophysical methods and theories. Some faculty members of this program are located on the University Park (undergraduate) USC campus.

This program is designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed for the development of medical devices and diagnostic techniques, including aspects of medical product regulation and product development.

The Molecular Medicine PhD Program offers comprehensive research training at the intersection of medicine and molecular biology, equipping students with practical skills and a collaborative environment to make significant contributions to medical advancements.

The primary objective of the Master of Science in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology is to prepare students for a career in the broad field of biomedical sciences with focus on, but not limited to, microbiology, virology, immunology and cancer research. This program provides extensive theoretical preparation in combination with hands-on research.

The Master of Science in Molecular Pathology and Experimental Medicine invites you to explore the forefront of biomedical discovery, disease mechanisms, and translational medicine. This two-year program provides advanced training and hands-on research to prepare the next generation of scientists and innovators in healthcare. You will gain a deep understanding of human disease, with a strong emphasis on experimental learning and mentorship from USC Pathology faculty within the Keck School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital.

The mission of the Master of Science in Narrative Medicine program is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to bear witness to and act upon the stories of others, empowering future scholars and practitioners in healthcare and its allied fields to advocate for health and social justice through community engagement and service.

In our one-year Master of Science in Neuroimaging and Informatics degree program, students attend lectures and perform hands-on activities that teach them to acquire brain MRI data on our Siemens 3T and 7T scanners, analyze multimodal brain imaging data, design neuroimaging studies, perform computational modeling, use animal model techniques, and more.

The NEUM PhD program trains researchers to address neurological and neurodegenerative diseases through interdisciplinary approaches, equipping them with knowledge in disease biology, pathophysiology, model systems and data science, and the skills to conduct rigorous basic and translational research and develop cutting-edge technologies. 

The Master of Science in Perfusion Sciences (MSPS) prepares students to become skilled cardiovascular perfusionists who support patients during cardiac surgery using advanced heart-lung technology.

Programs in Biomedical and Biological Sciences (PIBBS) allows students to explore various biomedical fields via lab rotations before choosing a specific interdisciplinary PhD program. PhDs are available in Cancer Biology and Genomics; Development, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine; Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Pathogenesis; and Medical Biophysics.

The Primary Care Physician Assistant Program trains students in a range of medical, social and behavioral sciences required for competent clinical practice. Physician assistants are educated in basic medical sciences and clinical disciplines, including human anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and clinical laboratory medicine.

Physicians whose expertise extends from the research laboratory to the clinic are in demand. This translational medicine–focused program prepares students to engage in cutting-edge research, giving them an edge when competing for faculty positions and research funding.

The Master of Public Health (on-campus) program offers a rigorous curriculum that attracts dedicated and ambitious professionals with a passion to serve in the public health arena. The program’s core coursework aims to develop key public health competencies and skills using cases and examples from industry, ranging from local to global.

The Online Master of Public Health program prepares you to lead with confidence and maximize your impact in public health and health care. By pursuing your MPH online, you can complete your degree on a schedule that fits your personal and professional commitments.

The Master of Science in Public Health Data Science integrates biostatistics, epidemiology, and computer science. Students will be prepared for careers where there is a growing need for individuals who can learn from data to address important questions in public health and biomedical sciences.

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) provides graduate level academic and clinical training to enter the field of speech-language pathology. Graduates will be trained in the prevention, assessment and intervention for individuals with communication and swallowing disorders across settings and across the lifespan.

The Master of Science Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine degree program invites you to chart the course for the medicine of the future—regenerative medicine. This is one of the first master’s programs in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine in the United States.

The Master of Science in Translational Biotechnology program combines a unique curriculum and distinctive practical training that exposes students to biotechnology and its applications in translating genomic and molecular insights into developing novel therapies and precision medicine. Drawing strength from the Keck School of Medicine faculty’s education, research, and practice expertise, this program educates students on approaches used in the academic research, biotechnology and medical sciences industries.

A fully funded joint program of USC and Caltech, for individuals who aspire to a career as a clinician-scientist in academic medicine or in the biomedical industry.