Graduate & Professional Degrees

The graduate certificate in Advanced Integrative Social Work and Nursing Practice focuses on micro clinical interventions, mezzo organizational systems of care and macro health care policy to promote wellness and recovery for individuals living with co-occurring health and mental health disorders. Course work applied to this certificate incorporates theories and models regarding primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, etiology and treatment of health and mental health related issues across systems of care. Students draw on theory, biopsychosocial assessment, diagnosis and treatment goals to select and implement evidence-supported interventions that focuses on the intersection of physical and mental health disorders and associated behaviors that may require complex intervention strategies. Social workers and nurses consider pertinent theory, client characteristics, intersecting health and mental health issues, client motivation and readiness for change, and client needs and desires to implement best interventions in accordance with their goals and available resources. Evidence-supported interventions, including medication adherence, retention in care and chronic disease self-management. This certificate enables graduates to work with clients to enhance the quality of health and mental health care.

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work offers university certificates that provide students advanced practice or research training through a social justice and intercultural competence lens that emphasizes community, organizational and environmental justice. Certificates are designed to complement and deepen training provided through our degree programs by focusing on experiential application of concepts in relation to particular and diverse client populations, settings, and systems. Each certificate consists of at least 12 units, which may in part be satisfied by courses completed for a degree program.

The graduate certificate in Advanced Integrative Social Work and Nursing Practice requires a minimum of 13 units.

The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry offers a 26-month program leading to a Certificate in Advanced Operative and Adhesive Dentistry.

The program provides students with in-depth scientific knowledge and clinical experience in operative and adhesive dentistry, including cutting-edge technologies in minimally invasive adhesive dentistry, esthetic functional rehabilitation, digital workflow, CAD/CAM technologies, cariology, dental biomaterials, implant dentistry and advanced esthetic treatment planning. In addition, the programs offer students teaching experience through assisting the learning activities of the Doctor of Dental Surgery Program.

Biomaterials research is an integral part of the curriculum. Students enrolled in the Certificate in Operative and Adhesive Dentistry have an opportunity to apply for the Master of Science in Biomaterials and Digital Dentistry (BMDD).

The program in Advanced Operative and Adhesive Dentistry Certificate requires DDS, DMD or equivalent degree (for international dentist applicants), grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher, three letters of recommendation, curriculum vitæ, and statement of purpose. For non-native English speakers, an Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) test score of 90 or above is required, with 20 or above on each section (reading, listening, speaking and writing). The exam score should be current (less than two years old). Non-US obtained dental school transcripts must be translated and certified by Educational Credential Evaluators Report (ECE).

The clinical, research and teaching experiences will prepare graduates for future academic careers in dental research and education, as well as career options in dental related public organizations and private organizations.

The advanced education program in oral and maxillofacial surgery is a continuous 48-month course of study that prepares the graduate for the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery. The program in oral surgery is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. The program also meets the requirements of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

The program is conducted at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry and at the Los Angeles General Medical Center. The course provides graduates with the necessary background for certification by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Certificates are awarded upon successful completion of the 48-month course.

The Master of Science degree in orofacial pain and oral medicine program consists of a 36-month hybrid program (online and face-to-face) leading to a master's degree in orofacial pain and oral medicine (OFPOM). The curriculum is designed to provide practicing dentists with advanced knowledge and training in the areas of orofacial pain and oral medicine including sleep medicine.

The program consists of a series of 14 online didactic courses where the students will gain knowledge about the underlying science as well as the diagnosis, pathobiology and treatment of different oral and maxillofacial diseases and disorders. In addition to these courses, the student will attend USC for two weeks each summer during the three-year period for an additional three face-to-face assessment courses where they will be tested for knowledge acquisition using a set of objective standardized clinical examinations, oral interviews and written examinations. They will also be required to prepare a final portfolio of cases and conduct and present a research project report. During their visits to USC, the residents will gain experience diagnosing and treating patients in the USC OFOPM center.

During the year, the residents will attend weekly video conferences where online students are required to analyze, diagnose and prepare treatment plan cases that are posted for analysis. These cases will cover the following diseases: temporomandibular disorders; infectious, dysplastic, neoplastic proliferative, erosive and ulcerative oral and pharyngeal mucosal diseases. Students will also learn about and work with patients who have various salivary, neurogenic, osseous, and odontogenic infections, tumors and diseases including oral neuropathic pain, oral spasticity, migraine, tension type and chronic daily headache and sleep apnea disorders.

The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry's 24-month, certificate residency program in advanced orofacial pain trains one to two residents per year to be expert clinicians in orofacial pain with an emphasis on oral medicine.

The program has received accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association (ADA). The certificate curriculum is designed with a series of didactic courses in which students will gain knowledge about the diagnosis, pathobiology and treatment of different oral diseases in the field of orofacial pain. The field of orofacial pain encompasses masticatory musculoskeletal pain, neurogenic orofacial pain, sleep disorders related to orofacial pain, temporomandibular disorders, headaches, orofacial motor disorders including orofacial dystonias and bruxism, intraoral, intracranial, extracranial and systemic disorders that cause orofacial pain. The courses and clinical experiences covered in the intensive two-year program are listed below.

The advanced orthodontics certificate program is a 34-month course of study leading to a certificate in orthodontics. The program in orthodontics is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. Upon completion of all requirements, the graduate is eligible for examination and certification by the American Board of Orthodontics.

The program has as its primary mission the preparation and training of residents for clinical practice in the specialty of orthodontics. This is achieved through a broad, in-depth curriculum designed to develop proficiency in clinical orthodontics with a solid foundation in fundamental and advanced biological and mechanical principles. Clinical training is evidence-based and includes treatment of orthognathic, esthetic, interdisciplinary, interceptive, growth modification and all types of malocclusion cases. Research is an integral part of the program and the student must complete an original research project. Preparation for a successful orthodontic career includes formal courses in orthodontic practice management, and current orthodontic technology and techniques.

The advanced pediatric dentistry certificate program is a 24-month course of study designed to provide students with the background information and clinical experience necessary for the practice of pediatric dentistry. The program in pediatric dentistry is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. The program also meets the educational requirements of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

First-year studies emphasize advanced pediatric dentistry theory and clinical treatment of the "healthy" child. Students develop a sound basis in genetics, growth and development, nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic behavior guidance, physical evaluation, research methodology and statistics, interceptive orthodontics, prevention and a review of the pediatric dentistry literature. Second year studies concentrate on oral health care of children with physical, medical, intellectual and emotional disabilities. The second year student serves as a hospital-based resident at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center/Miller Children's Hospital or Children's Hospital of Orange County (with the Healthy Smiles for Kids community clinic). Residents also rotate to Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center and the Pediatric Dental Clinic (PDC) at Los Angeles General Medical Center. Students gain experience in performing operating room procedures, oral conscious sedation, participating on interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary teams, providing emergency treatment and treating children with medical issues, developmental disabilities and pathologies in the hospital environment.

In addition to the two-year program, opportunities are available to combine the basic certificate program with a master's or doctoral degree through the Keck School of Medicine in either Academic Medicine (MACM) or Public Health (MPH).

The purpose of the combined Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry/Master's Degree program is to prepare highly qualified specialists in pediatric dentistry who can assume leadership positions in dental education, service to the community, dental research and oral health care of children with developmental disabilities and medically compromising conditions.

An individual who elects to apply to the combined program should apply first to the certificate program. Upon acceptance into the certificate program, the applicant would then apply for the master's programs. The first year of the combined program would be spent in pediatric dentistry. Master's level courses would be introduced within the second and third years of the combined programs.

The advanced periodontology program offers a 36-month course of study leading to a certificate of clinical training in periodontology. Interested applicants have the option to enroll in a 24-month Master of Science in Biomedical Implants and Tissue Engineering (BITE) in conjunction with the Periodontology certificate. The program in periodontology is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation, and the United States Department of Education. The program also meets the educational requirements of the American Board of Periodontology. Preparation for board certification process is an integral part of the curriculum, and all graduates are highly encouraged to achieve diplomate status of the American Board of Periodontology and Dental Implant Surgery.

The curriculum provides a sound foundation in basic sciences and clinical sciences with direct application to clinical periodontology and dental implantology. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based clinical practice in order to select appropriate therapies rooted in scientific evidence.

The USC Advanced Periodontology Program is designed to train clinicians with the competency and advanced skills to practice clinical periodontology at the highest level. Residents will acquire expertise in diagnosis and treatment of patients with periodontal and peri-implant diseases and conditions. Residents master various therapeutic procedures such as controlling inflammation through non-surgical and surgical therapy including respective and regenerative procedures, reconstructive/periodontal plastic surgery, replacement of missing and hopeless teeth with dental implants as well as hard and soft tissue surgery for dental implant site development. Clinical training is provided to achieve competency in pharmacosedation, including inhalation sedation as well as adult minimal enteral and moderate parenteral sedation as defined by the ADA Guidelines for Teaching Pain Control and Sedation to Dentists and Dental Students. During the course of the study, periodontology residents work very closely with other disciplines such as prosthodontics, orthodontics, endodontics, and oral medicine in delivering complex interdisciplinary patient care.

The USC School of Pharmacy Graduate Certificate for Advanced Pharmacy Practice program provides an accelerated pathway to licensure for foreign-trained pharmacists with advanced degrees. Participants, who must have FPGEC certification to enroll, will benefit from the extensive network for pharmacy practice rotations at USC to complete four core 6-unit rotations and 12 units of elective rotations. Participants will also enroll in the Capstone course that prepares them for the NAPLEX and CPJE or MPJE exams.