1.       Q: How can I apply for admissions to the University of Southern California (USC) so that I can take advantage of programs like the Minor in Health Care Studies?

A: For USC admissions information, please visit: http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/.

2.       Q: How do I find out more about the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences?

A: For Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences admissions information, please visit: http://dornsife.usc.edu/admission/.

3.       Q: How can I find out more about the Keck School of Medicine?

A: For further information about the Keck School of Medicine, please visit: http://keck.usc.edu/.

4.       Q: How do I declare a major within the sciences?

A: For major requirements in the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, please visit: http://catalogue.usc.edu/schools/college/.

5.       Q: Who is eligible to declare a Minor in Health Care Studies?

A: Please refer to the “Minor Application Information” section of our website.  Review the minor requirements and consult with your departmental academic advisor to ensure you are able to complete the minor by your anticipated graduation date.

Students who wish to declare a Minor in Health Care Studies must:

-          Declare a major.

-          Maintain at minimum a sophomore standing at USC (32 units at USC for students who entered as freshman or 16 units at USC for students who entered as transfers).

-          Maintain good academic standing and a minimum overall GPA of 2.0.

6.       Q: How do I declare a Minor in Health Care Studies?

A: Please refer to the “Minor Application Information” section of our website.  Review the minor requirements and consult with your departmental academic advisor to ensure you are able to complete the minor by your anticipated graduation date.

Once you have determined you would like to add the Minor in Health Care Studies, please complete the Minor Application Form and the Major-Minor Form.  Submit completed application documents to eyamauch@usc.edu. 

7.       Q: How soon can I expect to hear back about my admission to the Minor in Health Care Studies Program?

A: From the date the application is submitted:

-          5 business days – applicants will be notified that their application has been received.

-          15 business days – applicants will be notified about their admission status to the Minor in Health Care Studies Program.

*Please note that all notifications will be sent to students’ USC email addresses.

8.       Q: Do I need to declare/be admitted to the Minor in Health Care Studies Program in order to take the program courses?

A: No.  Courses within the minor are open to all students, whether they have declared the minor or not.

 
9.       Q: Who is eligible to register for courses within the Minor in Health Care Studies Program?

A: MEDS courses are open to all majors.

To determine eligibility to enroll in non-MEDS courses, please consult with the respective academic departments sponsoring the course (i.e. BISC, EXSC, etc.).


10.   Q: Where can I get information about Minor in Health Care Studies program events/activities?

A: For updates on program activities or upcoming events, please visit: http://dornsife.usc.edu/minor-in-health-care-studies/.   If you would like to receive emails about the Minor in Health Care Studies program, please contact Erin Yamauchi at eyamauch@usc.edu to complete a “Prospective Student Form” and sign-up for our notifications.

11.   Q: Do the minor courses count towards my science GPA?

A: For all non-MEDS courses, please consult with the respective academic departments sponsoring the course (i.e. BISC, EXSC, etc.).

As our MEDS courses are relatively new we have not yet received word on whether they will count towards your science GPA or not.  We appreciate your patience as we consult with the AAMC on this issue and will post updated information here as soon as it becomes available.


12.   Q: How many units are required for the Minor in Health Care Studies?

A: Please refer to the “Minor in Health Care Studies Requirements” section.

Please note -

-          The Minor in Health Care Studies Program requires a total of 28 units

-          16 units MUST be upper division (300-level courses and higher)

-          16 units MUST be unique to the minor (units cannot overlap with major or other minor program requirements)

13.   Q: How can I get d-clearance for a course?

A: Dr. Stuart Swadron, Assistant Dean, Pre-Health Undergraduate Studies will approve all d-clearances issued for MEDS courses.  To obtain d-clearance for all non-MEDS courses, please consult with the respective academic departments sponsoring the course (i.e. BISC, EXSC, etc.).

To obtain d-clearance for a MEDS course, please contact the Program Specialist at eyamauch@usc.edu with “D-Clearance for [COURSE TITLE]” in the subject line of your email and provide your 10-digit USC student ID #.  Once d-clearance has been granted you will be notified via email.

14.   Is there a way to waive a pre-requisite?

A: Dr. Stuart Swadron, Assistant Dean, Pre-Health Undergraduate Studies will approve all pre-requisite waivers for MEDS courses.  To obtain a pre-requisite waiver for all non-MEDS courses, please consult with the respective academic departments sponsoring the course (i.e. BISC, EXSC, etc.).  The Program Specialist will review each request with Dr. Swadron.  Once Dr. Swadron has given his approval, d-clearance will be granted and you will be notified via email.

To obtain a pre-requisite waiver for a course, please contact the Program Specialist at eyamauch@usc.edu with “Pre-Requisite Waiver for [COURSE TITLE]” in the subject line of your email and provide your 10-digit USC student ID #.  The Program Specialist will review each request with Dr. Swadron.  Once Dr. Swadron has given his approval, a waiver will be granted and you will be notified via email.

15.   Q: Who can I contact for advising regarding my course load and schedule?

A: In general, questions concerning major and general education requirements should be addressed with students’ departmental academic advisors.  Student with questions pertaining to pre-health programs (including MCAT scheduling, application preparation, LOR’s or personal statements) may contact the Pre-Health Advising Office (http://dornsife.usc.edu/pre-health-contact-advisors/). 

Consultation with a departmental advisor and the Pre-Health Advising Office will provide fundamental information that will then help guide you in selecting your minor courses.

Please contact Erin Yamauchi at eyamauch@usc.edu or at (323) 442-4300 with any specific questions pertaining to the Minor in Health Care Studies.  Walk-in appointments are also accepted.  Please visit our office at the Health Science Campus in the Keith Administration Building (KAM), Room 100F (in the Student Affairs suite).

*See Q. 10 for HSC map.

16.   Q: What are the different Tracks available for the MEDS-490x Directed Research in Biomedical Sciences course?

A: Please see our “MEDS-490 Directed Biomedical Research” Section of our website (http://dornsife.usc.edu/minor-in-health-care-studies/) for further information. 

 
17.   Q: How do I get to the Health Science Campus?

A: The Health Science Campus is located about 8 miles NE of UPC.  Please visit their website for further directions and a map of campus - http://visit.usc.edu/maps-directions/health-sciences-campus/.

There is an intercampus shuttle (ICS) between UPC and HSC.  Please visit the USC Transportation website for further information and shuttle schedules – http://transnet.usc.edu/transit/routes.aspx.

*Please allow a minimum of 20-30 minutes of travel time between each campus.

18.   Q: How do I get to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA)?

A: CHLA is located about 7 miles N of UPC.  Please visit their website for further directions and a map of their facilities - http://www.chla.org/site/c.ipINKTOAJsG/b.3783207/k.DC76/Locations_and_Directions__Transportation__Parking.htm.

For public transit, please see the instructions below:

-          Take the Union Station intercampus shuttle to Union Station

-          Purchase a metro pass (check out this website for further metro pass information - www.metro.net/)  

-          Take the Red Line (To North Hollywood) and get off at Vermont/Sunset Blvd station.  When you exit the metro station CHLA is located directly across the street on the south side of Sunset Blvd.  Cross Sunset and head left until you reach the hospital entrance located at 4650 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027

*Please allow a minimum of 30 minutes of travel time from UPC.

19.   Q: How do I get to LAC+USC Medical Center (County Hospital)?

A: LAC+USC Medical Center is located across the street from the Health Science Campus (across Zonal Avenue).  Please visit their website for a map of their facilities - http://www.lacusc.org/ContactUs/Default.aspx.

 

There is an intercampus shuttle (ICS) between UPC and HSC.  Please visit the USC Transportation website for further information and shuttle schedules – http://transnet.usc.edu/transit/routes.aspx.

*Please allow a minimum of 20-30 minutes of travel time between each campus.