About
It takes more than an advanced degree to succeed in today’s increasingly competitive job market. In addition to offering USC Dornsife Ph.D. students a broad and deep training in both disciplinary and interdisciplinary fields, the Dornsife Ph.D. Academy provides training in leadership principles, financial management, public speaking, communication, and other cross-cutting skills.
Beginning in their first year of graduate school, Ph.D. students across USC Dornsife will participate together as a cohort across a wide variety of fields in activities designed to prepare them for their future careers – inside or outside of the academy. After completing the five-year program, Dornsife doctoral students will have a unique set of skills and training, in addition to their deep disciplinary expertise that will set them apart from those graduating from other universities.
Ph.D. Academy Mission
To prepare Dornsife Ph.D. students to:
- excel at graduate education;
- stand out among their peers; and
- become leaders in their chosen professions
Curriculum
The Ph.D. Academy curriculum focuses on 5 themes to set up students for success throughout their doctoral program. The curriculum focuses on a different theme for each year of their program.
Program Exploration
Find resources in the Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences.
Skill Development
Explore resources to develop soft and hard skills that will allow you to be successful during your doctoral program and in your career.
Career Options
Discover different academic career options and 100+ career paths beyond academia.
Ph.D. Academy Events
The Ph.D. Academy hosts academic success, professional development, and social events throughout the year, exclusive to Ph.D. Academy students!
USC Resources
USC provides many resources for students, ranging from financial assistance to mental health support. Discover what the university has to offer.
Stay Connected!
The academic job market can be tough. The Dornsife Ph.D. Academy can help by cultivating practical skills that complement students’ disciplinary training in their Ph.D. programs. Learn more in the video below: dornsife.usc.edu/phd-academy/
Dornsife Ph.D. Academy hosted “Conferences as a Ph.D. Student: Advice from Faculty and Senior Grad Students” with professors Emily Anderson and Derrick Morton, and Ph.D Candidate Demetrius Murphy! #USC #PhD #PhDAcademy #USCDornsife #Conferences #Networking
Ph.D. Academy Scholarship and Research Fund
The Dornsife Ph.D. Academy is excited to offer the 2023 Ph.D. Academy Scholarship and Research Fund. Dornsife Ph.D. Students who attend the requisite number of our events are eligible to apply for up to $500 in funding. The scholarship aims to support their professional development and scholarship needs.
As a reminder, the scholarship deadline is this upcoming April 28 by 5pm!
Learn more and apply on our website! Link in Bio.
#PhDAcademy #Funding #Scholarship #Research #PhD #ResearchFund
Learning from Good and Bad Leadership with Dean Miller
The Dornsife Ph.D. Academy hosted “Learning From Good and Bad Leadership” with Dean Amber Miller for first-year Ph.D. students. After sharing her own experiences with different mentors as a graduate student, she conducted a workshop which encouraged students to reflect on their own experiences with their mentors and advisors.
#USCPhDAcademy #GraduateStudents #PhD #ProfessionalDevelopment #USCDornsife #PhDLife #Leadership #Mentor
Ph.D. Academy Coffee Social
We hope to see you this Thursday for the Dornsife Ph.D. Academy Coffee Social! Please drop in anytime from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Join the Dornsife Ph.D. Academy for a Coffee and Tea Social – Open to ALL Dornsife Ph.D. Students! Grab a cup and some pastries, mingle with your peers and ask us any questions about our funding opportunities and certificate.
Welcome to USC!
Welcome to USC! The Dornsife Ph.D. Academy welcomes the new Ph.D. student cohort. It was wonderful seeing students at our welcome dinner with Dean Miller, Dean Finkel, and a panel of senior graduate students on Thursday. We are excited to share our events this academic year which are aimed to provide skill development for Dornsife Ph.D. students during each year of their program and find post-graduation success.
We’d like to give special thanks to our amazing senior graduate student panelists who shared their insights and advice on how they navigated their first year as Ph.D. students.
We look forward to seeing you soon. Fight on!
Contact Us
Dornsife Ph.D. Academy
Open 9:00am-5:00pm
3551 Trousdale Parkway, ADM 304
Los Angeles, CA 90089-4012