Elahe Nezami, PhD, Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, University of Southern California, 3375 South Hoover Street, University Village, E210, Los Angeles, CA 90089, 213-821-1600, nezami@usc.edu

The Bachelor of Science program in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies (HP) at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California was created in 1997. 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. The curriculum consists of foundational courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, psychology, and health policy; required departmental courses in health behavior, statistical analysis, and research design; electives in a variety of areas related to health promotion and disease prevention and public health; and a required internship or research project. The HP program also sponsors five minors for students from a variety of disciplines who have interests in public health: Public Health, Health Communication, Substance Abuse Prevention, Nutrition and Health Promotion, and Cultural Competence in Medicine. Future plans for the program include the design and implementation of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies for students who plan on using their background in public health as a stepping stone to other fields, such as law, journalism, or education, as well as a minor program in International Health.

Learning Objectives:

Learning Objectives
• Understand the forces at work encouraging the growth of undergraduate degree programs.
• Understand the spectrum of philosophies and goals underlying undergraduate programs offered in Universities without Schools of Public Health
• Understand the differences in administrative structured for offering undergraduate degree programs and the implications of these administrative differences
• Understand the issues and options for quality assurance including accreditation

Keywords: Education,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am a faculty member at the University of Southern California and I will be discussing a Bachelor of Science program offered at this University.