Ph.D. in Aging Studies
Program Requirements
There are 4 core courses, 2 Methods courses, and a Proseminar/Graduate Seminar Series that constitute the interdisciplinary requirements for the program. The requirements are enrollment in:
- GEY 7604 Biomedical Aging (3)
- GEY 7649 Population Aging (3)
- GEY 7610 Psychological Issues of Aging: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (3)
- GEY 7623 Social and Health Issues in Aging(3)
Each core course is taught from an interdisciplinary perspective with faculty from different fields addressing issues from their disciplinary perspectives. Students must also enroll in GEY 6402 Statistical and Qualitative Methods in Aging Research (3) and GEY 6403 Multivariate Analysis for Aging Research (3) during their first year to satisfy the 2 research method course requirement.
Students are required to enroll in the Aging Studies Proseminar or Graduate Seminar for 2 years. The Seminars investigate different topics each semester and are led by faculty from different disciplines as well as guest speakers. Proseminar includes presentations and in-depth discussions with nationally prominent researchers that are brought to USF as part of the USF Collaborative on Aging Distinguished Lecture Series. Students also present their own research projects, discuss current research, and career development.
Advising
On admission to the program, students are assigned to an interim advisor, and eventually choose their primary advisor, who serves as a mentor. Students and the primary advisor select an advisory committee, which guides selection of courses and research experience. Students develop individualized courses of study, allowing specialization in a wide variety of content areas and research methods. Supervised research experience is available from a number of faculty with diverse research expertise.