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Lifespan Development: Critical Questions for Aging and the Lifespan
Learn on your own time and earn a Certificate of Completion.
Program Overview
In this course, we’ll think critically about aging and learn to think about it as a lifelong process, rather than something that only happens later in life.
Students will get a broad overview of the discipline of gerontology, followed by an exploration of important questions like “what can I expect as I age?” and “do older people have a role in society?” We’ll also consider caregiving and explore common misconceptions about the aging process.
Students will come away with a stronger understanding of what it means to age — and how to build a better future.
Key Information
Featured Topics
- Gerontology
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Demography
- Biology
- Social policy
- Nutrition
- Dementia
- Caregiving
- Pension and financial planning
- Physiological changes in retirement
- Ageism
- Loneliness and social isolation
- Aging society and end-of-life care
Learning Outcomes
- Relate the core biological, psychological and sociological approaches within gerontology to applied lifespan contexts
- Develop critical and analytical skills, evidencing the ability to distinguish between research and opinion
- Identify application of gerontology within new and emerging career areas, demonstrating the understanding of aging as a central tenet across sectors
- Cultivate an appreciation of research, the fundamentals of conducting research and the importance of evidence-based policy
Format and Course Length
- This course is structured around five critical questions, addressing the current applied areas of research within gerontology. Each of the topics comprises specialized areas where students will be exposed to lecture-style content, industry interviews, expert panels and audiovisual resources.
- Combined coursework of recorded lectures, readings and assignments is approximately 20–25 hours, to be completed at the student’s own pace.
- Students are expected to complete the course in four weeks but have 90 days of access if more time is needed.
Featured Faculty
In this course, you’ll learn from Paul Nash, an instructional professor of gerontology at USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.
Paul gained his PhD in psychology from the University of Glamorgan while working as a researcher at Swansea University in the Centre for Innovative Aging. He has coordinated national research projects in Wales, working across sectors with private organizations, the public sector and older people to create publications and reports to influence government policy. Nash has held several leadership positions in the U.K., including being the Honorary Secretary for the British Society of Gerontology and Chair of Trustees for Age Cymru Swansea Bay. Informing his teaching practice is the commitment to research, epitomized by his work on ageism with the World Health Organization. Nash is actively pursuing research on interventions to address both implicit and explicit ageist prejudice, as well as continually developing challenging curriculum to reflect the dynamic nature of the field.
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Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Applicants who submit a completed application can expect an admission decision within three to five business days.
- Include basic contact information from you and your parent(s) or guardian.
- Tell us why you want to take the course and a little about yourself through a short-answer essay.
- Share a piece of writing, video or social media content that reveals something about yourself (optional).
- Submit the $35 application fee.
- Students must be at least 14 years old or older and enrolled in a high school or secondary program.
Recent high school graduates, students taking a gap year or time off from college, and students who are older than 18 can request an exemption to apply by emailing precollegeonline@usc.edu. Please include a short paragraph (no more than 200 words) stating your interest and how this program will add value to your academic or career plans.
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In addition to the requirements listed above, international applicants are expected to be proficient in English. International students who successfully complete an online course will receive a digital Certificate of Completion and, by request, a USC Pre-College Programs transcript at no additional cost.
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Program Start Date Application and Tuition Deadline Monday, November 10, 2025 Wednesday, November 5, 2025 Monday, November 24, 2025 Wednesday, November 19, 2025 Monday, December 8, 2025 Wednesday, December 3, 2025 Monday, December 22, 2025 Wednesday, December 17, 2025 Monday, January 5, 2026 Wednesday, December 31, 2025 Monday, January 19, 2026 Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Monday, February 2, 2026 Wednesday, January 28, 2026 Monday, February 16, 2026 Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Monday, March 2, 2026 Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Monday, March 16, 2026 Wednesday, March 11, 2026 Monday, March 30, 2026 Wednesday, March 25, 2026 Monday, April 13, 2026 Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Monday, April 27, 2026 Wednesday, April 22, 2026 Monday, May 11, 2026 Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Monday, May 25, 2026 Wednesday, May 20, 2026 Monday, June 8, 2026 Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Monday, June 22, 2026 Wednesday, June 17, 2026 Monday, July 6, 2026 Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Monday, July 20, 2026 Wednesday, July 15, 2026 -
Application fee: $35
Tuition: $1,990
Tuition and fees cover access to the chosen online course and materials for up to three months after your chosen start date.
Please note that application fees are nonrefundable. All course cancellations requests must be made in writing to precollegeonline@usc.edu. Any tuition paid to the university will be refunded, not including fees, if requested no more than three days past the course start date. Requests to drop the course more than three days after the start date will not be eligible for a refund.
The university will not refund tuition for USC Pre-College online exploration courses for students who are removed from the program due to a violation of our Letter of Understanding for Online Participation and our Student Code of Conduct.
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