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    Global Health: Investigating Outbreaks, Preventing Disease
    In-person Program

    Global Health: Investigating Outbreaks, Preventing Disease

    by USC Pre-College

    A public health summer program combining outbreak investigations, community service and a mini health study to explore how science and policy protect communities.

    Last verified: 5 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Global Health at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    High school; ninth grade completed

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 15-18

    Location / Region

    Los Angeles, California, United States

    Cost

    $8,130; $11,570; $12,208

    Duration

    4 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next session

    21 June-15 July 2027

    Save program
    MedicineInternational RelationsStatisticsSocial Sciences
    Accommodation: Shared university residence hall rooms
    Meals: Residential: three dining hall meals daily
    Certificate / Outcome: Three units of college elective credit
    Sessions / cadence: Daily, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; 5-6 instructional hours
    Tutors / faculty: USC faculty and experienced professionals
    Campus experience: Libraries, computer labs and supervised activities
    Main deliverable / output: Mini health research study

    Global Health summary

    USC's Global Health course connects disease prevention with policy, inequality and communication. It examines why health outcomes differ and how communities respond to outbreaks.

    You investigate a mock outbreak, develop public health messages and carry out a mini health study. Field trips and service work connect classroom ideas with community experience.

    It suits students curious about population health and the relationship between science and society. The emphasis extends beyond individual patient care.

    What is Global Health: Investigating Outbreaks, Preventing Disease?

    Global Health: Investigating Outbreaks, Preventing Disease is a USC Pre-College summer course focused on protecting health across communities. It combines medicine, public health, international relations and economics to examine infectious disease outbreaks and the conditions that shape health outcomes.

    The experience pairs campus classes with simulations, field trips and community service. Participants practice outbreak investigation, analyze public health messaging and conduct a mini health research study. This makes it a useful introduction to population health and its connections with policy and social justice.

    Why Succeed highlights Global Health

    • Mock outbreak investigations turn disease-prevention concepts into practical decisions.

    • The curriculum connects health science with poverty, gender inequality, climate change and human rights.

    • A mini health study gives students experience collecting and interpreting their own data.

    • Community service and public health guest speakers connect academic work with real institutions.

    • Successful completion earns college elective credit rather than participation recognition alone.

    Who is Global Health for?

    Best for

    Students who want to connect disease prevention with research, policy and social justice through practical group activities.

    Not ideal if

    Your main goal is individual patient care or clinical procedures, because the curriculum centers on population health and community prevention.

    Is Global Health worth it?

    This is worth considering if you want to test an interest in public health through investigation, communication and research. The combination of a mock outbreak, service work and a mini study gives you several concrete experiences to reflect on afterward.

    The main limitations are the substantial financial commitment and intensive daily schedule. College credit adds value, but transfer is discretionary and attendance does not guarantee USC admission. Choose it for the learning experience rather than an assumed admissions advantage.

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $8,130; $11,570; $12,208; includes Tuition for the four-week course, Textbooks, instructor-requested materials and academic field trips, On-campus social activities and off-campus recreational trips, Student Health Center access, Residential: shared residence hall room, Residential: three daily dining hall meals, Residential: academic field-trip meals and specified Saturday meals, International total: I-20 administration and required student health insurance.

    Accommodation

    Shared university residence hall rooms

    Meals

    Residential: three dining hall meals daily

    Provider details

    Review the USC Pre-College provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    4 weeks; Los Angeles, California, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does Global Health need?

    Effort level

    High, with five to six instructional hours daily.

    Best started

    Begin planning several months before the summer session, allowing time for the essay, school documents and international travel requirements.

    Main challenge

    Connecting health data with social context and communicating a clear conclusion.

    Typical preparation

    • Read an introductory explanation of disease transmission and social determinants of health.

    • Choose one global health issue you can discuss clearly in your application essay.

    • Give your recommender and school administrator several weeks to complete their requests.

    • Plan your laptop, field-trip clothing and any accessibility or visa arrangements early.

    Useful if

    You want to test whether public health research and policy interest you.

    What do students do on Global Health?

    You move from understanding global health trends to investigating outbreaks, designing messages and conducting research. Simulations, presentations, field trips and service activities connect the academic topics with practical work.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore Sustainable Development Goals, social determinants of health and a chosen country's health indicators.

    2. 2

      Practice outbreak investigation methods through a Zombie Outbreak exercise and a mock campus outbreak.

    3. 3

      Hear from LA County Department of Public Health guest speakers.

    4. 4

      Visit the Museum of Tolerance, develop an infographic and take part in a mock UN Climate Change Conference.

    5. 5

      Serve food at the Midnight Mission and design, conduct and analyze a mini health study.

    Global Health dates and deadlines

    Application deadline

    8 May 2026

    2026 domestic applicants; portal states 3:00 p.m. PST.

    Past

    Global Health: Investigating Outbreaks, Preventing Disease — 2026

    22 June-17 July 2026

    USC summer session.

    Past

    Global Health: Investigating Outbreaks, Preventing Disease — 2027

    21 June-15 July 2027

    Announced USC-wide summer schedule.

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Be a domestic or international high school student.

    • Complete at least ninth grade before the program begins.

    • Pursue a rigorous high school curriculum.

    • Attend all class meetings; late arrival is not accommodated.

    • International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through an accepted route.

    • International participants and domestic participants living abroad must live on campus.

    • Commuters live with a parent or guardian in eligible local counties.

    How much does Global Health cost?

    Program fee

    $8,130; $11,570; $12,208 — Commuter, domestic residential and international residential totals respectively.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $85 — Nonrefundable.
    • Deposit: $1,000 — Nonrefundable; applied to the program total.
    • Financial aid: Not offered
    • Visa application: $185 — Applicable international government fee.
    • SEVIS I-901: $350 — Applicable international government fee.

    What's included

    Tuition for the four-week course, Textbooks, instructor-requested materials and academic field trips, On-campus social activities and off-campus recreational trips, Student Health Center access, Residential: shared residence hall room, Residential: three daily dining hall meals, Residential: academic field-trip meals and specified Saturday meals, International total: I-20 administration and required student health insurance

    How to apply to Global Health

    1. 1

      Create an account or log in to the USC Summer Programs application portal using an email you check frequently.

    2. 2

      Select Global Health as your preferred course; you may repeat it across all three course choices.

    3. 3

      Write your own 300-500-word application essay using a portal prompt.

    4. 4

      Request an online recommendation from a teacher, counselor or mentor.

    5. 5

      Ask a school administrator to upload your PDF high school transcript through the application.

    6. 6

      Complete any required international English proficiency documentation and pay the $85 application fee.

    7. 7

      Review every application task, click Submit and monitor the portal and your email.

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    What does Global Health cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Global health trends

    Study Sustainable Development Goals, poverty and social determinants of health through presentations, scenarios and country health indicators.

    Epidemiology and outbreak investigation

    Explore disease transmission and prevention, then practice investigation methods through simulated outbreaks and public health guest speakers.

    Social justice and health behavior

    Connect human rights and health behavior theories with infographic design, public service announcements and a mock climate conference.

    Health research methods

    Design and conduct a mini health study while practicing data collection, analysis and compelling presentation of findings.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Global Health?

    A typical day during the program.

    Classes

    Five to six instructional hours, with breaks for lunch or field trips.

    Residential activities

    Supervised activities include game nights, movies, socials and field games.

    Recreational excursions

    Program trips may visit beaches, theme parks and sports events.

    Residential curfew

    Be inside your hall by 10 p.m.; lights out is 11:30 p.m.

    Who teaches on Global Health?

    USC Summer Programs courses are taught by USC faculty and experienced professionals from the university's academic community. Global Health also includes guest speakers from the LA County Department of Public Health.

    Where do students stay on Global Health?

    Residential plan

    • Residence hall rooms: Participants share rooms in university residence halls with USCard-controlled access.
    • Dining hall meal plan: Room and board includes three daily meals and specified field-trip meals.
    • Residential support: Resident advisors live in the halls and are available at all times.
    • Evenings and weekends: Supervised social activities and recreational excursions complement required classes.

    Non-residential plan

    • Local commuter option: Eligible participants live with a parent or guardian in Los Angeles or Orange County.
    • Commuter meals: Meals can be purchased at dining halls and campus retail outlets.
    • Commuter activities: Commuters may join weeknight activities with parent permission and weekend excursions.

    Roommate requests cannot be accommodated; assignments follow the gender identification submitted on applications.

    What happens after Global Health?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Earn three units of elective college credit upon successful completion.

    Complete a mini health research study and public health infographic.

    Request an official graded transcript from USC's registrar.

    Explore further study in public health, medicine or international relations.

    Build faculty connections that may lead to recommendation letters.

    Credit transfer and recommendation letters are not guaranteed; participation does not guarantee USC admission.

    Where does Global Health take place?

    The course takes place on USC's University Park Campus in Los Angeles, with academic activities including the Museum of Tolerance and Midnight Mission. Participants can access university library reading rooms, computer labs and the Student Health Center.

    International participants arrange their own travel; early arrival and late departure housing are not offered.

    Global Health FAQs

    You study public and global health, infectious disease prevention, social determinants of health, health behavior theories, health research methods and data analysis, and international relations.

    The course includes mock outbreak investigations, infographic design, a mock UN Climate Change Conference, volunteering at the Midnight Mission, and a mini health research study.

    Successful completion earns three units of elective college credit. The receiving college or university decides whether to accept those units.

    Eligible local participants can commute while living with a parent or guardian in Los Angeles or Orange County. International participants and domestic participants living abroad must reside on campus.

    Residential participants share rooms in university residence halls and receive a dining hall meal plan covering three meals daily. Resident advisors live in the halls and are available at all times.

    Bring your own laptop. Long pants and closed-toed shoes are requested for the Midnight Mission field trip.

    No. Participation can help you explore an academic interest and earn elective credit, but it does not guarantee admission to USC or its schools.

    USC Summer Programs does not offer financial aid or assistance. USC employee tuition benefits also do not apply.

    Alternatives to Global Health

    Compare these options if you want to explore medicine, medical research or broader social and political questions.

    Alternatives to Global Health

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

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    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Summer Programs Application Management
    • USC Summer Programs Transcripts | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs Policies | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs FAQs | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs International Application | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Residential and Commuter Experience | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs Overview | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs Application and Admission | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs | USC Pre-College
    • Global Health Summer Program | USC Pre-College

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 5 Oct 2026)

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    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.