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    Lifespan Development: Critical Questions for Aging and the Lifespan
    Online Program

    Lifespan Development: Critical Questions for Aging and the Lifespan

    by USC Pre-College

    A self-paced gerontology course exploring aging through psychology, sociology and biology, with recorded teaching, practical assignments and a USC Certificate of Completion.

    Last verified: 5 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Lifespan Development Critical Questions at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Closing soon

    Eligibility

    High school or secondary students

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14+

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $1,990

    Duration

    4 weeks

    Format

    Online

    Next application deadline

    7 October 2026

    Save deadline
    PsychologyBiologySocial Sciences
    Sessions / cadence: 5 self-paced modules; 20–25 total hours
    Mentor model: USC Mentor for content questions
    Assessment style: 5 knowledge checks; 70% pass threshold
    Certificate: Non-credit USC Certificate of Completion
    Time-zone / scheduling model: Study on your own schedule
    Course access: 90 days
    Featured instructor: Paul Nash, USC gerontology professor

    Lifespan Development Critical Questions summary

    USC Pre-College introduces gerontology through practical questions about aging, caregiving and the role of older people in society.

    You study recorded teaching, readings and assignments independently, then complete module knowledge checks. It suits students who want to connect psychology and biology with social policy and real-world care.

    What is Lifespan Development: Critical Questions for Aging and the Lifespan?

    Lifespan Development: Critical Questions for Aging and the Lifespan is a USC Pre-College course about aging as a lifelong process. It combines gerontology with psychology, sociology and biology to examine how people and societies change across life. Practical topics include dementia, caregiving, ageism, nutrition and social isolation.

    The course organizes learning around five critical questions and draws on recorded lectures, industry interviews, expert panels and audiovisual resources. Students complete readings and assignments independently, with a USC Mentor available for clarifying questions. Featured instructor Paul Nash connects the subject with applied research and emerging career areas.

    Why Succeed highlights Lifespan Development Critical Questions

    • The course treats aging as a lifelong process, linking scientific concepts with everyday questions about care and society.

    • Its learning outcomes explicitly develop the ability to distinguish research from opinion.

    • Paul Nash brings gerontology teaching and research experience, including work on ageism with the World Health Organization.

    • Self-paced study and repeatable knowledge checks give students room to revisit difficult concepts.

    Who is Lifespan Development Critical Questions for?

    Best for

    Students curious about psychology, biology, caregiving or social policy who can manage independent study and want to explore gerontology before choosing a college subject.

    Not ideal if

    You want college credit, an in-person campus experience or a timetable built around live classes.

    Is Lifespan Development Critical Questions worth it?

    The strongest reason to choose this course is its applied, interdisciplinary approach to aging. It can help you test whether gerontology interests you and develop a more evidence-based understanding of caregiving, ageism and policy.

    The tuition is a substantial investment for a self-paced, non-credit course, so its value depends on how actively you engage with the material. Treat the certificate as a record of learning rather than an admissions advantage. Students seeking college credit or a campus experience should compare other formats.

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    Founder, Succeed

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $1,990; includes Access to the chosen online course and materials for up to three months., Recorded lectures, readings and assignments., Industry interviews, expert panels and audiovisual resources., USC Mentor support for clarifying course questions., Certificate of Completion after meeting course requirements., Course transcript upon request..

    Dates and time commitment

    4 weeks; 5 self-paced modules; 20–25 total hours.

    Provider details

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

    What the student gains

    Potential output: The main credential is a USC Certificate of Completion earned by meeting all course requirements.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    Featured faculty member Paul Nash is an instructional professor at USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. Students can contact a USC Mentor with clarifying questions about course content.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate 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 Lifespan Development Critical Questions need?

    Effort level

    Moderate, with approximately 20–25 hours of independent coursework.

    Best started

    Begin two to three weeks before your chosen intake to prepare the essay and allow three to five business days for an admission decision.

    Main challenge

    Maintaining a study routine without scheduled live classes.

    Typical preparation

    • Draft a short explanation of why gerontology interests you.

    • Gather your contact details and those of your parent or guardian.

    • Set aside regular study time across the expected four-week completion period.

    • Review the academic-integrity rules and Letter of Understanding before starting.

    Useful if

    You want to connect scientific research with practical questions about aging.

    What do students do on Lifespan Development Critical Questions?

    You work independently through five modules organized around critical questions about aging. Recorded teaching, readings and assignments connect gerontology research with practical issues such as caregiving, ageism and social policy.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Review each module's recorded lectures and supporting resources.

    2. 2

      Complete the readings and required assignments.

    3. 3

      Ask a USC Mentor for clarification when course concepts are unclear.

    4. 4

      Take each module's multiple-choice knowledge check and retake it if needed.

    5. 5

      Complete all requirements to receive your certificate and request a transcript.

    Lifespan Development Critical Questions dates and deadlines

    September intake 1 application deadline

    9 September 2026

    Past

    September intake 2 application deadline

    23 September 2026

    Past

    October intake 2 application deadline

    21 October 2026

    Upcoming

    November intake 1 application deadline

    4 November 2026

    Upcoming

    November intake 2 application deadline

    18 November 2026

    Upcoming

    December intake 1 application deadline

    2 December 2026

    Upcoming

    December intake 2 application deadline

    16 December 2026

    Upcoming

    September intake 1

    14 September 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 14 September 2026.

    Past

    September intake 2

    28 September 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 28 September 2026.

    Past

    October intake 1

    12 October 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 12 October 2026.

    Upcoming

    October intake 2

    26 October 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 26 October 2026.

    Upcoming

    November intake 1

    9 November 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 9 November 2026.

    Upcoming

    November intake 2

    23 November 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 23 November 2026.

    Upcoming

    December intake 1

    7 December 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 7 December 2026.

    Upcoming

    December intake 2

    21 December 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 21 December 2026.

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Applicants must be at least 14 years old.

    • Applicants must be enrolled in high school or secondary education.

    • Domestic and international applicants may apply.

    • International applicants must be proficient in English.

    • Graduates, gap-year students and older applicants can request an exemption.

    • Exemption requests require an interest statement of up to 200 words.

    How much does Lifespan Development Critical Questions cost?

    Course tuition

    $1,990 — Includes course and materials access for up to three months.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $35 — Nonrefundable.

    What's included

    Access to the chosen online course and materials for up to three months., Recorded lectures, readings and assignments., Industry interviews, expert panels and audiovisual resources., USC Mentor support for clarifying course questions., Certificate of Completion after meeting course requirements., Course transcript upon request.

    How to apply to Lifespan Development Critical Questions

    1. 1

      Create an account or log in through the USC Online Application portal.

    2. 2

      Choose the course and your preferred intake.

    3. 3

      Provide contact information for yourself and your parent or guardian.

    4. 4

      Write a short-answer essay about yourself and why you want to study the course.

    5. 5

      Optionally upload writing, video or social media content that reveals something about you.

    6. 6

      Submit the application and pay the $35 application fee.

    7. 7

      After admission, pay tuition by your selected intake's application and tuition deadline.

    8. 8

      Sign the Letter of Understanding before the course begins, with a parent or guardian signature if you are a minor.

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    Learning format

    The course contains five self-paced modules with approximately 20–25 hours of recorded lectures, readings and assignments, completed independently on USC's online learning platform. Students are expected to finish in four weeks but have up to 90 days of access, allowing study to fit around other commitments.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Featured instructor Paul Nash teaches at USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.

    • His research experience includes work on ageism with the World Health Organization.

    • A USC Mentor can answer clarifying questions about course content.

    • The online platform includes chat features and messages from mentors and staff.

    Time-zone considerations

    • Recorded teaching and assignments are completed at your own pace.
    • Plan for approximately 20–25 total hours of independent coursework.
    • The expected completion period is four weeks, with 90 days of access.
    • Domestic and international applicants use the same online application.

    Tech requirements

    • Use a computer, tablet or phone.

    • Have an internet connection.

    • Access the course through a web browser.

    • Use USC's online platform for content, assignments and messages.

    Assessment style

    Assessment combines required assignments with a multiple-choice knowledge check at the end of each module.

    • Complete all five content modules.
    • Take five module knowledge checks.
    • Score at least 70 percent on every knowledge check.
    • Retake knowledge checks as many times as needed.
    • Complete all required coursework to qualify for the certificate.

    Portfolio / outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    The main credential is a USC Certificate of Completion earned by meeting all course requirements.

    • A USC Pre-College Programs course transcript is available upon request.

    • Completed course assignments document your work with the subject.

    Lifespan Development Critical Questions FAQs

    You explore aging through gerontology, psychology, sociology and biology. Topics include caregiving, dementia, ageism, nutrition, social isolation, social policy and financial planning.

    The course involves approximately 20–25 hours of recorded lectures, readings and assignments. Students are expected to finish in four weeks, with up to 90 days of access.

    Course materials and assignments are completed independently at your own pace. Teaching includes recorded lectures, industry interviews, expert panels and audiovisual resources.

    Complete all five modules and required coursework, and score at least 70 percent on each module's knowledge check. Knowledge checks can be retaken as often as needed.

    This is a non-credit-bearing certificate course. Qualifying students receive a USC Certificate of Completion and can request a USC Pre-College Programs transcript.

    Featured faculty member Paul Nash is an instructional professor at USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. Students can contact a USC Mentor with clarifying questions about course content.

    You can access the course using a computer, tablet or phone with internet access and a web browser. USC's online platform provides course content, assignments, chat features and messages.

    USC says participation does not guarantee admission or special preference. The certificate can document your academic interest on your resume and college applications.

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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.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • USC Online Application Management
    • USC Pre-College Online FAQs | USC Pre-College
    • USC Online Exploration Courses Policies | USC Pre-College
    • Online Lifespan Development Course | USC Pre-College
    • Online Lifespan Development Course | 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)

    • Course structure reviewed

    • Intake deadlines checked

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Tuition and fees checked

    • Certificate requirements reviewed

    • Refund terms reviewed

    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.