From business to life sciences, our goal is to make sure that high school students are given access to USC’s renowned education while providing an opportunity to explore their academic interests and passions.

Non-credit

Online, flexible schedule

Online

Accepts International Students

Financial Aid

ANALYTICS: THE POWER OF DATA FOR BUSINESSES
In a world where we are inundated by data, how do we make sense of these large swaths of information? “Analytics: The Power of Data for Businesses” will lead you on a journey of discovery through cutting-edge trends in data analysis today. You’ll learn how to leverage data to unlock insights that can be used to solve real world problems in business and beyond.

BUILDING BLOCKS OF BUSINESS: TOOLS FOR CREATING A DYNAMIC AND SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
Are you a high school student looking to get a head start on your business skills? If so, you should enroll in USC Marshall’s online certificate course, “Building Blocks of Business: Tools for Creating a Dynamic and Sustainable Business.” This course explores various elements of business – including topics such as accounting, marketing, leadership, and finance, by looking at real businesses, and hearing from industry experts as well as USC Marshall instructors.

INTRODUCTION TO CYBERSECURITY: FROM SECURING SYSTEMS TO ETHICAL HACKING
Upon hearing the word cybersecurity, people either envision a hacker in a dark room with a screen full of text, or the latest notice that their information has been compromised. Is that cybersecurity? Yes! However, that’s only part of it. Cybersecurity is defined by the US Government as the art of protecting networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access or criminal use and the practice of ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.
Students will come to understand cybersecurity from the perspective of the security experts, companies, government, individuals, and yes even hacker.

DIGITAL MARKETING: FROM CONTENT CREATION TO STRATEGIC PLANNING
When you hear “digital marketing,” do you immediately think of social media? Of course social media plays an important role in digital marketing, but there’s so much more to this fast-growing field. Enroll in USC’s Pre-College Online certificate course, “Digital Marketing: From Content Creation to Strategic Planning,” to gain a deeper understanding of the tools, techniques, and strategies used by leading companies and expert digital marketers today.

DIRECTING: CREATING YOUR SHORT FILM
Interested in learning how to direct a professional-looking film without a big-scale budget? Enroll in “Directing: Creating Your Short Film,” to hone your filmmaking skills and build your portfolio as you learn from industry veteran and USC alum Sanford Bookstaver, the director and producer of hit TV shows and movies, including Dexter: New Blood, House MD, Power, Chicago Fire, and many others. In this course, you’ll be guided through the complete production process as you pick-up tricks-of-the-trade to bring your cinematic vision to the screen.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES: SUSTAINABILITY AND YOUR WORLD
Are you passionate about the environment and want to better understand the major challenges facing our planet? Enroll in USC’s Pre-College Online certificate course, “Environmental Studies: Sustainability and Your World.” By thinking more critically about protecting the Earth’s biodiversity, this course provides a strong foundation for pursuing a future in conservation, activism, and the science of climate change.

FINANCE: FROM PERSONAL LITERACY TO GLOBAL MARKETS
As the saying goes, “Time is money!” It’s never too early to become financially literate. USC’s Pre-College Online certificate course, “Finance: From Personal Literacy to Global Markets,” offers a deep dive into the fundamental concepts of finance. From personal finance to the corporate and global markets, this course will equip you to better understand your own finances, while also exploring possible careers in the finance industry.

LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT: CRITICAL QUESTIONS FOR AGING AND THE LIFESPAN
The course is designed to address real world questions about aging and the natural progression of life, taking answers from diverse subjects in the field of gerontology and providing applied contexts. Theoretical models will be utilized to explore lifespan opportunities and encourage debate, challenging preconceptions about aging societies. The course will have a central theme of application and employability, demonstrating the application of knowledge and the pathways to employment after education.

MEDIA AND SOCIAL CHANGE: BECOMING A CHANGE AGENT FOR A BETTER WORLD
From climate change to gun violence, the constant deluge of “bad news” that we consume on a daily basis can make us feel resigned, upset, and hopeless about the world. Although we may want to silence our phones, the media can be a powerful tool for standing up against these pressing issues.
In this course, we will explore a range of media that calls for change and assess various successful strategies and tactics used by movements, organizations, and individuals to change the status quo.
By the end of the course, you’ll gain a better understanding of how social change operates as well as the important role media can play in the process. You’ll also learn how you can use your voice and media presence to address the issues that you and your peers care about.

POLITICAL SCIENCE: IMPACT, ACTIVISM AND YOUR CAREER
From building a career as a political operative in D.C. to launching a local nonprofit to fight for climate change, there are many paths that you can pursue for a future in politics and public service. Enroll in USC’s Pre-College Online certificate course, “Political Science: Impact, Activism and Your Career” to gain a realistic view of the many opportunities in politics and prepare for a future where you can have a real impact on your community.

SCREENWRITING: FROM IDEATION TO WRITING YOUR FIRST SCRIPT
Are you an aspiring screenwriter ready to take the next step with your craft? Enroll in “Screenwriting: From Ideation to Writing Your First Script,” to learn from industry veteran and USC alum Gabe Sachs, a writer on many hit TV shows and movies, including Freaks & Geeks, Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, and many others. In this course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of storytelling as you get inspired to draft your own script for a short film.

Upon completion, you’ll earn a certificate of completion, add to your college applications, make new friends and peers from around the world, and gain a better understanding of who you want to become during your college experience.

Session 1

Aug 07 - Sep 03

4 weeks

Online

1990 USD

Session 2

Sep 11 - Oct 08

4 weeks

Online

1990 USD

Session 3

Oct 16 - Nov 12

4 weeks

Online

1990 USD

Session 4

Nov 20 - Dec 17

4 weeks

Online

1990 USD

Session 5

Dec 18 - Jan 14

4 weeks

Online

1990 USD

When you submit your application, you will be asked to submit a $35 application fee. When you submit your application payment be sure and write your first and last Name in the space provided.
The tuition cost is $1990 per course, in addition to a $35 application fee.
Students who have paid their tuition in full will receive an email with instructions on how to access the Online Exploration courses. We require students to be paid in full at least three (3) business days prior to the start of the course.

Financial Aid

USC Pre-College Programs is proud to honor full scholarships for our Online Exploration Courses to students enrolled in the summer session of the USC Leslie and William Morrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative (USC NAI). Qualified and interested students who are enrolled in grades 9-12 can send an email for application and enrollment instructions to [email protected].