In March, the USC Iovine and Young Academy announced that it is now accepting applications for its first graduate program, Design@USC, an online Master of Science in Integrated Design, Business and Technology. 

"This program is designed to address the changing needs of graduates and professionals, and the dramatically changing landscape in the fields and disciplines in which they work," said Erica Muhl, dean of the USC Roski School of Art and Design and founding executive director of the USC Iovine and Young Academy for Arts, Technology, and the Business of Innovation. "At its core is a unique blend of disciplines that represent 'new literacies' for the 21st century, and an educational experience that will take students beyond the boundaries of a single field, and into a powerful space where the application of design principles serve as a universal framework for high-level problem solving." 

The integrative cross-disciplinary degree program offers coursework designed by a collaborative team of world-class faculty drawn from the USC Iovine and Young Academy, the USC Roski School of Art and Design, the USC Marshall School of Business, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, and other USC schools and academic programs. Instructors will work with and guide teams focused on developing solutions to complex design, business and technological challenges. Students will learn to identify opportunities, generate new ideas, and complete individual and collaborative projects that reflect diverse perspectives. 

The program is designed for students and professionals who may be established in technical, business, artistic or other fields, but can benefit from a deeper understanding of the unique possibilities found where disciplines intersect. The program will create leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to shape and build today's evolving creative economy. 

The new degree requires 38 credits and can be completed within 18 to 24 months. The curriculum includes a combination of core courses that blend multiple disciplinary topics and approaches; design, business and technology essentials; residential studio sessions; integrative projects and a capstone project. Design@USC students will: 

 Participate in residential studio sessions, including one on the USC campus at the Academy's Garage, a state-of-the-art incubator/accelerator that fosters creativity and encourages collaboration. Beginning in Summer 2019, students will work in the Academy's new maker spaces, design and media studios, and innovation labs located in the Academy's beautiful new home, Iovine and Young (IY) Hall. Every aspect of IY Hall is geared toward supporting advanced design, ideating and making. During these on-the-ground sessions, students work closely with faculty and leading industry mentors to see their ideas come to life. 

Through integrative projects, apply creative problem-solving to take ideas from concept to completion. Students also learn to market and position their ideas for success, from attracting talent to executing solutions within groups, to early-, middle- and late-stage prototyping, to funding and development. 

Through directed research, craft a customized, advanced portfolio that aligns with personal interests and strengths. 

Complete their degree with an applied, capstone project in which students consolidate and refine their best work, and bring to fruition a plan for the future. 

The first application deadline is July 10, 2017, with additional applications accepted on a rolling basis. Classes begin August 2017. 

USC Iovine and Young Academy Launches New Online Master of Science