Schedule a Virtual MSIDBT Program and Application Information Session

Schedule an In-Person Tour of the Academy + Info Session (9/3 - 12/5)

USC and the Academy have several virtual and on campus events for prospective students throughout the year. For dates and more information, please visit the following pages:

RSVP for the Strategic Ideation Microsession

Virtual Learning Microsessions for Prospective Applicants


Strategic Ideation: How to Increase the Probability of Success When Pursuing New Products with Chris Swain

Thursday, December 11 | 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM PT

This session will provide frameworks and an interactive exercise to help students interested in creating new products to increase their probability of success.

RSVP for the Disruptive Validation Microsession

Disruptive Validation: How to know if you have a winning business idea with Thomas Dadourian

Tuesday, December 16 | 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM PT

Every founder needs to validate ideas, attract customers, and drive revenue—and one of the fastest, most cost-effective ways to do that is through social media. This micro-session will show how to leverage social platforms as a business engine: building brand awareness, generating traffic, and turning engagement into measurable growth.

Q&A with Faculty

Q&A with Alumni

We welcome you to take advantage of our live events, but if you can't find something that fits your needs or schedule, please feel free to peruse the following Q&A recordings with Academy alumni and faculty.

Recordings

While domestic students may take any combination of online and in-person courses, students enjoy priority registration for courses that are offered in the modality of their program.

What is the difference between the on-campus and the online MSIDBT programs?

While PDP students are enrolled in the on-campus program, they may elect to take online courses as well: domestic students have no restrictions and may opt to take all of their courses online, international students can only take a limited number of online courses and units. All PDP students enjoy priority registration for in-person courses.

What is the difference between the standard on-campus and the online MSIDBT programs, for PDP students?

Domestic students can be part-time, i.e. take less than 8 units of 400- or 500-level coursework per term. Please note that to be eligible for Federal Financial Aid, you need to enroll in at least 4 units (50% of full-time enrollment) each term.

For domestic students persuing the Progressive Degree Program, students can be part-time after their status changes to graduate student.

Internationals must be full-time students during fall and spring semesters in order to maintain their visa status, i.e. take at least 8 units (out of which a minimum of 5 units must come from in-person courses). Enrollment in summer courses is optional.

Tuition currently costs $2,467 per unit per term. The cost of tuition is determined by USC’s central administration and is published on the USC Schedule of Classes for each term. A few courses may require additional fees.

MSIDBT students are required to complete 38 units to graduate.

Progressive MSIDBT students are required to complete 26 units to graduate, which is equivalent to a 32% unit reduction compared to the standard MSIDBT program.

USC Financial Aid: available to US citizens and selected non-citizens; please contact the USC Financial Aid Office for more information.

USC On-Campus Jobs for Students: https://careers.usc.edu/on-campus-jobs/ 

International students: https://ois.usc.edu/employment/employment-f1/f1oncampusemployment/

MSIDBT Program-Specific Merit Scholarships: All applicants to our graduate programs are automatically considered for our merit scholarships; the number and amount of scholarship awarded vary each year (we welcome new cohorts in the fall semester only). As an example, for AY 2025-2026, a selected number of applicants received a $10,000 scholarship ($5,000 in the fall, and $5,000 in the spring) to help cover tuition expenses; renewable for their second year in the program depending on their academic performance.

Merit scholarships are awarded based on exceptional academic or professional achievements or promise.

MSIDBT Program-Specific Student Job Opportunities: grad students may be eligible to apply for part-time hourly jobs in the following areas:

Course Assistant for undergraduate- and graduate-level courses

Demand for student workers varies and is usually determined a few weeks before or around the beginning of the semester.

Our department does not offer graduate assistantships or full-time positions for students.

Are there scholarships or other financial assistance available?

Yes, the Academy supports an unlimited number of veterans with up to $10,000 each/year, matched by the VA dollar for dollar, adding up to $20,000 in tuition support topping off the coverage by the Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33). For eligibility information, please consult the following page: Yellow Ribbon - Office of Academic Records and Registrar.

Do you have Yellow Ribbon (Student-Veteran) funds available?

Generally, we do not recommend taking more than 12-14 graduate units per term; some students may be able to complete the program within three terms (e.g. fall, spring, and summer, or fall, spring, fall).

USC does not permit graduate students to enroll in more than 16 units. Students wishing to carry more than 16 units must have prior permission from the Academy’s academic leadership; such permission will be granted only in exceptional circumstances.

How fast can I finish the program? What is the maximum number of course units I may take? 

USC requires domestic graduate students to complete their master’s program within 5 years. Approved leaves of absences (up to a total of two years or four semesters) are not counted in the time allowed for completion of degree requirements.

Academic programs may grant an extension of one semester at a time, up to a maximum of two years. In unusual cases, the Graduate School may be petitioned for further extensions.

International students on F-1 visas are required to complete the program within 2 years. Their official program end date is stated on page one of their I-20 document. Students who are unable to meet the academic program requirements by the program end date must apply for a Program Extension before their program end date.

USC requires Progressive Degree Program students to complete their bachelor's and master's programs within 6 years, counting from their first semester in college. 

International students on F-1 visas must always coordinate with OIS regarding the length of their academic programs and the immigration policies they are required to follow.

How long do I have to finish the program?

For frequently asked questions regarding program information, international applicants, eligibility, application process, and admitted applicants, please refer to the following sections below.

Yes, it is. Importantly, only the on-campus MSIDBT program, including the PDP, is F-1 visa eligible. International students admitted into the online program cannot apply for a U.S. visa.

Both the on-campus and the online M.S. in Integrated Design, Business and Technology (as well as our bachelor’s programs) are STEM-designated by the Department of Homeland Security. International students enrolled in these programs are not only eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training—temporary employment directly related to F-1 students’ main area of study—but also to apply for the STEM OPT Extension: a 24-month extension of their post-degree-completion OPT employment authorization.

The CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) code for the MS-IDBT program is: CIP Code: 15.1599 Engineering-related fields, other (see here).

Is the M.S. in Integrated Design, Business and Technology a STEM program?

Yes, our on-campus MSIDBT program is OPT-eligible as well as STEM OPT Extension-eligible. Please note that the online MSDBT program is not visa-eligible.

Our M.S. in Integrated Design, Business and Technology (as well as our bachelor’s programs) are STEM-designated by the Department of Home Security. International students enrolled in our on-campus programs are not only eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training—temporary employment directly related to F-1 students’ main area of study—but also to apply for the STEM OPT Extension: a 24-month extension of their post-degree-completion OPT employment authorization.

International students are also eligible to pursue CPT while enrolled in a unit-bearing internship course (ACAD 419 or IDSN 519).

As an international student, can I do CPT and OPT?

Generally, applicants must have a bachelor's degree to be eligible for a master’s program. We may grant exceptions. 

Am I eligible to apply for either the in-person or online MSIDBT program? 

Only current USC undergraduate students are eligible to apply if they have completed at least 64 units of coursework excluding AP, IB, and transfer units earned prior to graduation from high school and have a minimum 3.0 cumulative USC GPA at the time of application (more details here).  

We welcome Progressive Degree Program (PDP) applications from all USC majors. There are no pre-requisite courses.

Am I eligible to apply for the Progressive MSIDBT program? 

Academic or professional experience in these areas is valuable but not required. Admitted applicants come from a wide variety of academic and professional backgrounds and this diversity of student knowledge and experience is critical in driving the collaborative challenge-based curriculum in which solutions are drawn from the full range of disciplines.

Do I need specific experience in design, business, or technology to be eligible to apply?   

No, an individual may apply to either one or the other program during the same application cycle. If admitted, a student may request to switch from one program to the other.

Can I apply to both the on-campus and the online MSIDBT programs? 

Applications for Fall 2026 open on September 1, 2025.

Priority Application Deadline - January 5, 2026 (end of day, Pacific Time): Submit your application by the priority application deadline for an earlier admission decision.

Final Submission Deadline - March 2, 2026 (end of day, Pacific Time): Applicants must submit by the final submission deadline to be considered for fall 2026 admission.

Progressive Degree Program (current USC undergraduates only)

Applications for Fall 2026 will open on September 1, 2025.

Submission deadline for seniors: January 5, 2026 (end of day, Pacific Time)

Final submission deadline for all other progressive degree applicants: June 1, 2026 (end of day, pacific Time)

The LiaisonCAS application fee is $105; the SlideRoom portfolio submission is an additional $10.

You will be able to request a fee waiver for the $105 only after you have started (but not submitted) your online USC application and indicated your program of interest. You will be asked for documentation to verify your eligibility for a waiver. If your request is approved, you will then be able to submit your application and skip payment of the application fee. Please refer to our Fee Waivers page to see if you are eligible. Importantly, the Iovine and Young Academy does not sponsor graduate applications.

Application for current USC students is free of charge--please submit an application fee waiver.

USC's Pre-Master's application fee is $195; the SlideRoom portfolio submission costs an additional $10.

Applications for the Progressive Degree program is free of charge. 

PDP applicants must submit all application materials on SlideRoom, without any application fee being charged. No application fee waiver request is needed.

Is there an application fee? Can I get the application fee waived?  

All USC graduate program applicants need to provide their personal information, resume, and their academic history, including official transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions that they have attended (even if they have not completed a program). Our program-specific application materials include 3 essay questions, the submission of 1-2 letters of recommendation, 1 short self-introduction video, and 1-3 portfolio items. Applicants also have the option of adding a personal statement.

Progressive degree program applicants need to fill out pages 1 through 3 of the PDP application form, including their proposed course plan to complete the progressive MSIDBT program in addition to their undergraduate degree, signed by their undergraduate advisor and the MSIDBT program's graduate advisor. They also need to provide their resume and STARS report. Our program-specific application materials include 3 essay questions, the submission of 1-2 letters of recommendation, 1 short self-introduction video, and 1-3 portfolio items. Applicants also have the option of adding a personal statement.

What do I need to submit for my application? 

We do not require GMAT or GRE scores. International applicants may be required to submit proof of their English-language proficiency.

No, the Iovine and Young Academy welcomes new students once a year, in fall semesters only.

Can I apply to start in the spring or summer term? 

Generally, current and previous employers and professors who can speak to your skills, experiences, and accomplishments relevant to your potential to benefit from and contribute to the MSIDBT program are the best choices for obtaining letters of recommendation.

Who should my letters of recommendation come from?

2025 Career Resources Handout.pdf

An overview of career resources for USC students and Academy-specific students.

Career Resources

2025 Financial Resources Handout.pdf

Information regarding fees, financing options, and scholarships.

Financial Resources

2025 International Student Resource Handouts.pdf

For prospective, admitted, and current international students.

International Student Resources

2025 International First Steps Flowchart.pdf

Condensed view of next steps for admitted international students.

International Student's First Steps Flowchart

We've compiled various one-pagers for highlight resources and next-steps should you choose to apply to the USC Iovine and Young Academy. 

Resource Handouts

On this page you will find information on info sessions, hand outs, and registration links for tours or panels, all related to the graduate admissions process at the Iovine and Young Academy. 

Graduate Admission Resources