ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The online Master of Science in Integrated Design, Business and Technology is designed to fuel your professional success through a unique integration of disciplines relevant to new styles of working in the 21^st century. Topping the list of the most in-demand attributes for employees by leading CEOs around the globe are creativity, collaborative problem solving, analytical thinking, discernment, and comfort with diverse, inter- and cross-disciplinary work environments. MSIDBT provides students with the tools and perspectives that are prized in the most innovative companies in the U.S. and abroad, and offers students an array of real-world, real-time opportunities to hone their abilities and test their ideas.

Successful candidates will be creative thinkers who seek to enhance their knowledge and skills to thrive in forward-thinking environments. The program challenges students to reach beyond their comfort zone and achieve fluency at the intersection of four critical areas: design, business, technology, and communication. The goal of the program is to produce problem solvers who can work easily across diverse fields and disciplines, and adapt quickly to change and emergent opportunities.

As one of the nation’s most innovative educational institutions, the USC Iovine and Young Academy seeks applicants whose academic and/or professional experience meet the demands of this program. The Master of Science in Integrated Design, Business and Technology is tailored for students who have a high level of personal motivation and entrepreneurial drive, and comfort with team- and project-based learning. To apply, you should possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Applicants who do not hold a Bachelor’s degree but who have a high level of demonstrated success in a relevant field or sector may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Please note, as an online program, the Master of Science in Integrated Design, Business and Technology program with USC does not meet the requirements of a student visa. Therefore, students enrolled in this program cannot apply for a visa to enter or remain in the United States based on their status as a student of USC.

Please note that applicants currently residing in Puerto Rico are ineligible to apply for this program at this time.

Our selection process includes a comprehensive review of qualifications and experience, as well as personal characteristics and qualities as revealed in community involvement, leadership, and other achievements. We seek to identify students who:

Aspire to lead innovation and challenge the norm;
Have a self-starter mindset and a passion for complex problem-solving through collaboration;
Want to develop the ability to harness different ways of thinking and doing to develop revolutionary ideas across divisions, industries, communities, and regions.

This online master’s program welcomes a new cohort of students three times a year with Fall, Spring and Summer intakes. We recommend applying early in the cycle for your chosen start date in order to provide plenty of time to consider your financial aid options. We strongly recommend that international students apply early to ensure sufficient time for processing additional application materials.

The next cohort for this program will be offered in fall 2024.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants to the online Master of Science should submit the following:

Application

You must complete the online application and pay the non-refundable application fee of $90. Access the online application here.

Resume

Your resume should provide an extensive overview of relevant academic, work and other experience.

Transcripts

Sealed official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions you have attended, including any community college coursework, must be sent to the address below. When using an ordering system online for hard-copy delivery, be sure to select “The University of Southern California – USC MSIDBT” in any drop-down menu. The program name “MSIDBT” must be in the title for the transcript to be sent to the right office.

University of Southern California (USC)
Application Processing Center
USC MSIDBT
PO Box 30096 024-002
College Station, TX 77842

If the option to send transcripts electronically is available, you should specify that they be sent to applicationservices@online-iovine-young.usc.edu, as this will expedite the delivery and the completion of the application.

Please note: To be considered an official transcript, the transcript must be sent directly from your institution(s) or through an electronic transcript vendor retained by that institution. Transcripts submitted by enrolled or prospective students are considered unofficial documents, even if they are in a sealed envelope provided to you by the issuing university.

Short Essays

Applicants are required to submit written responses to several short essay prompts, which must be uploaded to the online application.

Additional guidelines for the essay prompts are provided in the online application.

Portfolio or collection of work (Optional; recommended for applicants with a Design background)

We are seeking to identify expressions of creative, innovative and cross-disciplinary thinking. Portfolio submissions should demonstrate original thinking, and an ability to integrate disciplines to solve problems and develop new ideas.

Your portfolio may include one or more of the following (up to three total submissions):

Visual arts and design: These can include 2D or 3D work, including but not limited to: painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, product or industrial design, graphic design, fashion design, environmental design, web-based or mobile digital media design, UI/UX design, etc.

Business plans, pitches or decks: These can include business plans, marketing plans, process books, market research or reports, etc.

Time-based media: These can include examples of narrative or art film, video games, motion graphics, audio recordings, etc.

Audio recordings can include performances of original music, readings of creative texts, etc. Note: Audio recordings of non-original content are discouraged as evidence of creativity, but they may be included to supplement other creative entries and show high levels of ability in performing or production techniques.

Creative written materials: These can include stories, poems, essays, published opinion pieces, etc.

Evidence of scientific or technological work: This submission should cover scientific or technological projects, residencies or internships that required abilities in and/or integration of multiple disciplines or creative problem-solving. Evidence may include abstracts, photos, wireframes, schematics, video, etc.

PLEASE NOTE: It is impossible to efficiently review lengthy or large submissions. If you wish for faculty to understand your creative output in the application process, we strongly urge careful selection and curation to show your best work in the most concise way possible. Excerpts, clip reels, and compilations are preferable to complete submissions. It is also important to select entries that will differentiate you from others and highlight your individuality.

Letters of recommendation

Letters of Recommendation are optional for all students who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution.

Letters of recommendation are encouraged for applicants who have been out of school for more than 10 years or whose academic record does not adequately reflect their capacity to contribute to and benefit from a graduate program of study.

Please connect with your admissions counselor for further guidance.

If you decide to solicit recommendations, you should request recommendations from those who can speak to your professional or academic readiness to attend a rigorous graduate program. You should request these letters from your recommenders through the online application.

GRE scores are not required

If your native language is not English, you are required to submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of higher than 90 or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score of higher than 6.5.

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