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Focused student wearing headphones studying on a laptop in a library, representing USC Pre-College online course “Building Blocks of Business: Tools for Creating a Dynamic and Sustainable Business,” where learners study at their own pace and earn a Certificate of Completion.

Learn on your own time and earn a Certificate of Completion.

If you’re a high school student looking to get a head start on your business skills, this course is for you! In this course, you’ll learn the various elements of business, including topics like accounting, marketing, leadership and finance — all by looking at real businesses. You’ll also hear from industry experts as well as instructors from the renowned USC Marshall School of Business.

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Explore the interdisciplinary nature of business using the Business Model Canvas, a popular design and analysis tool that will help students visualize the nine major building blocks businesses employ.  We’ll look at real businesses and understand the secret sauce that makes them successful.

At the culmination of the course, students will assume the role of an investor and apply their knowledge by analyzing two business models to determine which has the potential to be most profitable and why.

By the course’s completion, students will have a strong understanding of how different disciplines like communications, accounting, strategy, leadership, marketing, data analytics and finance work together to create and sustain successful businesses.

Featured Topics

  • Value propositions and business strategy
  • Customers and marketing
  • Operations, resources and supply chain
  • Finance
  • Accounting
  • Data analytics

Learning Outcomes

  • Evaluate and target a business’s customers
  • Identify resources and processes needed to drive growth
  • Measure a business’s success
  • Analyze a business’s desirability, feasibility and viability

Format and Course Length

  • Students will engage with business simulations, active learning modules and video content, emerging with applied knowledge in the professional business world.
  • Combined coursework of recorded lectures, readings and assignments is approximately 20–25 hours, to be completed at the student’s own pace.
  • Students are expected to complete the course in four weeks but have 90 days of access if more time is needed.

In this course, you’ll be taking classes from Michael Paranal, CPA, academic director of USC’s Master of Business Taxation and assistant professor of clinical accounting.

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Headshot of Michael Paranal.

  • Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Applicants who submit a completed application can expect an admission decision within three to five business days.

    • Include basic contact information from you and your parent(s) or guardian.
    • Tell us why you want to take the course and a little about yourself through a short-answer essay.
    • Share a piece of writing, video or social media content that reveals something about yourself (optional).
    • Submit the $35 application fee.
    • Students must be at least 14 years old or older and enrolled in a high school or secondary program.

    Recent high school graduates, students taking a gap year or time off from college, and students who are older than 18 can request an exemption to apply by emailing precollegeonline@usc.edu. Please include a short paragraph (no more than 200 words) stating your interest and how this program will add value to your academic or career plans.

  • In addition to the requirements listed above, international applicants are expected to be proficient in English. International students who successfully complete an online course will receive a digital Certificate of Completion and, by request, a USC Pre-College Programs transcript at no additional cost.

  • Program Start DateApplication and Tuition Deadline
    Monday, November 10, 2025Wednesday, November 5, 2025
    Monday, November 24, 2025Wednesday, November 19, 2025
    Monday, December 8, 2025Wednesday, December 3, 2025
    Monday, December 22, 2025Wednesday, December 17, 2025
    Monday, January 5, 2026Wednesday, December 31, 2025
    Monday, January 19, 2026Wednesday, January 14, 2026
    Monday, February 2, 2026Wednesday, January 28, 2026
    Monday, February 16, 2026Wednesday, February 11, 2026
    Monday, March 2, 2026Wednesday, February 25, 2026
    Monday, March 16, 2026Wednesday, March 11, 2026
    Monday, March 30, 2026Wednesday, March 25, 2026
    Monday, April 13, 2026Wednesday, April 8, 2026
    Monday, April 27, 2026Wednesday, April 22, 2026
    Monday, May 11, 2026Wednesday, May 6, 2026
    Monday, May 25, 2026Wednesday, May 20, 2026
    Monday, June 8, 2026Wednesday, June 3, 2026
    Monday, June 22, 2026Wednesday, June 17, 2026
    Monday, July 6, 2026Wednesday, July 1, 2026
    Monday, July 20, 2026Wednesday, July 15, 2026

  • Application fee: $35

    Tuition: $1,990

    Tuition and fees cover access to the chosen online course and materials for up to three months after your chosen start date.

    Please note that application fees are nonrefundable. All course cancellations requests must be made in writing to precollegeonline@usc.edu. Any tuition paid to the university will be refunded, not including fees, if requested no more than three days past the course start date. Requests to drop the course more than three days after the start date will not be eligible for a refund.

    The university will not refund tuition for USC Pre-College online exploration courses for students who are removed from the program due to a violation of our Letter of Understanding for Online Participation and our Student Code of Conduct.

I started my own company and wanted guidance on the process. I enjoyed the guest speaker and professor [in this course]. They made it easier to understand.

— Pre-College Online Student, 2025
Smiling student sitting by a window with a laptop, representing motivated high school students applying to supplement their studies through USC Pre-College programs.
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