When we think of entrepreneurs, we often imagine a handful of very famous billionaires, but that’s only a small fraction of the landscape. In reality, anyone from any background can be an entrepreneur — if you have the right mindset.
In this course, we’ll delve into what actually makes a successful entrepreneur — both in terms of their mindset and key traits. Then we’ll explore how entrepreneurs actually put this mindset into practice to launch a new venture. As we explore these essential principles, you’ll also get a real world look at the dynamics of small businesses and startups from expert professionals in finance, law, and other fields.
By the end of the course, you’ll have a realistic picture of what it takes to be an entrepreneur — and the many business opportunities that you might pursue in your future studies.
UPCOMING START DATES
November 25, 2024
December 9, 2024
December 23, 2024
January 6, 2025
January 20, 2025
February 3, 2025
February 17, 2025
March 3, 2025
March 17, 2025
March 31, 2025
FORMAT AND COURSE LENGTH
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 two to four weeks.
ELIGIBILITY
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 are older than 18 can request an exemption to apply by emailing precollegeonline@usc.edu and 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.
TUITION
$1990 USD
$35 application fee
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Featured Topics
- Fundamentals Of Entrepreneurship
- Market Sizing And Understanding Your Competition
- Finding Value For Your Customers
- Small Business Finance
- Pitching And Managing Your Venture
Learning Outcomes
Following the completion of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of:
- How to define and differentiate between a range of business models, categories of businesses, and methods of growth
- The benefits of practicing the entrepreneurial mindset to create a successful venture
- How analyzing your market and identifying value for your customers are critical to launching a business
- How to raise funds as a founder and strategically pitch a business plan to potential partners and funders
- How to motivate high-performing teams and be an ethical leader
Format and Course Length
The course consists of recorded lectures, business case studies, and industry spotlights. Each topic will provide students a solid understanding of the essential concepts of entrepreneurship along with illustrating these principles through examples from the 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 two to four weeks.
FEATURED FACULTY
In this course, you will learn from Glenn Fox, a faculty member at the University of Southern California’s Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies. His current projects focus on neural systems for emotion regulation, high stakes training, and developing entrepreneurial mindset skills in founders and business leaders.
Glenn received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from USC, where he focused on the neural correlates of gratitude, empathy, and neuroplasticity. Currently, Glenn is the director and founder of the USC Found Well Initiative, which aims to understand and promote entrepreneurial mindset in founders and business leaders.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Applicants who submit a completed application can expect an admission decision within 3 – 5 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.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
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 Program transcript at no additional cost.
PROGRAM START DATE AND APPLICATION DEADLINES
| PROGRAM START DATES | APPLICATION & TUITION DEADLINE |
|---|---|
| Monday, November 25, 2024 | Wednesday, November 20, 2024 |
| Monday, December 9, 2024 | Wednesday, December 4, 2024 |
| Monday, December 23, 2024 | Wednesday, December 18, 2024 |
| Monday, January 6, 2025 | Friday, December 20, 2024 |
| Monday, January 20, 2025 | Wednesday, January 15, 2025 |
| Monday, February 3, 2025 | Wednesday, January 29, 2025 |
| Monday, February 17, 2025 | Wednesday, February 12, 2025 |
| Monday, March 3, 2025 | Wednesday, February 26, 2025 |
| Monday, March 17, 2025 | Wednesday, March 12, 2025 |
| Monday, March 31, 2025 | Wednesday, March 26, 2025 |
CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS
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 (3) days past the course start date. Requests to drop the course more than three (3) days after the start date will not be eligible for a refund.
The university will not refund tuition for 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.