PROGRAM DATES
April 14, 2025
April 28, 2025
May 12, 2025
May 26, 2025
June 9, 2025
June 23, 2025
July 7, 2025
July 21, 2025
August 4, 2025
August 18, 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. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency.
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
- Cybersecurity in the real world
- Risk Assessment and Management
- Security Standards and Frameworks
- Internet of Things
- Ethical hacking
Learning Outcomes
Following the completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the core principles of cybersecurity
- Be able to conduct cyber risk assessments
- Be knowledgeable of various cybersecurity frameworks and standards
- Understand the risks, vulnerabilities, and threats resulting from connected devices i.e. Internet of Things (IOT)
- Develop basic ethical hacking skills.
Format and Course Length
The course consists of recorded lectures, academic exercises, research assignments, and labs. Students will explore the many facets of cybersecurity. Each module is composed of topics woven together to give a complete picture of cybersecurity.
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’ll be taking class with USC Viterbi School of Engineering faculty member, Dr. Darin Gray. As the Co-Director of the K-12 STEM Center, Darin oversees Center operations and partnerships with local schools and school districts. He forges new partnerships with STEM organizations within and outside of the University, writes proposals for STEM grants and develops, implements and oversees data driven program evaluations.
After graduating from USC, Darin worked for the Hughes Aircraft Company’s Advanced Circuit Technology Lab where he designed analog to digital converters for the Radar Systems Group. After leaving Hughes, Darin worked for 25 years for the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Division of Adult and Career Education as a mathematics instructor and as a coordinator for an alternative high school. He has been at USC Viterbi for over 23 years and prior to being the Co-Director, he was the STEM Coordinator responsible for program support, curricula development and teacher professional development. He teaches an introduction to engineering course, Discover Engineering, for the USC Summer Programs office. Darin is also a sergeant in the California State Guard where he serves as a Cyber Security trainer for the CA National Guard.
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, April 14, 2025 | Wednesday, April 9, 2025 |
| Monday, April 28, 2025 | Wednesday, April 23, 2025 |
| Monday, May 12, 2025 | Wednesday, May 7, 2025 |
| Monday, May 26, 2025 | Wednesday, May 21, 2025 |
| Monday, June 9, 2025 | Wednesday, June 4, 2025 |
| Monday, June 23, 2025 | Wednesday, June 18, 2025 |
| Monday, July 7, 2025 | Wednesday, July 2, 2025 |
| Monday, July 21, 2025 | Wednesday, July 16, 2025 |
| Monday, August 4, 2025 | Wednesday, July 30, 2025 |
| Monday, August 18, 2025 | Wednesday, August 13, 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.