By eliminating time and space constraints, distance education makes a USC education possible for many students who would not otherwise be able to become a part of the Trojan family. Several successful distance learning (DL) programs are currently available to professionals seeking advanced degree programs or continuing education, and the University is committed to building additional opportunities through the TEL_DL initiative and the Lifelong Learning initiative.
Online Graduate Programs
Several USC schools offer masters degrees and graduate certificates online. The programs listed below require formal admission to the University, and are equivalent to degrees offered on campus.
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College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
The College's Geography Department offers the Geographic Information Science (GIS) Distance Learning Graduate Certificate Program, which is designed to give employed individuals the opportunity to receive training and education in GIS. (Note: One course requires a week-long trip to Catalina Island, south of Los Angeles.) -
Keck School of Medicine
The Master of Academic Medicine is a new program launching this fall, offered through the Keck School of Medicine in collaboration with the schools of Dentistry and Pharmacy, combines online coursework with on-campus face-to-face sessions. -
Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
The USC School of Gerontology is one of the first to offer online graduate education in gerontology. Through the Davis school, USC offers two masters degree programs and a graduate certificate designed for professionals currently working in organizations serving older adults and who would be unable to come to campus. -
School of Pharmacy, Department of Regulatory Science
Through the USC School of Pharmacy, students can earn a Master of Science in Regulatory Science online. The program is designed for professionals who are not able to attend classes on campus. -
The Viterbi School of Engineering Distance Education Network (DEN)
Established in 1972, DEN currently offers engineering professionals 31 masters degree programs and five graduate certificate programs, all online. With over 1,300 students enrolled in the Fall 2006 semester, this is the largest and longest running distance learning program at USC.
Online Continuing Education
USC Continuing Education (CE) programs differ from graduate programs in that CE students do not need to be formally admitted into the University. This allows for more flexibility in enrollment dates and course scheduling to meet the needs of working professionals. As an important part of USC, the Provost renewed the University's commitment to continuing education in May 2007 through the Lifelong Learning initiative.
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School of Dentistry
The School of Dentistry and the Office of Continuing Oral Health Professional Education offer a variety of seminars and traditional face-to-face courses, as well as monthly online courses for clinicians. -
Keck School of Medicine
A series of online newsletters are available through the Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME) of the Keck School of Medicine. Medical professionals can view these self-study PDF files at their convenience and complete a post-test to receive continuing education credit. -
Marshall School of Business
The Marshall School of Business offers eLearning courses for continuing and executive education. Programs are designed to address the unique requirements of varied industries and fields, providing access to the latest knowledge and cutting-edge theories in the market. -
Rossier School of Education
The Rossier School of Education currently offers two online certificates—Differentiated Curriculum for Gifted and Talented Students and the Program of Professional Preparation Reading Certificate—for educators to further their education. Both programs are designed for working teachers. -
Viterbi School of Engineering
For more than 50 years, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering has offered the Aviation Safety and Security program for safety professionals in the aviation industry. Additionally, DEN offers professional short courses in several areas.