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University of Southern California
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Master's Degree Programs

Graduate Certificate in Technology Commercialization

The Graduate Certificate in Technology Commercialization is designed to let students experience the entire spectrum of the commercialization process – invention, product development, technical and market feasibility analysis, intellectual property acquisition, business planning and venture funding.

To qualify for admission, current USC students should have completed the equivalent of one year of graduate study at USC (at least 12 units for part-time students) and earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Individuals holding graduate degrees from USC or other institutions are welcome to apply. Non-matriculated individuals (e.g., visiting scholars and those applying for limited student status) are not eligible for the program.

Prospective students may apply to begin the program in the fall, spring or summer term. Applications are submitted online through the USC Marshall School of Business Admissions Web site at www.marshall.usc.edu/admissions/applyonline. A complete application includes the online application form, responses to several essay questions, letters of recommendation and transcripts from any institutions attended since the applicant last applied to USC. (The application fee is not required of current USC students and USC alumni.) For more information: (213) 740-0505; Bridge Hall 1, USC, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0801; (213) 740-2976 (fax); entrepreneur@marshall.usc.edu.

After the Lloyd Greif Center has received the complete application, it will contact the applicant to confirm receipt of the application and, if appropriate, to schedule an interview. In their review of applications, the admission committee members consider the applicant’s completed academic work, evidence of potential business leadership, motivation, work experience and competitiveness within the current application pool.

Three required courses and one elective (12 units) must be completed to earn the certificate. The student must maintain both a certificate and overall GPA of at least 3.0 throughout the program.

Required coursesUnits
BAEP 556Technology Feasibility3
BAEP 557Technology Commercialization3
BAEP 559Investing in New Ventures3

Electives – Select oneUnits
BAEP 553Cases in New Venture Management3
BAEP 555Management of Rapidly Growing Ventures3
ISE 515Engineering Project Management3
ISE 555Invention and Technology Development3
ISE 585Strategic Management of Technology3
MOR 561Strategies in High-Tech Businesses3

For current USC graduate students, courses credited to the Graduate Certificate in Technology Commercialization may be completed in conjunction with course work required for the program in which the student is already enrolled. Applicability of these courses to the student’s primary degree program is determined by the student’s home department. For USC alumni, courses completed in conjunction with the individual’s prior degree may not be credited toward the certificate.

Successful completion of the program is acknowledged by a certificate awarded by the university.