USC Iovine and Young Academy

The newly opened Academy building.

Iovine and Young Hall is a 40,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility featuring 3D printers and lasercutters; fabrication lab for metal, wood, plastics and electronics; multimedia lab for motion capture, photo, video and audio; and alumni lab to support student startups.
Photo by Jeremy Bittermann.

Programs

Courses of Instruction

The USC Iovine and Young Academy offers a world-unique, integrated learning experience in human-centered design, technology, entrepreneurship and communication. Students develop a powerfully agile mindset and 21st century expertise in strategic leadership, product innovation and experiential computing for purpose-driven societal change. Established with a visionary gift from entrepreneurs Jimmy Iovine and Andre “Dr. Dre” Young, the Academy merges academic rigor with immersive, real-world challenges with leading companies and institutions to prepare students to thrive in an ever-changing global economy.

Students who complete the undergraduate course of study in the Academy will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation and possess an unprecedented combination of knowledge and skill. Crafted through a unique and groundbreaking integration of its core disciplines, the degree facilitates each individual’s ability to engage differently and successfully with a dramatically changing, tech-driven global marketplace. Students develop expertise in integrating divergent ideas and develop new ways of working, learning and collaborating in key emerging specializations such as design strategy, digital transformation, business innovation, experiential computing, sustainable development, health innovation and participatory wellness, inclusive learning and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.

The Academy’s online MS Integrated Design, Business and Technology graduate degree program provides an interdisciplinary education that merges educational and professional disciplines central to our changing world. The program creates leaders with diverse and creative ways of thinking and doing – professionals trained to recognize and cultivate innovation, catalyze change and leverage new opportunities to not only support, but also help shape and build our rapidly evolving economy.

Academy students fine-tune their ideas and complete working models, systems or prototypes in Iovine and Young Hall. The facility offers approximately 10,000 square feet of makerspace and cutting-edge technologies, workshops and flexible studios to nurture collaboration, to engender innovation and to support the development of creative ideas, inventions and startups.

Students work both individually and in self-directed teams, and they are guided by faculty and industry mentors who include artists, designers, technologists, founders, venture capitalists, public policy leaders, philanthropists, global entrepreneurs and more.

Iovine and Young Hall
3780 Watt Way
Los Angeles, CA 90089-3571
(213) 821-6140
FAX: (213) 821-1440
Email: iovine-young@usc.edu
iovine-young.usc.edu

Senior Administration

Thanassis Rikakis, DMA, Dean

Michael Crowley, PhD, Assistant Dean, Faculty Affairs; Faculty Director, MSIDBT Program

Patrick Dent, MS, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs

Yolanda DiConti, Executive Assistant to the Dean

Karine Kim, MA, Senior Associate Director, Communications

Matthew Manos, MFA, Director, Challenge-based Learning

Imre Meszaros, EdD, Assistant Dean, Graduate and Professional Programs

Raul Petris, Associate Dean, Finance and Administration

Jessica Vernon, MEd, Associate Dean, Admission and Student Affairs

Davina Wolter, BFA, BA, Assistant Dean, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Initiatives

Faculty

Professors: Michael Crowley, PhD; Velina Hasu Houston, PhD

Associate Professors: Elizabeth Amini, MBA; Stephen Child, MFA; Grant Delgatty, BS; Patrick Dent, MS; Matthew Manos, MFA; Douglas Thomas, PhD

Assistant Professors: Lisa Krohn, MFA; Yihyun Lim, MArch; Aaron Siegel, MFA; Chris Swain, BS; Davina Wolter, BFA, BA

Lecturers: Trina Gregory, MS; Trent Jones, BS; Nayeon Kim, BS; Zune Nguyen, BS; Robert Parke, MS

Entrepreneurs-in-Residence: Jean-Michel Arnoult, BA; Tina Sharkey, BA

Adjunct Assistant Professor: Scott Armanini, MBA

Adjunct Lecturers: Carsten Becker, MA; Safir Bellali, BS; Estevan Carlos Benson; Robert Checchi, MFA; Jay Clewis, MS; Adam Hughes, BSME; Michael Overing, JD; Leon Rodriguez, BS; Emily Schneider, MS; Jacob Spurlock, MS; Sue-Tze Tan, MS

Emeritus Professor: Phil More, PhD

General Information

Degrees Offered

The Iovine and Young Academy offers a Bachelor of Science in Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation; a Master of Science in Integrated Design, Business and Technology; and a Master of Science in Fashion Innovation.

Minimum Grade Requirement

Iovine and Young Academy majors must receive a minimum final grade of C- in all required courses offered by the Iovine and Young Academy. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the following:

For final grades of D+, D, D-, F or NC in a required Academy course, the student must repeat the course in order to ensure sufficient skill and knowledge in the subject area. The student must repeat the course in the semester immediately following the term in which the insufficient grade was received (or at the earliest opportunity, i.e., in the next semester it is offered), and must receive a minimum final grade of C- in the repeated course. Failure to receive a minimum final grade of C- in the repeated course will result in a determination of unsatisfactory academic progress, and ineligibility to continue in the major. Students may repeat a maximum of two required Academy courses. Receipt of a D+, D, D-, F or NC in a third required Academy course will result in ineligibility to continue in the major.

Note: If a student’s grade results in the need to repeat a course as described above, students are advised that due to prerequisites and other program elements, such instances may affect the student’s ability to register for subsequent course work and could result in a delay of the anticipated graduation date.

In addition, the USC GPA requirement is as follows:

Grade Point Average Requirement

A grade point average of at least C (2.0) on all baccalaureate units attempted at USC, as well as on the combined USC-transfer GPA, is required for undergraduate degrees. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in all upper-division courses applied toward the major is also required, regardless of the department in which the courses are taken. The University will not deviate from policies governing the calculation of the grade point average through inclusion or exclusion of course work.

Minor Programs

The Iovine and Young Academy offers minors as supplements to major fields of specialization in other departments and schools. There is a separate application for Academy minors available at iovine-young.usc.edu. Candidates for the minors in the Iovine and Young Academy will be counseled by an academic adviser in the school.

Undergraduate Admission

Admission to the Iovine and Young Academy is granted through the USC Office of Admission. The incoming freshmen application deadline for Fall 2024 is December 1, 2023. Specific requirements and additional information are available at iovine-young.usc.edu/admissions/index.html.

Entrance Requirements for Current USC Students as Internal Transfers

The Academy will consider entrance into the major for current USC students. While completed USC course work will be taken into account, there is no guarantee it will be credited toward Academy requirements. For example, a sophomore may not be able to transfer to the Academy with sophomore standing. Credit and standing will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Admission to the Academy is limited to fall semester only. The application deadline for Fall 2024 is February 15, 2024. Specific requirements and additional information are available at iovine-young.usc.edu/admissions/index.html.

Entrance Requirements for External Transfers

The Academy will consider entrance into the major for current students at other two-year and four-year higher education institutions. While completed course work will be taken into account, there is no guarantee it will be credited toward Academy requirements. For example, a sophomore may not be able to transfer to the Academy with sophomore standing. Credit and standing will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Admission to the Academy is limited to fall semester only. The application deadline for Fall 2024 is February 15, 2024. Specific requirements and additional information are available at iovine-young.usc.edu/admissions/index.html.

Graduate Admission

Information on admission to the Academy’s Master of Science in Integrated Design, Business and Technology program is available at iovine-young.usc.edu.

Advisement

Academic advisement is provided to Academy major and minor students. The staff advisers provide information regarding academic life at the university, program requirements, policies and procedures to assist students with their degree completion. Undergraduate majors are required to meet with the adviser before registering each semester. Appointments may be scheduled at most times during the academic year.

Waiver of Course Requirements

Under special circumstances course waivers and substitutions may be granted. All course waivers and course substitutions must be approved by the dean of the Academy or their designee.

Tuition and Fees

Undergraduate and graduate programs are assessed at the university-wide tuition rate. The university reserves the right to assess new fees or charges. The rates listed are subject to change without notice by action of the Board of Trustees.

Programs

Bachelor’s Degree

Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation (BS)

Minor

Master’s Degree

Courses

Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation

Integrated Design, Business and Technology

Page: 1 | 2