USC Iovine and Young Academy

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Photo by Jeremy Bittermann.

The USC Iovine and Young Academy was founded in 2013 through a visionary gift by Beats co-founders Jimmy Iovine and Andre “Dr. Dre” Young. IYA provides a unique learning experience that prepares students to create and innovate in industries at the intersection of technology, design and business. Our faculty have intersectional expertise in the following areas:

Design Strategy 

Interactive and Physical Computing 

Product Innovation 

Extended Reality 

Transformative Artificial Intelligence 

Business of Innovation 

Health Innovation 

Challenge-based Learning

Programs

Courses of Instruction

We offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation, a Bachelor of Science in the Business of Innovation, and a Master of Science degree in Integrated Design, Business and Technology. Our graduates are placed in development and strategy positions with top companies upon graduation, and many of our students successfully commercialize their own startups before they even graduate.

Our unique Challenge-Based Reflective Learning Framework (CBRL) is based on learning through complex sociotechnical challenges provided by industry and community partners and by the faculty and students. The Innovation Quest annual pipeline prepares students to discern their own ideas and transform them into viable ventures. Learning at IYA is applied and hands-on, and leverages our cutting-edge prototyping facilities. 

We encourage collaborative learning through diverse teams that leverage the differences in our community, represented by a student body and faculty with varied interests, skills, and perspectives.

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

Patrick Dent, MA, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs

Yolanda DiConti, Executive Assistant to the Dean

Matthew Manos, MFA, Director, Challenge-based Learning

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

Raul Petris, Associate Dean, Finance and Administration

Regina Rezex, MSHCM, MNLM, Assistant Dean, Development and External Relations

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

Faculty

Professors: Michael Crowley, PhD; Patrick Dent, MA; Leslie Saxon, MD

Associate Professors: Stephen Child, MFA; Grant Delgatty, BS; Matthew Manos, MFA; Douglas Thomas, PhD; Davina Wolter, BFA, BA

Assistant Professors: Yihyun Lim, MArch; Aaron Siegel, MFA; SeoYoon Sung, PhD; Chris Swain, BS; Alexander Titus, PhD

Lecturers: Scott Armanini, MBA; Carsten Becker, MA; David Beier, MFA; John Bruneau, MFA; Adam Hughes, BA; Tina Sharkey, BA

Adjunct Lecturers: Estevan Carlos Benson, BS; Robert Checchi, MFA; Jay Clewis, MS; Michael Overing, JD; Aswin Pranam, MBA; Emily Schneider, MS; Sue-Tze Tan, MS

Entrepreneur-in-Residence: Jean-Michel Arnoult, BA

Maker-in-Residence: Trent Jones, BS

Postdoctoral Scholar - Research Associates: Malcolm Jones, PhD; Sreejesh Moolayadukkam, PhD

General Information

Degrees Offered

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

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 2025 is December 1, 2024. 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 2025 is February 15, 2025. 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 2025 is February 15, 2025. 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 academic advisers help students navigate academic life, program requirements, policies and procedures, and careful planning to assist students towards degree completion. Undergraduate majors are required to meet with the adviser before registering for the upcoming semester. Appointment opportunities will be made available at most times during the academic year.

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

• Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation (BS)
• Business of Innovation (BS)

• Designing for Digital Experiences Minor
• Designing Multimedia Experiences Minor
• Designing Products Minor
• Disruptive Innovation Minor
• Extended Reality Design and Development Minor
• Health Innovation Minor

• Fashion Innovation (MS)
• Integrated Design, Business and Technology (MS)

Courses

• ACAD 174 Innovators Forum
• ACAD 176 Rapid Visualization
• ACAD 177 Digital Toolbox: Design
• ACAD 178 Digital Toolbox: Motion Graphics
• ACAD 179 Digital Toolbox: Excel for Business Management
• ACAD 180 Digital Toolbox: Audio and Video
• ACAD 181g Disruptive Innovation
• ACAD 182 Case Studies in Innovation
• ACAD 186 Digital Toolbox: Computational Visual Design
• ACAD 187 Digital Toolbox: 3D Design
• ACAD 188 Modeling Products with Solidworks
• ACAD 189 3D Tools for Product Design
• ACAD 190 Making with Materials
• ACAD 200 Advanced Sound and Audio
• ACAD 202 Modeling Physical Systems
• ACAD 203 Statics
• ACAD 204 Mechanics of Materials and Structures
• ACAD 206 Communication and Culture
• ACAD 207 Narrative Technology and the Human Experience
• ACAD 217 Extended Reality Design
• ACAD 220 Introduction to Data Innovation and Analytics
• ACAD 222 Introduction to Machine Intelligence
• ACAD 230 Introduction to Interactive Physical Computing
• ACAD 240 Materials: Denim to Nanotubes
• ACAD 245 Fundamentals of Product Design
• ACAD 255 Advancing Journalism with Human-Centered Design
• ACAD 256 Designing for News and Information
• ACAD 260 Introduction to Healthcare Innovation
• ACAD 261 Human Health and Technology
• ACAD 274 Designing Interactive Data Systems
• ACAD 275 Dev I
• ACAD 276 Dev II
• ACAD 280 Information Design
• ACAD 281 Constructing Experiences
• ACAD 288 Constructing Digital Worlds
• ACAD 301 Understanding Play
• ACAD 302 The Hacker Imagination: from Ancient Greece to Cupertino
• ACAD 306 Innovation, Entertainment, and the Arts
• ACAD 308 Computer-Aided Design for Bio-Mechanical Systems
• ACAD 309g Dreams & Madness: The Art of Japan’s Golden Age of Animation
• ACAD 310 Launching Disruptive Ventures
• ACAD 311 Design for User Experience
• ACAD 312L Materials Behavior and Processing
• ACAD 315x Basics of Project and Operations Management for Non-Majors
• ACAD 317 Story and Collaboration in Convergent Spaces
• ACAD 324g The Practice of Design: Ideation to Innovation
• ACAD 331x Influence and Collaboration
• ACAD 341 Android App Development
• ACAD 342 iOS App Development
• ACAD 343 Mobile Development for Content and Media
• ACAD 344 Advanced iOS App Development
• ACAD 346 Predictive Design: Visionary Product Lab
• ACAD 350 International Experience
• ACAD 352 Digital Audio Recording and Processing
• ACAD 354 Synthesis and Sound Design
• ACAD 356 Audio and Media Integration
• ACAD 360 Design Strategy: Problem Solving for Organizations
• ACAD 362 Analytics for Health Innovators
• ACAD 365 Managing Data in C++
• ACAD 366 Designing Media for Social Change
• ACAD 375 Business and Professional Communication
• ACAD 376 Industry Practicum I: Designing and Implementing Real-World Solutions
• ACAD 377 Industry Practicum II: Designing and Implementing Real-World Solutions
• ACAD 382 Mobile Game Development
• ACAD 387x Cloud Architecture and Applications
• ACAD 401 Story Building for Inventors and Entrepreneurs
• ACAD 402 The Community Playbook for Brands and Businesses
• ACAD 404 Advanced Front-End Web Development
• ACAD 405 Advanced Back-End Web Development
• ACAD 406 Purpose-Driven Innovation Incubator
• ACAD 415 Dev III: Designing Applications for Emerging Platforms
• ACAD 419 Professional Internship
• ACAD 422 Cybersecurity, Privacy and Trust in Connective Healthcare
• ACAD 425 Web Application Security
• ACAD 431 Devices and Systems for Body Computing
• ACAD 432 Collaborative Prototyping in Health Innovation
• ACAD 442 Mobile App Project
• ACAD 444 Designing Products for Industry
• ACAD 445 Designing Products For Licensing
• ACAD 449 Applications of Machine Learning
• ACAD 450 Industry and Impact Projects
• ACAD 460 Web Application Project
• ACAD 463 Evidence Based Medicine for Health Innovators
• ACAD 464 Mining Health Data Through Machine Learning
• ACAD 467 Strategic Management of Innovation
• ACAD 475a The Garage Experience
• ACAD 475b The Garage Experience
• ACAD 476 Technologies for Interactive Marketing
• ACAD 480 Design Research
• ACAD 490 Directed Research
• ACAD 491 Individual Instruction
• ACAD 499 Special Topics
• ACAD 521 Designing Brand Identity for Startups
• ACAD 535 Ambient Computing for Fashion
• ACAD 537 Extended Reality for Fashion
• ACAD 539 Extended Reality Development
• ACAD 541 Data Innovation and Analytics
• ACAD 542 Machine Intelligence
• ACAD 543 Augmented Intelligence
• ACAD 544 Transformative Artificial Intelligence in Society
• ACAD 581 Introduction to the Global Fashion System

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