 |
The University of Southern California (USC) Viterbi School of Engineering (VSoE) International Company Membership (ICM) enables companies with more than fifty (50) employees the ability to provide a graduate level education to their working engineers. Under the Agreement, companies belonging to the ICM offer their employees the opportunity to participate in USC courses for
|
academic credit on a part-time basis. Membership applies to employees located in the specific site (city) where membership is approved, and permits participation for employees admitted into a degree program. Membership is not required for participation in USC’s online non-credit professional development short courses.
How It Works [back to top]
Regular campus lectures are transmitted from studio classrooms at the USC campus in Los Angeles, California via an extensive Internet-delivery system from the Distance Education Network (DEN). DEN students around the world who have access to high-speed Internet can view their classes anytime. Classes are offered live via the Internet, or at a later time (archived). Lectures are accessible for the entire semester, allowing DEN students a chance to review a complex lesson or prepare for exams.
Eligibility [back to top]
To become a USC Viterbi School of Engineering International Company Member, a company must have more than fifty full-time regular employees. In addition, member companies must provide tuition support to their employees who are enrolled in this program. There is no charge to become a USC International Company Member.
Benefits of Membership [back to top]
Employees of member companies may participate in academic courses and programs offered by the USC VSoE Distance Education Network (DEN). DEN enables full-time working professionals to earn their Master of Science degree from one of the top-ten ranked graduate engineering schools in the United States – online. Employees of member companies must be admitted into a degree program.
DEN students are fully matriculated graduate students and have full student privileges, rights, and responsibilities. Since DEN students undergo the exact same admission requirements and curriculum as on-campus graduate students, their degrees will be from the University of Southern California (there will be no mention of "distance education").
Responsibilities of Membership [back to top]
Companies agree to the following responsibilities of membership:
Services [back to top]
DEN will provide its full scope of student services, including academic advisement, enrollment, homework processing, exam proctoring and technology support to the students.
DEN will work with the member company to arrange on-site and/or videoconference advisement/recruitment event; verify student enrollments; and communicate program information to students. If DEN cannot identify a suitable testing center near the member company site, the member company will assist with exam proctoring.
The member company will provide students the following at its international sites:
- Connection to media and web caching servers
- Technical support
- Equipment and software, meeting minimum technical requirements as specified by DEN, including suitable computers, connection to the Internet, fax machines and telephones
DEN information technology personnel and the member company’s IT personnel will work together to ensure technical requirements for students are met, keep updated on changes related to DEN and the Member’s technology, and to resolve student technical problems.
Appointment of Company Contacts [back to top]
Education Liaison
The member company will provide a strategic educational planning contact to DEN. The Education Liaison is the key education manager, director, vice president, etc., who is responsible for company or site-wide employee development through part-time and distance education. This person agrees to:
- Share company education and training needs
- Provide feedback regarding USC VSoE DEN programs and services
Coordinator
The member company will appoint a Coordinator to be the primary administrative contact for DEN. This person agrees to:
- Act as a marketing/administrative contact for DEN
- Notify DEN of any changes to company/contact information
Payment of Tuition/Fees [back to top]
Employees of member companies will be charged standard tuition and fees for DEN courses as established each academic year by the USC Board of Trustees and the Dean of the VSoE. Member companies must reimburse students a minimum of 75% of the mandatory USC tuition and fees for courses. Students will assume ultimate financial responsibility for their USC DEN courses.
Students are responsible for ensuring payment for student fees, tuition and course fees. Member companies agree to work jointly with the DEN to ensure that all students remain in good standing. Member companies may set up a direct bill/payment process with USC upon request.
Please click here for current fees.
University Policies [back to top]
Member company employees shall comply with USC academic, copyright and other university policies.
All students are bound by the published USC Honor Code. A violation of this Honor Code can result in loss of student privileges. More information can be found in SCampus in the University Governance section by clicking here.
Commitment to Employee Study [back to top]
Courses offered for credit through DEN are regular USC courses and follow the USC academic calendar. Member company employees are expected to keep pace with the class, turning in assignments and undertaking exams on the same schedule as on campus students. Every attempt should be made to structure work requirements to allow the student to successfully complete the course. The member company and employee must adhere to USC deadlines for adding and dropping courses, and should make special note of the drop deadline, after which tuition and fees will not be refunded if the employee drops a course.
Fee Information [back to top]
There is no charge to become a USC International Company Member.
Register to Become an International Company Member [back to top]
Click here to register to become a USC Viterbi School of Engineering International Company Member!
Questions?
Questions about becoming a USC International Company Member? Please e-mail jecks@usc.edu or call 001 213 821 0413.
