Certificate in Technology Commercialization

The Certificate in Technology Commercialization provides students with a variety of opportunities to learn commercialization skills in an academic/real world environment that combines theory and practice. Students participate in our living laboratory program to experience the entire spectrum of the commercialization process: invention, product development, technical and market feasibility analysis, intellectual property acquisition, business planning, and venture funding while potentially becoming stakeholders in a new technology venture. They are also eligible to apply for summer internships sponsored by industry partners to give them additional experience in taking a new technology to market.

The program is particularly suited to those in science, engineering, and business. Classes comprise masters and Ph.D.-level researchers in medicine, the sciences, and all areas of engineering as well as MBA candidates.

The completed certificate is awarded by USC and is documented on the graduate’s transcript.

Three required courses and one elective are offered. Students benefit from faculty in science, engineering, and business to guide them.

The required courses are:
BAEP 557 (3 Sp) Technology Commercialization
BAEP 556 (3 Fa) Technology Feasibility
BAEP 559 (3 FaSp) Investing in New Ventures

Elective courses include:
BAEP 553 (3 Fa) Cases in New Venture Management
BAEP 555 (3 Sp) Management of Rapidly Growing Ventures
MOR 561 (3) Strategies in High-Tech Businesses
ISE 585 (3 Sp) Strategic Management of Technology
ISE 555 (3 Sp) Invention and Technology Development
ISE 515 (3 FaSpSm) Engineering Project Management

Click here for details on these courses.

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 TC 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. Appropriate substitutions for required courses will be determined and documented by the program director.

Non-matriculated individuals with graduate degrees are also welcome to apply to the program. This certificate program requires that you go through the admission process as if you're applying to the school to ensure a permanent record at USC. The application can be found at http://www.usc.edu/admission/graduate/programs/business.html.