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MS Social Entrepreneurship (MSSE)

  • Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship (MSSE)

    Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship (MSSE)

    Solving world problems is no longer solely the province of social workers and policy professionals. Today’s complex problems require business acumen and leadership to provide sustainable change.

MSSE PROGRAM BENEFITS

Based in the Marshall School of Business and hosted by the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab, the MSSE offers you a solid business foundation to create lasting social change.

Pioneer For Change

This program is the first of its kind at a U.S. business school and is among the very few graduate degrees available worldwide that directly addresses social entrepreneurship. The program curriculum includes an exploration of the field of social enterprise and practice in feasibility analysis, impact investing, cause-related marketing, environmental sustainability, and global social impact.

The MSSE will give you the business knowledge and skills to make sustainable social impact. Students graduating from the MSSE may launch a social enterprise or play a key leadership role in an existing one. These enterprises may be stand-alone ventures or embedded in existing organizations.

MSSE ACADEMIC OVERVIEW

With an emphasis on best practices in management and leadership to solve the world's most pressing social challenges, the skills-based curriculum for the MSSE requires 30 units, consisting of seven required courses and four elective courses. You will learn from Marshall School of Business faculty— award-winning teachers, scholars, and practitioners – on the University of Southern California University Park Campus. In each required course, faculty members will teach their area of expertise through a social impact lens.

For degree requirements, please check the COURSE CATALOGUE.

See a SAMPLE COURSE PLAN.

MSSE FACULTY

Message From the Director: Jill Kickul

The only program of its kind in the country, the Master of Science in Social Enterpreneurship (MSSE) combines social impact with concrete business skills to create the next generation of changemakers, entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs and leaders. We welcome students from all academic disciplines and career spaces, and aim to serve as a launchpad for individuals driven to address the world’s most pressing issues through business and innovation.Disrupting models that traditionally equated business leadership and acumen with corporate profits and relegated social impact and change narrowly to nonprofit and policy work, the #2 ranked MSSE gives students a mix of perspectives no one else has.

This perspective–understanding the core business strategies and tools required to sell a product or service profitably and applying that to address issues like hunger or climate change–gives our students a unique seat at the table whether in existing organizations or in new ones.To this end, we teach the building blocks of profitable business models including accounting, finance, strategy and marketing, as well as key concepts related to entrepreneurship—everything from ideation using human-centered design to testing and feasibility to how do I build and finance this company.

We welcome career changers and value mentorship, immersive experience and community. Our program is a part of the highly ranked USC Marshall School of Business and is housed at the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab.

Best,

— Jill Kickul, MS Social Entrepreneurship Academic Director, Acting Director Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab, Narayan Research Directorship in Social Entrepreneurship, and Professor of Clinical Entrepreneurship


SELECT MSSE FACULTY

  • Jill Kickul

    Jill Kickul
    • Professor of Clinical Entrepreneurship
    • Research Director, Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab

    Jill was formerly at NYU’s Stern School of Business as Director of Social Entrepreneurship and the Chair for the 30-course MBA specialization in social Innovation and Impact. She is the Founding Director of the Annual Conference on Social Entrepreneurship, the largest academic conference in the field.

  • Abby Fifer Mandell

    Abby Fifer Mandell
    • Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship

    Abby Fifer Mandell is an award-winning educator, user researcher, master facilitator and design strategist. As senior lecturer in entrepreneurship and founding executive director of the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab, Abby has guided hundreds of individuals and organizations to apply user-centered design to challenges faced by individuals and families worldwide. Community foci include older adults, farmworkers in California’s Central Valley, and adults diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Abby won the Academy of Management Innovation in Entrepreneurship Pedagogy Award in 2018. Prior to USC, Abby lectured at American Jewish University and designed educational facilities with Brailsford & Dunlavey. She is a Wexner Heritage Fellow, serves on the advisory board of United Parents and Students, and in 2023 received the USC Mentoring Award for Faculty Mentoring Undergraduate Students.

  • Duke Bristow

    Duke Bristow
    • Associate Professor of Clinical Finance and Business Economics

    Duke Bristow is an expert on corporate finance and corporate governance, particularly in the areas of private equity and director education. He has published papers in economics, engineering, and law journals, and has advised organizations on matters involving corporate governance and director education since 1998. His research and teaching has received support from the National Institutes of Health, the NASDAQ, the four largest international audit firms, and a dozen national law firms. Professor Bristow has served as a director, officer or executive in public, private and not-for-profit organizations.

APPLYING TO THE MSSE PROGRAM

Dates + Deadlines

The Summer 2024 Application opens on August 31, 2023. Applications received after the deadlines are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.

Round 1 Deadline*: December 1, 2023
Round 2 Deadline: March 1, 2023

*International applicants should apply by the round 1 deadline to ensure enough time for immigration process.

REQUEST INFORMATION

For more information about this program, please fill out the form below. If you have further questions you may EMAIL the admissions team directly or call 213-740-7587.






MSSE STUDENT LIFE

The mission of the Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship Student Association (MSSE SA) is to advocate on behalf of MSSE students in order to enhance the student experience.

This includes improving students’ academic, professional, and social experience during their time here at USC Marshall.

  • MSSE Student Association

    MSSE Student Association

    The mission of the Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship Student Association (MSSE SA) is to advocate on behalf of MSSE students in order to enhance the student experience.

    VISIT THE MSSE SA SITE MSSE Student Association

STAY CONNECTED

  • Contact

    MS Social Entrepreneurship
    3670 Trousdale Parkway, BRI 105
    Marshall School of Business
    University of Southern California
    Los Angeles, CA 90089-0803
    1-213-740-7587
    EMAIL