Why Marshall
Leadership
Dean Geoffrey Garrett
Dean's Cabinet
Boards
Real-World Learning
Human Leadership
Tech Fluency
Global Opportunities
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Teaching + Innovation
Experiential Learning Center
Open Expression Statement
Programs
Undergraduate Programs
Admissions
Degrees
BS Business Administration (BUAD)
Business Emphases
BS Accounting (ACCT)
World Bachelor in Business (WBB)
BS Business of Cinematic Arts (BCA)
BS Artificial Intelligence for Business (BUAI)
Undergraduate Minors
Graduate Programs
MBA Programs
Full-Time MBA (FTMBA)
Executive MBA (EMBA)
Part-Time MBA (MBA.PM)
International MBA (IBEAR)
Online MBA (OMBA)
Specialized Masters
MS Business Administration (MSBUSAD)
MS Business Analytics (MSBA)
MS Entrepreneurship + Innovation (MSEI)
MS Finance (MSF)
MS Global Supply Chain Management (MSGSCM)
MS Marketing (MSMKT)
MS Social Entrepreneurship (MSSE)
Master of Business for Veterans (MBV)
Master of Management Studies (MMS)
Accounting Masters
Master of Accounting (MAcc)
Master of Business Taxation (MBT)
Master of Business Taxation for Working Professionals (MBT.WP)
PhD Program
Accounting
Data Sciences + Operations
Finance
Management + Organization
Marketing
Graduate Certificates
GC in Business Analytics
GC in Financial Analysis + Valuation
GC in Management Studies
GC in Marketing
GC in Optimization + Supply Chain Management
GC in Strategy + Management Consulting
GC in Sustainability + Business
GC in Technology Commercialization
GC in Library and Information Management – Online
Executive Education Redirect
Departments
Business Communication (BUCO)
Faculty
Data Sciences and Operations (DSO)
Finance + Business Economics (FBE)
Leventhal School of Accounting (ACCT)
Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies (BAEP)
Management and Organization (MOR)
Marketing (MKT)
Institutes + Centers
Peter Arkley Institute for Risk Management
Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab
Center for Investment Studies
Initiative on Digital Competition
Randall R. Kendrick Global Supply Chain Institute
Center for Effective Organizations
Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
VanEck Digital Assets Initiative
Institute for Outlier Research in Business
Center for Global Innovation
Neely Center for Ethical Leadership and Decision Making
Trojan Network
Recruiting
Undergraduate
Graduate
Career Services
Giving + Support
Alumni Engagement + Resources
Student Organizations
Commencement
MS Social Entrepreneurship
Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship
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.
Whether for-profit or nonprofit, enterprises that balance social missions with financial missions can offer innovative antidotes to problems in education, health care, poverty and health. Social entrepreneurs are designing and managing these impact organizations. From global microfinance to mission-based pharmaceutical companies to local workforce development programs, enterprises and programs across the globe "look, smell and taste" like businesses while holding social mission as the driving force.
With a Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship from the Marshall School of Business, you will experience a business education geared to the unique aspects of social impact. You will be prepared uniquely to become a leader in the field. You will balance your head and heart as you embark on a career with meaning and attack the most pressing global challenges.
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 nine required courses and two 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.
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 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 is the Executive Director of the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab and teaches BAEP 471 and 571, courses in which interdisciplinary teams of students use design thinking to create products for underresourced communities in California.
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 2023 Application is now open. Applications received after the deadlines are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.Round 1 Deadline*: December 1, 2022Round 2 Deadline: March 1, 2023Round 3 Deadline**: April 30, 2023*International applicants should apply by the round 1 deadline to ensure enough time for immigration process.**Domestic applicants and international applicants who already have a valid student visa may apply by the round 3 deadline.
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
This includes improving students’ academic, professional, and social experience during their time here at USC Marshall. Some of the MSSE SA initiatives include:
STAY CONNECTED
Contact
MS Social Entrepreneurship3670 Trousdale Parkway, BRI 105Marshall School of BusinessUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA 90089-08031-213-740-7587EMAIL