MS in Social Entrepreneurship (MSSE)
MS Social Entrepreneurship
Are you ready to fuse the rigor of business strategy with the heart of social impact? At USC Marshall, the MSSE equips you with the tools to lead with both head and heart—to launch ventures and initiatives that address the issues you’re passionate about: education inequality, healthcare accessibility, poverty, and more through innovative, mission-driven action.
Innovative + Unique
USC Marshall’s MSSE is the first of its kind at a U.S. business school—one of very few graduate degrees worldwide dedicated exclusively to social entrepreneurship. You’ll be pioneering alongside peers, faculty, and organizations transforming global communities.
Built for Impact
Seamlessly blending core business disciplines—like accounting, finance, marketing, and strategic planning—with social innovation, design thinking, and feasibility analysis for social ventures, the 30-unit curriculum prepares you to build or lead socially driven organizations with confidence and insight.
Anchored in Real-World Purpose
Fueled by thought leadership at the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab and taught by USC Marshall faculty—leaders in research and practice—you’ll engage in immersive projects and experiential learning that unlock tangible social change.
MSSE AT A GLANCE
STUDENT LIFE + IMPACT COMMUNITY
The MSSE Student Association powers connection and growth—facilitating mentorship, career workshops, alumni spotlights, networking events, and social gatherings. It’s a living ecosystem of support and collaboration, from day one onward.
The MSSE Student Association powers connection and growth—facilitating mentorship, career workshops, alumni spotlights, networking events, and social gatherings. It’s a living ecosystem of support and collaboration, from day one onward.
MSSE FACULTY
Courtney Brunious is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Management and Organization in the Department of Management and Organization. He teaches courses in strategy, sports business, and leadership, leveraging his experience in executive roles in the sports business industry to bring real world insights into the classroom. He has continued to study the sports business industry for years and has provided insight into issues ranging from sports anchored real estate development to technology. He has also spoken on or moderated panels at the USC Body Computing Conference, NBPA Tech Summit, and USC Marshall Diversity conference. His media work has included appearances on the CBS evening news and KTLA as well as radio and print such as NPR, CNBC, ESPN, Variety, Fast Company, the Los Angeles Times, and the Los Angeles Business Journal.
Professor DeFond is the A. N. Mosich Chair of Accounting, Leventhal School, University of Southern California. His research investigates issues in auditing, international accounting, and earnings management.
Dr. Jennifer Walske is a research fellow within the Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, and an adjunct professor at USC Marshall, and a recipient of the Golden Apple award for graduate instruction. As a writer, researcher and investor, Dr. Walske sits on for profit and non-profit boards. Her research centers on the funding and scaling of startups. Dr. Walske has received numerous research and teaching awards including the “best paper” award from NYU Stern’s Social Entrepreneurship Conference and the Cheit Award for Teaching Excellence at Berkeley Haas. Dr. Walske was previously both the Faculty Director of the GSVC and the Director of Social Entrepreneurship at Berkeley Haas, and the Faculty Director of UCLA Anderson’s Center for Impact. She teaches entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship and impact investing at USC Marshall and serves as the faculty lead for MIINT at USC. Prior to her academic career, Dr. Walske was an institutional All American ranked investment banking securities analyst and a regular commentator on both CNN and CNBC. Prior to that, she held senior corporate and product marketing roles within the software industry. She has both a DBA and MBA degree.
NEWS + ANALYSIS
NEWS + EVENTS
USC Marshall Alumna’s Tiny Homes Bridge Gaps in Affordable Family Housing
Rebecca Borough ’16 takes lessons from the MSSE program to Tiny Topanga.
From Taiwan to Los Angeles, Social Entrepreneurship Student Builds Legacy at USC Marshall
Recent graduate Rikke Yeh moves beyond the familiar to foster growth, innovation.
USC Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab Talks Transportation Equity Ahead of 2028 Olympics
Experts from the L.A. Metro and more discuss sustainability, accessibility, and community infrastructure improvements in Los Angeles.
ATHENA Women’s Entrepreneurship Summit Highlights Resilience Among Founders
Entrepreneurs from across industries gathered at USC Marshall for an all-day conference focused on “LA 2025 and Beyond | Resilience.”
USC Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab and Greif Center Host Pitch Contest Aimed at Global Impact
At USC’s Hult Prize Competition, students presented ideas toward United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for a chance at $1 million.
INSIGHT + ANALYSIS
Featured: Jill Kickul Showcased on USC News
A profile of KICKUL, professor of clinical entrepreneurship, details how sports helped guide her views and approach to challenges in life early on and have empowered her to champion progress ever since.
Cited: Brittingham Research Featured on See Change
Work done examining cognitive and emotional responses to crowdfunded campaigns by co-authors KICKUL and Jacqueline Orr is showcased on SEA CHANGE.
Kevin Kassel '17 Profiled by USC News
KASSEL, a double major in business and environmental studies, founded Club H2O and Aqus — a company devoted to deliver water filters to developing countries currently dependent upon boiling or buying water.
STAY CONNECTED
