What are some of your school's core values and how do they come across in the courses and programs that you offer?
Whether a prospective student is a pragmatist looking for a rewarding career or an idealist who wants to change the world (or a bit of both), the USC Sol Price of Public Policy welcomes those who are looking to improve the quality of life in communities worldwide. Our students learn by doing, collaborating on equitable and just solutions that contribute to the future of global society. Consistently ranked among the top five schools of its kind, USC Price emphasizes finding mutual understanding among people from diverse backgrounds and values. The school encourages students to explore their ideals as they develop the practical skills necessary to create effective solutions grounded in evidence.
The school is home to more than a dozen affiliated research centers that focus on everything from homelessness policy to healthcare. Students can earn the compelling opportunity to assist in some of these centers’ prolific research or join a faculty member on in-progress research studies. This type of direct experience is second-to-none. Read more about our faculty’s distinguished research here.
USC Price faculty and students research a wide array of contemporary policy issues, from social policy and justice, to sustainability, economic development, transportation, and more.
The USC Price School is located in the heart of Los Angeles – a global city representing more than 140 nationalities and 200 languages, making it one of the most diverse and vibrant cities in the world. Thanks to this location, USC Price students can expand their networks to include the top leaders of local public, private and nonprofit organizations. They work with these visionaries as a part of class and capstone projects. At the student-to-student level, there are options to participate in our engaging student body, with numerous USC Price student organizations and opportunities for leadership roles.
In the undergraduate and two-year master’s programs, students work on team-based consulting projects for organizations on real-time management, policy or urban planning problems. Students interested in global issues are encouraged to participate in exchange programs or in our international labs, where they will serve as consultants to a client in a foreign country.
From degree to career, USC Price students are supported every step of the way by our career counselors and faculty noted for their dedication to their students’ success. Through our Career Services professional development programs, workshops, networking events, and job fairs, our students compete well on the job market and attain prestigious post-graduate placements. Upon graduation, USC Price alumni go on to shape society through their engagement in public policy to improve the quality of life for communities worldwide.
What types of programs do you offer?
The USC Price School offers graduate and undergraduate programs in public policy, public administration, health policy and management, nonprofit management, real estate development, and urban planning.
Most students attend residential programs at the University Park Campus in Los Angeles. Three of our graduate programs are offered as online programs.
Undergraduate Programs
• Bachelor of Science, Public Policy
• Bachelor of Science, Urban Studies and Planning
• Bachelor of Science, Real Estate Development
Master’s Programs
• Master of Health Administration
• Executive Master of Health Administration – Online
• Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Management
• Executive Master of Leadership
• Master of Public Administration
• Master of Public Administration – Online
• Master of Public Policy
• Master of Science in Public Policy Data Science
• Master of International Public Policy and Management
• Dollinger Master of Real Estate Development
• Master of Urban Planning
• Executive Master of Urban Planning – Online
Doctoral Programs
• Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy and Management (Ph.D.)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Planning and Development (Ph.D.)
• Doctor of Policy, Planning, and Development (DPPD)
The USC Price School also offers several specialized executive education and leadership programs, as well as graduate certificate programs.
What is something unique about your institution?
Our mission is to improve the quality of life for people and their communities, here and abroad. We achieve this through education and research that promote innovative solutions to the most critical issues facing society, with a particular focus on governance, urban development, and social policy.
Our distinctive composition of academic degree programs and interdisciplinary research and our supportive culture make USC Price a great place to work. USC is one of the world’s premiere research universities, and USC Price is a major contributor to the university’s reputation. Our school supports an array of thematic research centers, ranking third overall in funded research at USC on a per-faculty basis.
USC Price faculty are distinguished scholars and professionals who share a deep and abiding commitment to research and teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels. As a top-tier academic enterprise within the global community of Los Angeles, USC Price is a dynamic place to teach and pursue research.