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    Building Blocks of Business: Tools for Creating a Dynamic and Sustainable Business
    Online Program

    Building Blocks of Business: Tools for Creating a Dynamic and Sustainable Business

    by USC Pre-College

    USC's online business course connects accounting, marketing, leadership and finance through real-company analysis and an investor-style comparison of two business models.

    Last verified: 5 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Building Blocks of Business at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Closing soon

    Eligibility

    High school or secondary students

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14+

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $1,990

    Duration

    4 weeks; up to 90 days

    Format

    Online

    Next application deadline

    7 October 2026

    Save deadline
    Business & EconomicsFinance
    Language: English
    Sessions / cadence: 5 self-paced modules; 20-25 total hours
    Mentor model: USC Mentor for content questions
    Assessment style: 5 knowledge checks; 70% pass
    Main deliverable / output: Comparison of two business models
    Certificate: USC Certificate of Completion
    Time-zone / scheduling model: Study on your own schedule

    Building Blocks of Business summary

    USC Pre-College connects accounting, marketing, leadership and finance through real business examples and the Business Model Canvas.

    You work through recorded content, simulations and assignments, then compare two business models from an investor's perspective.

    It suits independent learners who want a broad introduction to business and a practical way to test their interest in the subject.

    What is Building Blocks of Business: Tools for Creating a Dynamic and Sustainable Business?

    Building Blocks of Business: Tools for Creating a Dynamic and Sustainable Business is a USC Pre-College course exploring how different business functions fit together. It covers accounting, marketing, leadership, strategy, data analytics and finance through real-company examples, with contributions from USC Marshall School of Business instructors and industry experts.

    The self-paced online experience combines recorded lectures, readings, simulations and assignments. Students use the Business Model Canvas to understand business design and finish by comparing two business models as an investor would.

    Why Succeed highlights Building Blocks of Business

    • The Business Model Canvas gives students a concrete framework for connecting business functions.

    • The final comparison asks students to justify an investment judgment rather than simply recall definitions.

    • Michael Paranal brings accounting teaching and professional legal and financial experience to the course.

    • Retakable module checks let students revisit concepts while working toward clear certificate requirements.

    Who is Building Blocks of Business for?

    Best for

    Independent learners who want to understand how real businesses connect customers, operations and financial decisions.

    Not ideal if

    You need college credit or prefer scheduled live classes to independent coursework.

    Is Building Blocks of Business worth it?

    The course is worth considering if you want a structured introduction that links business theory to company decisions. Its strongest learning feature is the final comparison, which asks you to explain profitability using the concepts you have studied.

    The tuition is substantial for a short independent course, so the value depends on how actively you use the assignments and mentor access. The certificate records completion, but the course carries no college credit and does not confer an admissions advantage at USC.

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    Founder, Succeed

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $1,990; includes Access to the chosen online course and materials for up to three months., Recorded lectures, readings, simulations and assignments., USC Mentor access for course-content questions., USC Certificate of Completion after meeting course requirements., Course transcript on request..

    Dates and time commitment

    4 weeks; up to 90 days; 5 self-paced modules; 20-25 total hours.

    Provider details

    Review the USC Pre-College provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: The main applied output is an investor-style comparison of two business models and their profit potential.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    You can contact a USC Mentor to ask clarifying questions. The learning platform also includes chat features and messages from mentors and staff.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

    Compare with similar programs

    How much preparation does Building Blocks of Business need?

    Effort level

    Moderate, with approximately 20-25 hours of independent coursework.

    Best started

    Begin preparing a few weeks before your chosen intake's application deadline, allowing three to five business days for admission review.

    Main challenge

    Explaining why one business model has stronger profit potential.

    Typical preparation

    • Draft a clear explanation of why you want to study business.

    • Gather your contact information and your parent or guardian's details.

    • Plan roughly five to six hours a week if aiming for four-week completion.

    • Choose a familiar company to practice identifying customers, resources and sources of revenue.

    Useful if

    You want to test your interest in business before choosing further study.

    What do students do on Building Blocks of Business?

    You study how businesses create value and sustain their operations through recorded lessons, readings, simulations and assignments. The work culminates in an investor-style comparison that draws the different business disciplines together.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Work through five modules covering business concepts and real-company examples.

    2. 2

      Use the Business Model Canvas to examine business building blocks.

    3. 3

      Complete readings, simulations, assignments and module knowledge checks.

    4. 4

      Compare two business models and explain which has greater profit potential.

    5. 5

      Complete the required coursework and pass each knowledge check to qualify for the certificate.

    Building Blocks of Business dates and deadlines

    September intake 1 application deadline

    9 September 2026

    Past

    September intake 2 application deadline

    23 September 2026

    Past

    October intake 2 application deadline

    21 October 2026

    Upcoming

    November intake 1 application deadline

    4 November 2026

    Upcoming

    November intake 2 application deadline

    18 November 2026

    Upcoming

    December intake 1 application deadline

    2 December 2026

    Upcoming

    December intake 2 application deadline

    16 December 2026

    Upcoming

    September intake 1

    14 September 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 14 September 2026.

    Past

    September intake 2

    28 September 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 28 September 2026.

    Past

    October intake 1

    12 October 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 12 October 2026.

    Upcoming

    October intake 2

    26 October 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 26 October 2026.

    Upcoming

    November intake 1

    9 November 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 9 November 2026.

    Upcoming

    November intake 2

    23 November 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 23 November 2026.

    Upcoming

    December intake 1

    7 December 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 7 December 2026.

    Upcoming

    December intake 2

    21 December 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 21 December 2026.

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Applicants must be at least 14 years old.

    • Applicants must be enrolled in high school or secondary education.

    • International applicants must be proficient in English.

    • Other applicants may request an exemption by email.

    How much does Building Blocks of Business cost?

    Course tuition

    $1,990 — Course and materials access for up to three months.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $35 — Separate, nonrefundable fee.
    • NAI scholarship: Full scholarship — Described for qualifying NAI summer-session students in grades 9-12.

    What's included

    Access to the chosen online course and materials for up to three months., Recorded lectures, readings, simulations and assignments., USC Mentor access for course-content questions., USC Certificate of Completion after meeting course requirements., Course transcript on request.

    How to apply to Building Blocks of Business

    1. 1

      Create an account or log in through USC's online application portal.

    2. 2

      Select the business course and your preferred start date.

    3. 3

      Provide your contact information and your parent or guardian's details.

    4. 4

      Complete the short-answer essay about yourself and your interest in the course.

    5. 5

      Optionally share writing, video or social media content that reveals something about you.

    6. 6

      Submit the application and pay the $35 application fee.

    7. 7

      After admission, pay tuition by your intake's deadline and sign the Letter of Understanding.

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    Learning format

    The course is completed independently online through five modules of recorded lectures, readings, simulations, knowledge checks and assignments, totaling approximately 20-25 hours. USC expects completion in four weeks, with up to 90 days of access; its learning platform includes course materials, chat features and mentor or staff messages.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Learn from featured faculty member Michael Paranal, USC's Master of Business Taxation academic director.

    • Hear from USC Marshall School of Business instructors and industry experts.

    • Contact a USC Mentor with clarifying questions about course content.

    • Use platform chat features and messages from mentors and staff.

    Time-zone considerations

    • Recorded content and assignments are completed at your own pace.
    • Plan for approximately 20-25 total coursework hours.
    • Domestic and international applicants use the same online application.
    • Course access lasts up to 90 days from the selected start date.

    Tech requirements

    • Use a computer, tablet or phone.

    • Have an internet connection.

    • Access the course through a web browser.

    • Follow the emailed platform-access instructions after paying tuition.

    Assessment style

    Assessment combines module knowledge checks, coursework assignments and a culminating business-model comparison.

    • Complete a multiple-choice knowledge check at the end of each module.
    • Score at least 70% on each of the five knowledge checks.
    • Retake knowledge checks as needed.
    • Complete all modules and required coursework for the certificate.
    • Explain which of two business models has greater profit potential.

    Portfolio / outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    The main applied output is an investor-style comparison of two business models and their profit potential.

    • USC Certificate of Completion after meeting the requirements.

    • USC Pre-College Programs course transcript on request.

    Building Blocks of Business FAQs

    Topics include value propositions and business strategy, customers and marketing, operations, resources and supply chain, finance, accounting and data analytics.

    USC estimates 20-25 hours of recorded lectures, readings and assignments. Students are expected to finish in four weeks, with up to 90 days of course access.

    You take an investor's perspective and analyze two business models, explaining which has greater profit potential and why.

    Complete all five modules and required coursework, and score at least 70% on each module's knowledge check. You can retake knowledge checks as needed.

    No. This is a non-credit certificate course, with a USC Certificate of Completion for qualifying students and a course transcript on request.

    You can contact a USC Mentor to ask clarifying questions. The learning platform also includes chat features and messages from mentors and staff.

    A computer, tablet or phone with an internet connection and a web browser can access the course materials.

    Completion can demonstrate your interest in business, but it does not guarantee admission or special preference in USC's admissions process.

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • USC Online Application Management
    • USC Online Exploration Courses Policies | USC Pre-College
    • USC Pre-College Online FAQs | USC Pre-College
    • Online Building Blocks of Business Course | USC Pre-College
    • Online Building Blocks of Business Course | USC Pre-College

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 5 Oct 2026)

    • Official course page checked

    • Intake deadlines checked

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Tuition and fees checked

    • Certificate requirements reviewed

    • Funding conflict identified

    • Refund terms reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.