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    Civic Futures Lab: Research, Dialogue and Action for the Common Good
    In-person Program

    Civic Futures Lab: Research, Dialogue and Action for the Common Good

    by USC Pre-College

    Civic Futures Lab is a civics summer program combining public-issue research, constructive dialogue and a final civic portfolio.

    Last verified: 5 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Civic Futures Lab at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    High school; ninth grade completed

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 15-18

    Location / Region

    Los Angeles, United States

    Cost

    $8,130; $11,570; $12,208

    Duration

    4 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next session

    21 June-15 July 2027

    Save program
    PoliticsLaw & justiceSocial SciencesEthics
    Accommodation: Shared university residence-hall rooms
    Meals: Residential: three dining-hall meals daily
    Campus experience: Libraries, computer labs and field trips
    Residential options: Residential or eligible local commuter
    Academic outcome: Three elective credits; civic portfolio
    Tutors / faculty: USC faculty, staff and guest speakers
    Instruction / cadence: 5-6 hours daily; 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

    Civic Futures Lab summary

    Civic Futures Lab connects public-issue research with constructive dialogue and realistic local action. It asks students to test claims and weigh tradeoffs before proposing change.

    The experience combines simulations, stakeholder mapping, museum visits and guest speakers with a final civic portfolio. It suits students who want to move from opinions toward evidence-based public argument.

    What is Civic Futures Lab: Research, Dialogue and Action for the Common Good?

    Civic Futures Lab: Research, Dialogue and Action for the Common Good is a USC Pre-College summer course about investigating public problems and responding thoughtfully. Its academic focus connects public policy, law, journalism, education, health and environmental studies through issues such as human rights, immigration and climate change.

    Students research sources, evaluate competing claims and practice dialogue across differences. Simulations, deliberation labs, stakeholder mapping and visits to learning spaces and community organizations connect classroom analysis with civic practice, culminating in a portfolio and showcase.

    Why Succeed highlights Civic Futures Lab

    • The course links source evaluation to constructive dialogue, making civic research more demanding than simply defending an opinion.

    • Its progression from human rights to inquiry, deliberation and action gives students a clear academic thread.

    • Museum visits, librarian workshops and USC guest speakers connect research with institutions and community perspectives.

    • A final civic portfolio gives students concrete work to reflect on after the course.

    • Successful completion earns three units of university elective credit.

    Who is Civic Futures Lab for?

    Best for

    Students curious about public policy, law or journalism who enjoy research, discussion and collaborative problem solving.

    Not ideal if

    You want a light activity camp or prefer to avoid active discussion, evidence-based writing and full-day academic commitments.

    Is Civic Futures Lab worth it?

    This is a strong fit if you want to test an interest in civic research through sustained academic work. The combination of inquiry, deliberation, field visits and a portfolio gives you several ways to assess whether public-facing study suits you.

    The financial commitment deserves careful comparison with other programs, especially because USC offers no financial aid or assistance. Treat elective credit and possible recommendation letters as academic benefits; participation does not guarantee university admission, and another college may decline to accept the credits.

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $8,130; $11,570; $12,208; includes Five to six hours of daily course instruction., Academic field trips, textbooks and instructor-requested materials., On-campus social activities and off-campus recreational trips., Student Health Center access., Residential tier: shared residence-hall room and dining-hall meal plan., Residential tier: academic-trip meals and specified Saturday trip meals., Three units of elective credit upon successful completion..

    Accommodation

    Shared university residence-hall rooms

    Meals

    Residential: three dining-hall meals daily

    Supervision or safety information

    You investigate issues such as human rights, policing and safety, gun violence prevention, immigration, hate speech and climate change. Activities include source evaluation, deliberation, stakeholder mapping and local action design.

    Provider details

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

    Dates and logistics

    4 weeks; Los Angeles, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

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

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    How much preparation does Civic Futures Lab need?

    Effort level

    High, with full-day instruction and collaborative research.

    Best started

    Begin planning several months before the announced summer session, allowing time for an essay, school documents and any visa process.

    Main challenge

    Turning a broad public concern into a focused, evidence-supported civic argument.

    Typical preparation

    • Choose a public issue you care about and compare several credible accounts of it.

    • Practice explaining a competing viewpoint fairly before responding to it.

    • Arrange a recommender and transcript request early enough for school staff to respond.

    • Plan laptop access, accommodation and any international travel requirements with your family.

    Useful if

    You want to test an academic interest in public policy or related fields.

    What do students do on Civic Futures Lab?

    You move from understanding human rights to researching a chosen public issue, discussing competing viewpoints and designing informed civic action. The work brings together classroom inquiry, workshops, field visits and a final portfolio showcase.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore human rights, sustainable development goals and social movements through inquiry and museum visits.

    2. 2

      Choose a civic issue with your group and build a research plan using library, archive and other credible sources.

    3. 3

      Map sources and stakeholders to identify competing claims and institutional influences.

    4. 4

      Practice deliberation, draft a civic statement and assemble evidence cards.

    5. 5

      Develop and present a civic portfolio, then reflect on realistic pathways for action.

    Civic Futures Lab dates and deadlines

    Application deadline

    8 May 2026

    Domestic applicants; 3 p.m., labeled PST by USC.

    Past

    Summer 2026

    22 June-17 July 2026

    Program dates published by the application portal.

    Past

    Summer 2027

    21 June-15 July 2027

    USC Summer Programs schedule.

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • High school students who have completed at least ninth grade.

    • Domestic and international applicants may apply.

    • Applicants should pursue a rigorous high school curriculum.

    • Attendance at every class meeting is required.

    • International applicants need accepted English proficiency evidence or a waiver.

    • Participants must bring their own laptops.

    • Active discussion and collaborative work are expected.

    • International participants and participants living abroad must reside on campus.

    How much does Civic Futures Lab cost?

    Domestic commuter fee

    $8,130 — Estimated 2026 total.

    Funding or discounts

    • Domestic residential fee: $11,570 — Estimated 2026 total with room and board.
    • International residential fee: $12,208 — Estimated 2026 USC total.
    • Application fee: $85 — Nonrefundable.
    • Deposit: $1,000 — Nonrefundable; applied to the program total.
    • Financial aid: Not offered

    What's included

    Five to six hours of daily course instruction., Academic field trips, textbooks and instructor-requested materials., On-campus social activities and off-campus recreational trips., Student Health Center access., Residential tier: shared residence-hall room and dining-hall meal plan., Residential tier: academic-trip meals and specified Saturday trip meals., Three units of elective credit upon successful completion.

    How to apply to Civic Futures Lab

    1. 1

      Create an account or log in through the official USC Summer Programs portal.

    2. 2

      Complete the application with an email address you check frequently and select your course preferences.

    3. 3

      Write your own 300–500 word essay using a prompt in the portal.

    4. 4

      Request an online recommendation from a teacher, counselor or mentor.

    5. 5

      Ask a school official to upload your PDF high school transcript.

    6. 6

      Provide English proficiency evidence or a waiver if you are an international applicant.

    7. 7

      Pay the $85 application fee, complete every task and click Submit.

    8. 8

      After acceptance, pay the deposit and complete assigned supplementary forms.

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    What does Civic Futures Lab cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Human Rights

    Explore human rights, sustainable development goals, social movements and civic action through inquiry and museum visits.

    Inquiry

    Choose a civic issue, build a group research plan and map sources using librarian workshops and archive visits.

    Deliberation

    Practice moving beyond polarization through civic statement drafting, evidence cards and a USC Center for Political Futures guest speaker.

    Action and Reflection

    Connect informed action with reflection through an Annenberg Critical Media project guest speaker, portfolio showcase and presentations.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Civic Futures Lab?

    A typical day during the program.

    Academic day

    Five to six instructional hours, with breaks for lunch or field trips.

    Residential activities

    Residential advisors and staff supervise activities such as games, socials and outdoor movies.

    Recreational trips

    Organized excursions may visit local beaches, theme parks or sporting events.

    Residence hall curfew

    The residential rules apply every night, including weekends.

    Who teaches on Civic Futures Lab?

    USC Summer Programs courses are taught by USC faculty and experienced professionals from the university's academic community. Civic Futures Lab lists USC librarian workshops and guest speakers from the Shoah Foundation, Center for Political Futures and Annenberg Critical Media project.

    Where do students stay on Civic Futures Lab?

    Residential plan

    • Residence-hall rooms: Shared rooms have gender-specific roommate and floormate assignments.
    • Meal plan: Room and board covers dining-hall meals and specified academic and Saturday trip meals.
    • Residential support: Live-in advisors are available at all times, with USCard access and 24/7 public-safety patrols.
    • Evenings and weekends: Supervised socials, games and recreational excursions complement academic study.

    Non-residential plan

    • Local commuter option: Eligible participants live with a parent or guardian in Los Angeles or Orange County.
    • Commuter activities: Commuters attend academic sessions and can join organized activities under the program's permission rules.
    • Commuter dining: Meals can be purchased separately; no commuter meal plan is offered.

    Roommate requests cannot be accommodated; international participants and participants living abroad must reside on campus.

    What happens after Civic Futures Lab?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Develop a final civic portfolio with clear claims and supporting evidence.

    Present your work at a portfolio showcase.

    Earn three units of elective credit upon successful completion.

    Request an official graded transcript through USC's registrar.

    Potentially gain a recommendation letter from USC faculty or staff.

    Recommendation letters are not guaranteed, and another college decides whether to accept the elective credits.

    Where does Civic Futures Lab take place?

    The program uses USC's University Park Campus in Los Angeles, with access to library reading rooms, computer labs and the Student Health Center. Civic Futures Lab adds museum, library and archive visits that connect public issues with local institutions.

    Commuters must use USC Summer Programs transportation for academic and recreational field trips.

    Civic Futures Lab FAQs

    You investigate issues such as human rights, policing and safety, gun violence prevention, immigration, hate speech and climate change. Activities include source evaluation, deliberation, stakeholder mapping and local action design.

    Yes. Participants must bring their own laptops and be prepared for active discussion and collaborative work.

    USC describes five to six instructional hours per day. The daily class window is 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., including breaks for lunch or field trips.

    Successful completion awards three units of university elective credit. Transfer is possible, but the receiving college decides whether to accept the credits.

    Eligible local participants can commute while living with a parent or legal guardian in Los Angeles or Orange County. International participants and domestic participants living abroad must reside on campus.

    Residential advisors live in the halls and are available at all times. USC also provides 24/7 public-safety patrols, USCard-controlled access and a 10 p.m. residence-hall curfew.

    USC Summer Programs does not offer financial aid or assistance. USC employee tuition benefits also do not apply.

    No. Participation does not guarantee admission to USC or its schools. Successful students earn elective credit and may have opportunities to obtain recommendation letters from faculty or staff.

    Alternatives to Civic Futures Lab

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Summer Programs Application Management
    • USC Summer Programs Transcripts | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs International Application | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs Policies | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs FAQs | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Residential and Commuter Experience | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs Overview | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs Application and Admission | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs | USC Pre-College
    • Civics Summer Program | 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)

    • Course curriculum reviewed

    • Application portal checked

    • Cycle dates distinguished

    • Fee tiers compared

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Residential policies checked

    • Credit conditions 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.