Introduction to Business — Summer 2026
22 June-17 July 2026
Reference session for the 2026 fee and policy details.
In-person Program
Introduction to Business
USC's business summer program combines finance, marketing and leadership with a team company analysis and pitch, helping students test their interest in business.
Last verified: 5 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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Introduction to Business at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
High school; completed ninth grade
Age range / Year group
Ages 15-18
Location / Region
University of Southern California, University Park Campus, Los Angeles
Cost
$8,130; $11,570; $12,208
Duration
4 weeks
Format
In-person
Business & EconomicsFinanceEntrepreneurship
Accommodation: Shared university residence-hall rooms
Meals: Residential: three dining-hall meals daily
Campus experience: Libraries, computer labs and activities
Residential requirement: Mandatory for international participants
Credit / Outcome: 3 units of elective credit
Tutors / Faculty: USC faculty and industry experts
Sessions / cadence: Daily 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; 5–6 instructional hours
Introduction to Business summary
Introduction to Business explores how companies operate, create value and grow through finance, marketing, analytics and leadership.
Students connect with USC faculty and industry experts, then work in teams to analyze a real company and pitch data-driven solutions.
It suits students who want to test their interest in business through applied work and a university classroom experience.
What is Introduction to Business?
Introduction to Business is a USC Pre-College course that connects business fundamentals with practical company decisions. Students study accounting and finance, marketing, product design, data analytics, strategy and leadership, and business responsibility.
The course brings USC faculty and industry perspectives into an in-person learning experience in Los Angeles. Students develop knowledge of managing and growing a small business, then work together on a capstone company analysis and pitch.
Why Succeed highlights Introduction to Business
The team capstone turns business concepts into a concrete company analysis and pitch.
Finance, marketing, analytics and ethics give students several ways to explore their business interests.
USC faculty and industry connections link classroom learning with professional decisions.
Three units of elective credit provide an academic outcome beyond participation.
Who is Introduction to Business for?
Best for
Students who want a broad business foundation and enjoy teamwork, company analysis and presenting ideas.
Not ideal if
You want a light summer activity or a specialist course focused entirely on one business discipline.
Is Introduction to Business worth it?
The strongest reason to choose this course is the combination of business breadth and applied teamwork. A company analysis and pitch can help students discover whether they enjoy turning evidence into business recommendations.
Its value depends on engaging with the classes and capstone rather than treating participation as an admissions advantage. The financial commitment is substantial, financial aid is not offered, and neither USC admission nor credit transfer is guaranteed.
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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 Course instruction and three units of elective credit upon successful completion., Textbooks, course materials and academic field trips., On-campus social activities and off-campus recreational trips., Student health-center access., Residential option: shared residence-hall room and dining-hall meal plan., Residential option: meals on academic trips and two Saturday meals before recreational trips., International residential total: required USC insurance and applicable I-20 administration..
Accommodation
Shared university residence-hall rooms
Meals
Residential: three dining-hall meals daily
Supervision or safety information
Residential advisors live in the halls and are available at all times. Residence and dining halls require a USCard, and campus public safety provides 24/7 patrol services.
Provider details
Review the USC Pre-College provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
4 weeks; University of Southern California, University Park Campus, Los Angeles.
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.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Introduction to Business need?
Effort level
High, with full class days and a team capstone.
Best started
Begin several weeks before November's application-information release; allow extra months for international travel planning.
Main challenge
Turning company evidence into a clear, persuasive team recommendation.
Typical preparation
Give your recommender and school administrator time to prepare their submissions.
Draft the application essay yourself and explain your interest in business.
Plan for the required laptop and professional capstone attire.
International applicants should prepare English-proficiency documents and review visa requirements before booking travel.
Useful if
You want to test business study through practical problem solving.
What do students do on Introduction to Business?
You connect business concepts with the decisions companies make about growth, customers and resources. The course culminates in a team analysis of a real company and a pitch of data-driven solutions.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Build knowledge across finance, marketing, product design, analytics, leadership and business ethics.
- 2
Connect classroom ideas with insights from USC faculty and industry experts.
- 3
Work with a team to analyze a real company for the capstone.
- 4
Present your business analysis and proposed solutions in professional business attire.
Introduction to Business dates and deadlines
Past
Introduction to Business — Summer 2027
21 June-15 July 2027
USC Summer Programs' announced session; application information follows in November.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Introduction to Business — Summer 2026 | 22 June-17 July 2026 | Local | Past | |
Introduction to Business — Summer 2027 | 21 June-15 July 2027 | Local | Upcoming |
Eligibility and requirements
Complete at least ninth grade before the program starts.
Be a domestic or international high school student.
Pursue a rigorous high school curriculum.
Attend all classes; late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through testing or a waiver.
Commuters must live with parents or guardians locally.
International participants and domestic students living abroad must reside on campus.
Bring your own laptop.
Wear professional business attire for the capstone.
How much does Introduction to Business cost?
Application fee
$85 — Nonrefundable.
Funding or discounts
- Domestic commuter: $8,130 — 2026 estimated program total.
- Domestic residential: $11,570 — 2026 estimate including room and board.
- International residential: $12,208 — 2026 estimated USC total; government fees additional.
- Deposit: $1,000 — Nonrefundable; applied to the program total.
- Financial aid: Not offered
- Visa application: $185 — Government charge where applicable.
- SEVIS I-901: $350 — Government charge where applicable.
What's included
Course instruction and three units of elective credit upon successful completion., Textbooks, course materials and academic field trips., On-campus social activities and off-campus recreational trips., Student health-center access., Residential option: shared residence-hall room and dining-hall meal plan., Residential option: meals on academic trips and two Saturday meals before recreational trips., International residential total: required USC insurance and applicable I-20 administration.
How to apply to Introduction to Business
- 1
Create an account in the official USC Summer Programs portal using your legal name and a regularly checked email address.
- 2
Choose Introduction to Business as a course preference; applicants may list three choices but enroll in only one.
- 3
Write the required 300–500-word essay yourself.
- 4
Request an online recommendation from a teacher, counselor or mentor.
- 5
Ask a school administrator to upload your PDF high school transcript.
- 6
Provide English-proficiency evidence or a waiver if you are an international applicant.
- 7
Pay the $85 application fee, complete every task, review your application and select Submit.
- 8
If accepted, follow the deposit and supplementary-form instructions.
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What does Introduction to Business cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Accounting and finance
Study how accounting and finance contribute to running and growing a business.
Marketing and product design
Explore marketing and product design as parts of how companies create value.
Data analytics
Apply data-driven thinking and business analytics to solve problems.
Strategy and leadership
Examine company strategy while developing teamwork, communication and leadership.
Ethics and sustainability
Study business ethics, sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Introduction to Business?
A typical day during the program.
Academic classes
Five to six instructional hours, with breaks for lunch or Los Angeles field trips.
Independent study
Students can study in campus libraries or use recreational facilities.
Residential activities
Residential advisors and staff supervise social activities such as games and outdoor movies.
Recreational excursions
Trips may include beaches, theme parks or sports events.
Who teaches on Introduction to Business?
The course connects students with USC faculty and industry experts who bring practical business perspectives into the classroom. Previous course programming has included a sports-and-entertainment panel with ESPN and NFL professionals.
Where do students stay on Introduction to Business?
Residential plan
- Shared residence-hall room: Students live in shared university rooms with gender-specific roommate and floormate assignments.
- Residential meal plan: Room and board covers dining-hall meals, academic-trip meals and two Saturday meals before recreational trips.
- Residential support and security: Live-in advisors are available at all times, with USCard-controlled halls and 24/7 campus patrols.
- Activities and campus resources: Students can use libraries and computer labs and join supervised evening activities and weekend excursions.
Non-residential plan
- Local commuter option: Eligible students live with a parent or guardian in Los Angeles or Orange County and attend all academic sessions.
- Commuter activities and transport: Commuters may join evening activities with parent permission and must use program transport for field trips.
- Commuter dining: Commuters purchase meals separately; a commuter meal plan is not offered.
Roommate requests cannot be accommodated; residential hall return is required by 10 p.m., with lights out at 11:30 p.m.
What happens after Introduction to Business?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Earn three units of elective credit upon successful completion.
Complete a team business analysis and company pitch.
Request an official graded transcript through USC's registrar.
Build connections with faculty, industry experts and peers.
Potentially obtain college recommendation letters from USC faculty and staff.
Recommendation letters are not guaranteed, and credit transfer depends on the receiving institution.
Where does Introduction to Business take place?
The program takes place at USC's University Park Campus in Los Angeles, with access to campus libraries, computer labs and student health services. The course connects business learning with the city's entertainment and sports industries; previous students have visited SoFi Stadium.
International participants arrange their own travel; early-arrival and late-departure accommodation is not offered.
Introduction to Business FAQs
Topics include accounting and finance, marketing, product design, data analytics, strategy and leadership, and ethics, sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
Students work in teams to analyze a real company and pitch data-driven solutions in a Capstone Case Competition.
Successful completion earns three units of elective credit. Other colleges decide whether to accept those units for transfer.
Eligible local participants may commute while living with a parent or legal guardian in Los Angeles or Orange County. International participants and domestic participants living abroad must live on campus.
Residential students share a room in a university residence hall and receive a dining-hall meal plan covering three meals a day. Roommate requests cannot be accommodated.
Residential advisors live in the halls and are available at all times. Residence and dining halls require a USCard, and campus public safety provides 24/7 patrol services.
USC Summer Programs does not offer financial aid or assistance.
No. Participation does not guarantee admission to USC or its schools, and undergraduate applicants must follow the separate university admissions process.
Alternatives to Introduction to Business
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent 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.
Sources & verification
Source types reviewed
- Summer Programs Application Management
- USC Summer Programs Transcripts | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs Tuition and Fees | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs Policies | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs FAQs | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs International Application | 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
- Business 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)
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Eligibility requirements reviewed
Session dates compared
Fee options distinguished
College credit conditions reviewed
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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.
Introduction to Business
by USC Pre-College
Upcoming
May qualify for the £300 Succeed Programme Award.
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