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    Media and Social Change: Becoming a Change Agent for a Better World
    Online Program

    Media and Social Change: Becoming a Change Agent for a Better World

    by USC Pre-College

    An online media course exploring how storytelling and advocacy drive social change, with case studies and guidance on using your voice to address issues you care about.

    Last verified: 5 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Media and Social Change 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

    Format

    Online

    Next application deadline

    7 October 2026

    Save deadline
    Media StudiesSocial Sciences
    Language: English
    Sessions / cadence: 5 modules; 20–25 hours; self-paced
    Mentor model: USC Mentor for content questions
    Assessment style: 5 multiple-choice knowledge checks
    Certificate: USC Certificate of Completion
    Scheduling model: Independent study on your own time
    Featured faculty: Alison Trope, USC Annenberg

    Media and Social Change summary

    USC Pre-College connects media analysis with advocacy, examining how storytelling and communication help people challenge the status quo.

    You work through recorded lectures, readings, case studies, assignments, and knowledge checks, with a USC Mentor available for content questions.

    It suits students who want to understand the strategy behind social-change messages and connect academic media study with issues they care about.

    What is Media and Social Change: Becoming a Change Agent for a Better World?

    Media and Social Change: Becoming a Change Agent for a Better World is a USC Pre-College course about the relationship between communication and advocacy. It examines how movements, organizations, and individuals use media to challenge the status quo, including responses to issues such as climate change and gun violence.

    The course combines recorded lectures, media case studies, readings, and assignments completed independently online. Featured faculty member Alison Trope brings expertise in communication and media literacy, while the learning outcomes focus on understanding social change and using your voice more effectively.

    Why Succeed highlights Media and Social Change

    • The course connects media case studies with concrete strategies for advocacy and social change.

    • Alison Trope’s work at USC Annenberg and Critical Media Project gives the teaching a clear foundation in media literacy.

    • Independent study and USC Mentor access provide flexibility alongside a route for clarifying content.

    • Knowledge-check retakes give students opportunities to strengthen understanding before earning the certificate.

    Who is Media and Social Change for?

    Best for

    Students interested in media, storytelling, and advocacy who enjoy analyzing real examples and can manage independent study.

    Not ideal if

    You want a live classroom experience, a filmmaking production course, or university credit.

    Is Media and Social Change worth it?

    This course is worth considering if you want a structured introduction to how media supports advocacy and social change. Its strongest value is the combination of case studies, communication expertise, and opportunities to test your understanding as you study.

    The tuition makes this a substantial purchase for an introductory, non-credit course. Judge it by the learning you want to gain and your willingness to study independently, since completion does not guarantee admission or special preference at USC.

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    Founder, Succeed

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    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, media case studies, and assignments., USC Mentor access for course-content questions., Certificate of Completion after meeting course requirements., Course transcript upon request..

    Dates and time commitment

    4 weeks; 5 modules; 20–25 hours; self-paced.

    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 credential is a non-credit USC Certificate of Completion, emailed after successful completion.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    Topics include strategies for social change, visual culture, storytelling and narrative impact, amplifying your message, and becoming an advocate. You study how media can support movements, organizations, and individuals seeking change.

    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 Media and Social Change need?

    Effort level

    Moderate independent study, totaling approximately 20–25 hours.

    Best started

    Allow two to three weeks before your chosen start to prepare the essay and arrange payment.

    Main challenge

    Keeping momentum without a fixed weekly classroom timetable.

    Typical preparation

    • Choose a social issue and note why its public messaging interests you.

    • Draft a short explanation of what you want to learn from the course.

    • Discuss the tuition and application fee with your parent or guardian.

    • Reserve regular study periods for lectures, readings, assignments, and knowledge checks.

    Useful if

    You want to connect media analysis with an issue you care about.

    What do students do on Media and Social Change?

    You study how media and storytelling influence social change through recorded teaching, case studies, readings, and assignments. Independent modules lead to knowledge checks that test your understanding.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Work through the course modules, including recorded lectures and readings.

    2. 2

      Analyze media examples and strategies used by movements, organizations, and individuals.

    3. 3

      Complete assignments and ask a USC Mentor questions when you need clarification.

    4. 4

      Take each module’s multiple-choice knowledge check and retake it if needed.

    5. 5

      Complete all course requirements to qualify for the certificate.

    Media and Social Change dates and deadlines

    Start option 1 application deadline

    9 September 2026

    Past

    Start option 2 application deadline

    23 September 2026

    Past

    Start option 4 application deadline

    21 October 2026

    Upcoming

    Start option 5 application deadline

    4 November 2026

    Upcoming

    Start option 6 application deadline

    18 November 2026

    Upcoming

    Start option 7 application deadline

    2 December 2026

    Upcoming

    Start option 8 application deadline

    16 December 2026

    Upcoming

    Start option 1

    14 September 2026

    Course starts 14 September 2026; tuition is due by the application deadline.

    Past

    Start option 2

    28 September 2026

    Course starts 28 September 2026; tuition is due by the application deadline.

    Past

    Start option 3

    12 October 2026

    Course starts 12 October 2026; tuition is due by the application deadline.

    Upcoming

    Start option 4

    26 October 2026

    Course starts 26 October 2026; tuition is due by the application deadline.

    Upcoming

    Start option 5

    9 November 2026

    Course starts 9 November 2026; tuition is due by the application deadline.

    Upcoming

    Start option 6

    23 November 2026

    Course starts 23 November 2026; tuition is due by the application deadline.

    Upcoming

    Start option 7

    7 December 2026

    Course starts 7 December 2026; tuition is due by the application deadline.

    Upcoming

    Start option 8

    21 December 2026

    Course starts 21 December 2026; tuition is due by the application deadline.

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Be at least 14 years old.

    • Be enrolled in a high school or secondary program.

    • Domestic and international applicants may apply.

    • International applicants must be proficient in English.

    • Other applicant groups may request an exemption by email.

    • Exemption requests require an interest statement of up to 200 words.

    How much does Media and Social Change cost?

    Course tuition

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

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $35 — Nonrefundable and additional to tuition.
    • USC NAI scholarship: Full scholarship — Restricted to eligible USC NAI summer-session students in grades 9–12; confirm funding with USC.

    What's included

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

    How to apply to Media and Social Change

    1. 1

      Open the official USC Online Application portal and create an account or log in.

    2. 2

      Select the media and social change course and your preferred start option.

    3. 3

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

    4. 4

      Write the short-answer essay about yourself and why you want to take the course.

    5. 5

      Optionally share a piece of writing, video, or social media content.

    6. 6

      Submit the application and pay the $35 application fee.

    7. 7

      After admission, pay tuition by your selected start option’s deadline.

    8. 8

      Sign the Letter of Understanding with your parent or guardian if you are a minor.

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    Learning format

    The course is completed independently online through recorded lectures, readings, media case studies, and assignments, with approximately 20–25 hours of coursework across five modules. USC expects completion in four weeks, but students have up to 90 days of access and can contact a USC Mentor with content questions.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Featured teaching comes from Alison Trope, a USC Annenberg clinical professor.

    • Trope founded Critical Media Project, a media literacy initiative.

    • A USC Mentor can clarify questions about course content.

    • The learning platform provides chat features and mentor or staff messages.

    • Technical-access questions can be emailed to precollegeonline@usc.edu.

    Time-zone considerations

    • Recorded content and assignments are completed on your own time.
    • Domestic and international students use the same online application.
    • Plan for approximately 20–25 total hours of independent coursework.
    • Expected completion is four weeks, with up to 90 days of access.

    Tech requirements

    • Use a computer, tablet, or phone.

    • Have internet access and a web browser.

    • Follow USC’s emailed instructions to access the learning platform.

    • Use the platform for content, assignments, chat, and staff messages.

    Assessment style

    Assessment combines course assignments with multiple-choice knowledge checks at the end of each module.

    • Complete all five content modules and course requirements.
    • Take a knowledge check at the end of each module.
    • Score at least 70 percent on each knowledge check.
    • Retake knowledge checks as many times as needed.
    • Submit original work and acknowledge any permitted AI assistance.

    Portfolio / outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    The main credential is a non-credit USC Certificate of Completion, emailed after successful completion.

    • Completed course assignments.

    • USC Pre-College Programs course transcript upon request.

    • A certificate that can be listed on a resume or application.

    Media and Social Change FAQs

    Topics include strategies for social change, visual culture, storytelling and narrative impact, amplifying your message, and becoming an advocate. You study how media can support movements, organizations, and individuals seeking change.

    Plan for approximately 20–25 hours of recorded lectures, readings, and assignments. USC expects completion in four weeks, with up to 90 days of access if you need longer.

    The featured faculty member is Alison Trope, a clinical professor of communication at USC Annenberg and founder of Critical Media Project. Her work includes media literacy, visual culture, and social change.

    Students can contact a USC Mentor for clarification about course content. The online platform also includes chat features and messages from mentors and staff.

    Complete all five modules and course requirements, and score at least 70 percent on each module’s knowledge check. Knowledge checks can be retaken, and qualifying students receive their certificate by email.

    The course is non-credit-bearing. Completing it can demonstrate subject interest, but it does not guarantee admission to USC or provide special admissions preference.

    You can access the course using a computer, tablet, or phone with internet access and a web browser. USC provides access instructions after tuition is paid in full.

    Applicants provide parent or guardian contact information. Participants and, for minors, their parents or guardians must sign the Letter of Understanding before the course starts; USC also provides youth-protection resources and reporting channels.

    Alternatives to Media and Social Change

    Compare these options if your interests lean toward journalism, political ideas, or a broader social-sciences course.

    Alternatives to Media and Social Change

    Journalism Summer Program

    Journalism study with media and ethics subject coverage.

    Media Studies
    Deadline: Not announced
    From £7400
    14-18
    Cambridge
    In-person

    Best for

    Students comparing journalism with broader media analysis.

    View details

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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

    • USC Online Application Management
    • USC Online Exploration Courses Policies | USC Pre-College
    • USC Pre-College Online FAQs | USC Pre-College
    • Online Media and Social Change Course | USC Pre-College
    • Online Media and Social Change 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)

    • Course identity checked

    • Application deadlines checked

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Tuition and fees checked

    • Certificate requirements reviewed

    • Scholarship conflict flagged

    • 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.