PWP & Summer Programs

Program Overview:

The Dornsife Faculty-Led Programs (FLP) Office offers a variety of Summer programs, including Problems Without Passports (PWP) courses, which blend classroom learning with experiential opportunities in domestic and international settings.

Spanning the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, these programs feature site visits, faculty-led excursions, and, in some cases, internships with international partners. Students engage deeply with global issues and gain hands-on experience through research and fieldwork.

Programs typically run from late May through July and are part of the Summer semester. Courses appear under “Special Sessions” in the USC Catalogue.

Open to all USC undergraduates. Graduate students are not eligible. Progressive degree students may participate only if they are still classified as undergraduates at the time of enrollment. For questions about eligibility, contact flp@dornsife.usc.edu.

Applications for our 2026 Summer/PWP programs are now open! The deadline to apply is January 14, 2026.

Applications for our 2026 Summer/PWP programs are now open! The deadline to apply is January 14, 2026.

Explore Program Options: Students can explore upcoming Dornsife FLP programs by visiting the Student Travel Abroad Portal. Each program brochure includes details such as program type, location, duration, course prerequisites, program costs, and contact information for program staff.

Once applications open, the portal will also provide access to submit applications directly.

Information & Events:
Interested in learning more about upcoming programs? Visit the Student Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2026, from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM on Trousdale Parkway. Preview Spring 2026 Maymester programs, speak directly with faculty leading the trips, and connect with staff from the FLP Office to ask questions and gather materials.
All Summer courses are 4 units and may count toward elective, upper-division, or General Education (GE) requirements, depending on the course and a student’s degree plan. Students should consult their academic advisor to confirm how the course applies to their specific program.
Program Costs:

Summer FLP program fees range from $1,500 to $4,000 and are charged in addition to Summer term tuition. Detailed costs are provided in each program’s brochure under the “Costs” tab.

Please note: All students are responsible for the full program fee. Fees are non-negotiable and vary based on location, length, season, and other program-specific factors.

Fee Includes: Lodging accommodations, some meals, program transportation, program-related activities (i.e., museums, excursions, etc.), program administration fee.

Fee Does Not Include: Tuition and fees, international health insurance (if applicable), textbooks, airfare, travel insurance, personal spending money, personal travel, and transportation.

Financial Aid:

Summer programs are not eligible for financial aid. For questions about aid eligibility or other financial aid offerings for summer courses, please contact the USC Financial Aid Office at https://financialaid.usc.edu or (213) 740-4444.

Scholarships:

SURF Funding Eligibility

SURF funding is available only to students who have declared a major at USC Dornsife and applied to a Problems Without Passports (PWP) course.

To be considered for funding, students must also meet additional eligibility requirements. A complete list of criteria can be found on the program websites:

SURF (PWP course funding): https://dornsife.usc.edu/exl/surf-shure/

For questions, contact:
SURF: surf@dornsife.usc.edu

Faculty-Led Program Eligibility

Please note that not all Faculty-Led Programs (FLPs) qualify for SURF funding. Programs require that the course include a significant research component to be eligible.

Exception: Spain-based programs are considered under a separate award designated specifically for study abroad programs in Spain.

A complete list of SURF-approved courses is available on the program website:

SURF: https://dornsife.usc.edu/exl/surf-shure/

Note: Approved courses for Summer 2026 are to be determined. Please check the program websites for updates.

Application Period

Summer 2026 SURF (PWP) application period: TBD

Friendly reminder that students are responsible for all program costs. Do not rely solely on scholarship funding. For questions about scholarships, financial aid, or course planning, reach out to the appropriate office.