Program Overview:

The Dornsife Faculty-Led Programs Office (FLP) offers a variety of Summer programs, including Problems Without Passports (PWP) courses. PWP courses combine problem-based or inquiry learning research exercises with study in different locations worldwide. These programs are open to all USC undergraduate students. However, graduate students are ineligible to apply, and progressive students must contact the FLP office (flp@dornsife.usc.edu) to determine eligibility before applying.

Summer programs typically run from the end of May to July and are attached to the Summer semester, separate from the Spring semester. Summer courses can be found in the Special Sections of the USC Catalogue and are not eligible to be included in financial aid packages. A normal academic load for undergraduate students is 12-16 units per semester, with the university recommending that undergraduates register for no more than 18 units. Permission to enroll in more than 20 units requires written approval from the student’s home department.

Students participating in Summer FLP programs will need to pay for Summer tuition and FLP program fees. These fees cover various expenses such as lodging, meals, transportation, and other program-related costs.

Our independent Faculty-Led Program (FLP) options provide exceptional opportunities for research and experiential learning off-campus, both in the United States and internationally.

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PWP and Summer Programs

  • Our 2025 program applications will open in early January 2025. Below is a preview of the upcoming programs.

    1. Dornsife FLP: Field Research in Maya Archaeology (ANTH 450)
      1. Location: Blue Creek, Belize
      2. Led By: Eric Heller, Ph.D., erichell@usc.edu
    2. Dornsife FLP: Bookpacking New Orleans (ENGL 352g)
      1. Location: New Orleans, LA
      2. Led By: Andrew Chater, Ph.D., chater@usc.edu
    3. Dornsife FLP: Urban Politics & Policy Through the Lens of Mexican Cities (POSC 300)
      1. Location: Mexico City, Mexico
      2. Led By: Monica Unda Gutierrez, Ph.D., monica.undagutierrez@usc.edu
    4. Dornsife FLP: Problems Without Passports -The Biology of Health from a Global Perspective (BISC 428)
      1. Locations: London & Oxford, United Kingdom
      2. Led By: Nancy Castro, Ph.D, ncastro@usc.edu
    5. Dornsife FLP: Health and Mental Health Research in Mauritius (PSYC 499)
      1. Location: Mauritius
      2. Led By: Susan Luczak, Ph.D, luczak@usc.edu
    6. Dornsife FLP: IR Brussels Summer Internship Program 2023 (IR 391x)
      1. Location: Brussels, Belgium
      2. Led By: Akeya Harmon, akeyahar@usc.edu
    7. Dornsife FLP: Comparative Public Policy in France and the European Union (IR 374)
      1. Location: Paris, France
      2. Led By: Akeya Harmon, akeyahar@usc.edu
    • Dornsife FLP: Problems Without Passports -The Biology of Health from a Global Perspective (BISC 428)
    • Dornsife FLP: Problems Without Passports -Archaeological Fieldwork in the Maya Region (ANTH 450)
    • Dornsife FLP: IR Brussels Summer Internship Program 2023 (IR 391x)
    • Dornsife FLP: Comparative Public Policy in France and the European Union (IR 374)
    • Dornsife FLP: Field Research in Maya Archaeology (ANTH 450-PWP)
    • Dornsife FLP: Indigenous Language Revitalization in Ireland and Northern Ireland (ANTH 409- PWP)
      • Locations: Belfast, United Kingdom, Dublin, Ireland, Glencolumbkille, Ireland
      • Led By: Tok Thompson​​​​​​​, tokthomp@usc.edu
    • Dornsife FLP: IR Brussels Summer Internship Program 2023 (IR 391x)
    • Dornsife FLP: USC French Program, Summer in Dijon (FREN 300, 330, 490X, 150, 220, 250)
    • Dornsife FLP: USC Taiwan Chinese Summer Program (EALC 204, 206, 304, 306, 404, 406, or 106)
    • Dornsife FLP: Health and Mental Health Research in Mauritius (PSYC 499)

How to Apply

Application Due Dates:

  • The application period for PWP and Summer programs is now closed. Applications for the 2025 programs will open the first week of January 2025.

Applications Open: January 10th, 2025

Application Deadline: March 4th, 2025

Program Decision Date: March 11th, 2025

Deadline to Commit to Program: March 27th, 2025

Dornsife Faculty-Led Programs (FLPs) are open to undergraduate students only. Graduate students are not eligible to apply. Progressive degree students may participate only if they are classified as undergraduates with remaining coursework at the time of program enrollment. However, progressive students who have completed their undergraduate studies and are classified as master’s students are ineligible. If you have any questions about your eligibility or the program in general, please contact our Faculty-Led Programs Office at flp@dornsife.usc.edu.

  1. Explore Program Options: Access the Student Travel Abroad Portal to browse upcoming Dornsife FLP programs. Each program brochure details program type, location, duration, course prerequisites, program costs, and contact information for program staff.
  2. Check Eligibility: Our Dornsife Faculty-Led Programs are open to all undergraduate students studying at USC, regardless of their major or school. Graduate and doctoral students are not eligible to apply. Progressive degree students may apply only if they are classified as undergraduates with remaining undergraduate coursework at the time of program enrollment. Progressive students who have completed their undergraduate coursework and are classified as master’s students are not eligible to apply.
  3. Consult Academic Advisor: Compile a list of programs that interest you and consult your department’s academic advisor to ensure alignment with your academic goals and plan.
  4. Submit Application: Submit your application for the desired program before the application deadline specified in the program brochure. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Each student may apply to a maximum of two programs.
  5. Acceptance and Commitment: After you are accepted, you will receive an email with instructions on how to confirm your participation. To confirm, you need to access your application and click the “Commitment to Participate” button within the specified timeframe. If you fail to complete this process, you may be withdrawn from the program. It’s important to note that your commitment is final and should be thought through carefully. Please review the Dornsife Faculty-Led Programs (FLP) Withdrawal Policy and consider the financial costs before confirming your participation.
  6. Document Submission: Sign and submit all necessary post-decision documents via your Student Travel Abroad portal upon program acceptance.
  7. Course Registration: Following acceptance and document submission, request D-clearance from your course department and register for the corresponding course via USC’s Web Registration. Adhere to the Spring or Summer term add/drop deadlines.
  8. Orientations: Participants must attend two mandatory orientation sessions:
    1. Dornsife FLP Office orientation
    2. Faculty-Director’s orientation

    Dates and times for these sessions will be provided upon confirmation of your participation.

Please remember that in order to be fully enrolled, you must meet both the application deadline by submitting an application through the Student Travel Abroad Portal and registering for the corresponding course via USC’s Web Registration.

 

Summer Highlights

Other Programs at USC Dornsife