Maymester Programs

Program Overview:

The Dornsife Faculty-Led Programs (FLP) Office offers a variety of Maymester programs that blend classroom learning with immersive, faculty-led experiences in domestic and international locations.

Covering subjects across the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and languages, these short-term programs feature site visits, excursions, and hands-on learning that connect academic content to real-world contexts. Students explore global issues through intensive engagement with local communities, cultures, and field-based experiences.

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 eligibility questions, contact flp@dornsife.usc.edu.

Applications for Maymester 2026 will open in early September 2025.

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Applications for our 2026 Maymester programs are not yet open.

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 Maymester 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.

Maymester courses are part of the Spring term and can be covered by USC’s flat-rate tuition if the student’s total enrolled units (including the Maymester) stay within the 12–18 unit range. If the Maymester course causes a student to exceed 18 units, additional tuition charges will apply. Students must receive approval from their home department to enroll in more than 20 units.
Program Costs:

Maymester FLP program fees range from $1,500 to $4,000 and are charged in addition to Spring semester 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:

Maymesters are eligible for Spring financial aid. For questions about aid eligibility or how Maymester enrollment may impact your financial aid package, please contact the USC Financial Aid Office at https://financialaid.usc.edu or (213) 740-4444.

Scholarships:

At the time of application, students may apply for scholarships for these Maymesters through the Dornsife Office of Experiential and Applied Learning, such as the Student Opportunities for Academic Research (SOAR) scholarship. For more information, please contact (213) 740-3274 or soar@dornsife.usc.edu.

Please note: The Faculty-Led Programs (FLP) Office does not offer its own scholarships. For additional funding resources, students are encouraged to contact the Dornsife Scholarship Office.