Application guidelines (PDF)
Online communities are the future of our economic, political, and social lives. USC Annenberg’s pioneering track in online communities is the first in the world to recognize that the development and leadership of online communities is critical to the future success of a wide array of industries, including communications, marketing, political campaigning, advocacy, social networking, professional networking, intellectual property, entertainment law and management, nonprofit management, social support and illness support, and healthcare, to name just a few.
At USC's Charles Annenberg Weingarten Program on Online Communities (APOC), you will join a select group of graduate students who will focus their education on the effective management, production, development, use, and power of online communities. You will spend a fast-paced year working with and learning from a diverse student population, world class faculty, industry professionals and acclaimed "gurus". Classes will focus on a range of topics from design and management to emerging technologies, industry innovations and science of persuasion and affiliation. You will gain the knowledge, insights, and technical experience to become the next generation of leaders and managers of online communities.
Also, APOC will provide experiential learning opportunities that will allow you to gain depth and breadth of knowledge necessary to take your place among leaders in this quickly evolving professional discipline. For this reason, you will intern at some of the most distinguished and innovative companies in the nation, working directly with the development, enhancement, and management of successful and vibrant online communities. You will have the opportunity to work with start-ups and nonprofits. Your final master’s degree program will engage you in small teams to create a working online community, one that is designed to last far beyond your tenure at USC Annenberg. The track is designed so that you work and learn with a diverse cohort, one with members who are creative, visionary, technically adept, dedicated, and knowledgeable about the substance and process of online communities.
USC Annenberg offers the online communities track in the communication management master's degree program. The program is full-time and is designed to be completed in two semesters and one summer session. Recent college/university graduates and professionals with considerable work experience are encouraged to apply.