Exemplary graduate students at USC Bovard College can build upon the curriculum of their degree program by pursuing an Advanced Graduate Designation. These designations are designed to help you stand out by exploring in-demand, interdisciplinary perspectives and further differentiating your career skillsets.
Advanced Graduate Designations are offered in Applied Analytics and Project Management. Because these are industry-agnostic fields, the knowledge and skills you gain can be valuable across a wide range of careers and professional settings. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your current capabilities or prepare for future opportunities, adding a designation to your master’s degree can help you build confidence in your skills and stay ready for the evolving demands of today’s workplace.
To be considered for an Advanced Graduate Designation from USC Bovard College, you must:
- Be currently enrolled in a Bovard College graduate degree program
- Have completed at least 4 units (2 courses) in your program
- Have a 3.5 or above GPA in your Bovard College courses
To enroll, please submit your Advanced Graduate Designation application by November 17, 2026 for the Spring 2027 term.
Email Shamir Patel, Director of Admissions for USC Bovard College, at AGD@bovardcollege.usc.edu to learn more about Advanced Graduate Designations, how it would affect your course load, or the financial aid opportunities for students pursuing a designation.
Advanced Graduate Designation Offerings
To earn an Advanced Graduate Designation from USC Bovard College, students must complete four courses of two units each in a predesigned course pathway. Courses in Applied Analytics or Project Management differ depending on your degree program to ensure the skills you gain during your designation coursework are the most relevant to your chosen career field.
Use Analytics & AI to Drive Business Value
- Equip yourself with strategic and analytical skills in the era of artificial intelligence (AI)
- Explore how to apply analytics to identify business opportunities and solve business problems
- Learn how to communicate a data-driven outcome effectively to stakeholders
Applied Analytics Courses
MS in Project Management
To complete the Applied Analytics Advanced Graduate Designation as a student in the MS in Project Management program, you will take:
- Applied Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
- Visualization and Storytelling with Data
- Applied Data Management and Database Systems
- Analytics Business Strategy and Communication
MS in Human Resource Management
To complete the Applied Analytics Advanced Graduate Designation as a student in the MS in Human Resource Management program, you will take:
- Applied Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
- Applied Data Management and Database Systems
- Analytics Business Strategy and Communication
- Project Management for Analytics Professionals
Master of Management in Library and Information Science
To complete the Applied Analytics Advanced Graduate Designation as a student in the Master of Management in Library and Information Science program, you will take:
- Applied Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
- Visualization and Storytelling with Data
- Applied Data Management and Database Systems
- Analytics Business Strategy and Communication
MS in Emergency Management
To complete the Applied Analytics Advanced Graduate Designation as a student in the MS in Emergency Management program, you will take:
- Applied Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
- Applied Data Management and Database Systems
- Analytics Business Strategy and Communication
- Project Management for Analytics Professionals
MS in Hospitality and Tourism
To complete the Applied Analytics Advanced Graduate Designation as a student in the MS in Hospitality and Tourism program, you will take:
- Applied Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
- Applied Data Management and Database Systems
- Analytics Business Strategy and Communication
- Project Management for Analytics Professionals
MS in Criminal Justice
To complete the Applied Analytics Advanced Graduate Designation as a student in the MS in Criminal Justice program, you will take:
- Applied Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
- Applied Data Management and Database Systems
- Analytics Business Strategy and Communication
- Project Management for Analytics Professionals
Apply Project Management Principles to Drive Innovation
- Strengthen business relationship management skills and effectiveness in a global context
- Examine essential management processes such as performance, quality, risk, cost, and budget
- Explore practical topics including forecasting, risk management, and organizational change management
Project Management Courses
MS in Applied Analytics
To complete the Project Management Advanced Graduate Designation as a student in the MS in Applied Analytics program, you will take:
- Risk Management
- Agile Project Management Methodologies
- Organizational Change Management and Business Relationships
- Program Management
MS in Human Resource Management
To complete the Project Management Advanced Graduate Designation as a student in the MS in Human Resource Management program, you will take:
- Principles of Project Management
- Requirements Elicitation and Business Analysis
- Risk Management
- Program Management
Master of Management in Library and Information Science
To complete the Project Management Advanced Graduate Designation as a student in the Master of Management in Library and Information Science program, you will take:
- Cost Estimation and Forecasting
- Risk Management
- Agile Project Management Methologies
- Program Management
MS in Emergency Management
To complete the Project Management Advanced Graduate Designation as a student in the MS in Emergency Management program, you will take:
- Principles of Project Management
- Requirements Elicitation and Business Analytics
- Organizational Change Management and Business Relationships
- Program Management
MS in Hospitality and Tourism
To complete the Project Management Advanced Graduate Designation as a student in the MS in Hospitality and Tourism program, you will take:
- Principles of Project Management
- Requirement Elicitation and Business Analytics
- Risk Management
- Organizational Change Management and Business Relationships
MS in Criminal Justice
To complete the Project Management Advanced Graduate Designation as a student in the MS in Criminal Justice program, you will take:
- Principles of Project Management
- Requirement Elicitation and Business Relationships
- Risk Management
- Program Management
*Courses are subject to availability. In some circumstances, these courses may be replaced.
Tuition for Advanced Graduate Designations
The following is the estimated cost of an Advanced Graduate Designation at USC Bovard College:
| Advanced Graduate Designation tuition | $20,312 |
| Materials | $600 |
| Total | $20,912 |
Tuition rates shown, currently $2,539 per unit, are for the 2026-2027 academic year, are set by the USC Board of Trustees, and typically increase each year in the fall term.
In addition to tuition, there is an estimated $150 cost per course for digital course materials. This includes the cost of any texts, case studies and/or articles needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Advanced Graduate Designation?
An Advanced Graduate Designation at USC Bovard College is a non-degree credential designed to complement and enhance your graduate education with industry-agnostic, in-demand skills.
How is Applied Analytics or Project Management relevant to me as a graduate student in a different program?
Applied Analytics and Project Management skills are deeply relevant and in demand, across all industries. The Advanced Graduate Designations provide graduate students with the opportunity to expand their impact and leadership capabilities.
Will my diploma indicate that I received an Advanced Graduate Designation from USC Bovard College?
No. You will receive your diploma for your graduate degree program and a separate Advanced Graduate Designation in Applied Analytics or Project Management. At commencement, you will receive a medallion commemorating this achievement. In addition, Bovard College will issue a letter confirming completion of the AGD and requisite coursework.
How is the Advanced Graduate Designation structured?
The Advanced Graduate Designations consist of 4 courses that are two units each. The courses are taught in 8-week modules. Each graduate program at USC Bovard College has predefined course pathways for each designation.
How are Advanced Graduate Designation classes integrated into a student’s existing course load?
Courses towards your Advanced Graduate Designation will be interspersed throughout your degree program course plan. You will always end your course plan by taking the last class in your degree program.
Choosing to pursue an Advanced Graduate Designation could mean adding time to your degree completion and/or taking an additional Advanced Graduate Designation course or courses each session, in addition to your degree courses. Your course plan is also subject to course availability.
Please reach out to AGD@bovardcollege.usc.edu if you have questions about how your course plan could be adjusted.
How does an Advanced Graduate Designation affect my Financial Aid package?
In many cases, loans are available to help cover the cost of an Advanced Graduate Designation. Reach out to Shamir Patel (AGD@bovardcollege.usc.edu), Director of Admissions for USC Bovard College, if you’d like to discuss your Financial Aid options.
Can I choose which classes I’d like to take in Applied Analytics or Project Management?
No. There is a specified course pathway for each Bovard College master’s program and Advanced Graduate Designation. The courses for the Applied Analytics and Project Management Advanced Graduate Designations were chosen intentionally to pair with the curriculum of each graduate program, to complement the existing curriculum and identify what skills an HR, Emergency Management, Library and Information Science professional, for example, would most benefit from.
Are these Advanced Graduate Designations open to Bovard College alumni?
At this time, Advanced Graduate Designations are available only to current Bovard College graduate students.
Are Advanced Graduate Designations offered to graduate students from other USC schools?
At this time, Advanced Graduate Designations are available only to current Bovard College graduate students.
Can I pursue just an Advanced Graduate Designation without being enrolled in a graduate program at Bovard College?
No. Students must be currently enrolled in a graduate program at Bovard College.