USC’s online graduate students join our programs from around the world, balancing full-time jobs, caregiver responsibilities and other obligations during their higher education journey.
But how do they network with peers and professors, leverage their lived experience and upskill while learning remotely?
USC Online spoke to several of USC’s stellar professors about how their classes keep connected — and the surprising benefits of online learning.
Sharing Diverse Viewpoints and Expertise
Diversity is the default in USC’s online classes. That’s because many students choose an online degree due to the flexibility.
“I see people coming from all walks of life,” said Anika Jackson, a professor in the Master of Science in Digital Media Management (MSDMM) online program at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. “Many of them have aspired to attend USC and never thought they would be able to. The online programs have made it much easier with their real-life schedules to be able to realize that and achieve that dream.”
This means online students bring myriad perspectives from different companies, countries and seasons of life. Professors across programs agree that students’ varying backgrounds and viewpoints enhance the online learning experience.
“When we begin discussing different concepts and different models, everybody’s enlightened,” said Michael Harris, a professor in the Executive Master of Health Administration (EMHA) online program at the USC Price School of Public Policy. “There’s this sense of enrichment because of the different backgrounds of all the students and where they are in their careers.”
Through sharing their thoughts and experiences in online classes, students broaden each other’s worldviews and contribute to each other’s success.
“In a way, they become teachers as well,” said Miji John Vellakkatel, a professor in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) online program at USC Bovard College.
Connecting With Professors Remotely
Sometimes online courses are an even better option for learning than in-person classes because professors and students are forced to be intentional and make the most of their time together, Jackson said.
It’s easier to share your screen and collaborate on documents through video calls — and the online format encourages shy students to come out of their shells.
“No one can sit in the back on the Zoom screen,” said Courtney Malloy, a professor in the Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership (OCL) online program at USC Rossier School of Education. “You have the chat and you have the breakout rooms, so there’s multiple ways to engage folks for those who might feel more uncomfortable speaking out.”
Supporting online students is also a top priority for USC professors. While on-campus students may have more time to pop into their professors’ office hours during the week, it’s just as important that online students can access their professors easily. Online professors strive to make themselves available for academic and personal support — sometimes at unorthodox times.
“It’s not unusual for our instructors to have office hours on the weekend because we know you work during the week, and you use the weekend to get your work done,” Harris said. “That’s when those critical questions pop up.”
Despite the distance, online students can build strong relationships with their professors that serve them beyond getting a degree. Jackson said she has even referred students for jobs.
“One of them works at an agency that I was at previously, which I love … being able to make those connections more deeply with students is something I really value,” Jackson said.
Networking With Other Students
Online USC students are “committed to each other’s success,” Vellakkatel said. Students in online programs network, share ideas, start businesses together and open doors for each other.
“The community can … feel stronger than on-ground programs because … [of the] intentionality with which we build the live sessions,” Malloy said. “And I also think that encourages students to connect. Our students are networking with each other constantly and doing study groups on the weekends.”
Even if students never meet in person because of geography — Jackson said she’s had classes spanning multiple continents — they’re still active participants in the Trojan Family.
“USC is unique in that the alumni network is lifelong and worldwide,” Malloy said. “You could be on a plane at the airport in Iowa and see someone with a USC sweatshirt. And you’re gonna say, ‘Fight On!’ to each other.”
Check out our Trojan Stories series for more insights into what to expect as an online graduate student at USC.