USC, Condé Nast and WIRED Launch Master of Integrated Design, Business and Technology Degree

New learning model combines network and access of WIRED with academic strength and vision of the USC Roski School of Art and Design

CONTACT: Allison Engel 213/740-1927 allison.engel@usc.edu

The University of Southern California, Condé Nast and WIRED announced a partnership on Oct. 1, 2014, to create a new online master’s degree in Integrated Design, Business and Technology.  The partnership creates an unprecedented learning experience, combining the expertise of the editors, writers, and designers at WIRED with the academic rigor of USC, a leading research university known for its pioneering interdisciplinary programs. The aim of the 18-24 month degree is to educate creative thinkers and technologists to better equip them to transform the world of industry and enterprise. The first cohort is scheduled to begin in the 2015-2016 academic year.

Dean of the USC Roski School of Art and Design Erica Muhl and WIRED Editor in Chief Scott Dadich made the announcement at WIRED By Design, a live magazine event held at Skywalker Ranch in Marin, Calif.

USC’s Roski School of Art and Design cemented an international reputation in interdisciplinary education with the launch of the groundbreaking USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation. The new master’s degree, which offers specially designed coursework from the USC Roski School, the USC Marshall School of Business, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering and other leading programs at the university, represents another first for higher education.

“The pace of technology development requires higher education to continue to respond with programs that are flexible and adaptable, and that meet the needs of future cultural and business leaders,” said Dean Muhl.

“We’ve been thinking for years about what a university curriculum with WIRED would look like, and now we have a chance to build it with a terrific partner,” said Dadich. “Taking the best from USC and WIRED, we can teach discipline and disruption, business fundamentals, and the very latest innovation models from Silicon Valley. This is going to be thrilling.”

USC’s online graduate education model builds upon the historic role of the traditional university while incorporating the advances made possible by the digital age. USC currently offers more than 80 programs online to approximately 8,000 graduate and executive education students. It is a model that expands educational access globally while maintaining all-important standards of academic rigor and quality.

In addition to the unique curriculum and value of a master’s degree from the University of Southern California, the new program’s format will offer distinctive opportunities to its participants, including residencies at WIRED headquarters; exclusive audiences with WIRED leaders and conference speakers; and access to WIRED’s highly respected editors and writers, as well as leading industry icons. Students in the program will be immersed in the culture of WIRED’s award-winning edit and design team, learning how they report, interpret and anticipate the next big breakthroughs in business, science, technology, design and culture.

“WIRED is recognized as a source for up-to-the-minute ideas, analysis and perspective,” said Robert A. Sauerberg Jr, president of Condé Nast. “Today we’re announcing the first of several partnerships we plan to create that will merge the knowledge and expertise of Condé Nast’s brands with distinguished academic programs to develop the next generation of talent. Given its reputation as an innovator, it makes perfect sense that WIRED is the first.”

USC’s program development and build out will be powered by higher education partners Synergis Education and Qubed Education. Synergis helps colleges and universities design and launch programs of distinction by creating unique learning environments and supporting recruitment, retention and student services. Qubed establishes new partnerships between top-tier universities and leading media organizations and brands to create high-quality innovations in world-class higher education institutions.

About the University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is one of the world’s leading private research universities with top-ranked professional programs in cinematic arts, gaming, computer science and entrepreneurship, among others. An anchor institution in Los Angeles, a global center for arts, technology and international trade, USC, with its world-class faculty, has a strong tradition of integrating liberal and professional education, and encourages students to cross academic as well as geographic boundaries in their pursuit of knowledge. www.usc.edu and http://roski.usc.edu/

About Condé Nast

Condé Nast is a global media company producing the highest quality magazines, websites and digital content.  Reaching more than 263 million consumers in 30 markets, the company’s portfolio includes many of the world’s most respected and influential media properties including Vogue, Vanity Fair, Glamour, Brides, Self, GQ, Condé Nast Traveller/Traveler, Allure, Architectural Digest, WIRED, W and Style, among others. In addition to publishing 143 magazines and over 130 websites, the company operates a restaurant division and several ventures in education. Condé Nast Entertainment develops film, television and premium video programming.

www.condenast.com and www.condenastinternational.com

About WIRED

For more than 20 years, WIRED has been the essential source of information and ideas that make sense of a world in transformation. WIRED is where tomorrow is realized. The WIRED conversation illuminates how technology is changing every aspect of our lives — from culture to business, science to design. The breakthroughs and innovations that we uncover lead to new ways of thinking, new connections and new industries. WIRED reaches more than 30 million people each month through WIRED.com, our digital edition, the magazine, social media and live events.

About Synergis Education

Synergis Education partners with colleges and universities to design and launch programs of distinction, helping institutions make their vision reality by creating unique learning environments that complement faculty developed courses, and supporting recruitment, retention and student services. Synergis provides capital and expertise for classroom, blended and fully online programs. www.synergiseducation.com.

About Qubed Education

Qubed works with top-tier universities to develop tomorrow’s innovators and leaders through the development of pioneering educational programs in partnership with the world’s preeminent media brands — enhancing curriculum and providing real-world, immersive learning experiences for students through rich media content, subject matter expertise and the reach for which these brands are globally-recognized by both consumers and employers. Qubed was incubated by University Ventures, the leading higher education focused investment fund, and Condé Nast, home to some of the world’s most celebrated media brands, to help offer degree programs that deliver highly credentialed opportunities relevant for the 21st century workforce by serving as a gateway for global brands to offer world class educational experiences. http://www.qubededucation.com