How do I apply?
Each engineering department has different application requirements. Click here for your department's specifications.
We recommend you apply online at: http://www.usc.edu/admission/graduate/apply/. If you have questions about the application process, you will find answers to many of those questions on that website.
What documents are required for my application? [back to top]
All graduate applicants to the Viterbi School of Engineering must submit the graduate application form, official GRE scores, and official transcripts.
International applicants are also strongly recommended to submit a TOEFL score or another exam demonstrating English proficiency (for further details please refer to the TOEFL section of the FAQ below). Some programs may require additional documents. Please refer to the department’s website to see what documents are required for your specific program of interest.
For a list of graduate degree programs within the Viterbi School of Engineering, please visit:
If you have additional questions about a specific program, please contact that department.
Where do I send my application materials? [back to top]
Documents required by the university, including the graduate application, GRE and TOEFL scores, and all transcripts, should be sent directly to the Office of Admission at the following address:
USC Office of Admission
GRADUATE
University Park Campus
Los Angeles, California 90089-0915
If you use a courier service, such as DHL or FedEx, send your material to this address:
University of Southern California
USC Office of Admission and Financial Aid
3601 South Flower Street, Tyler 1
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915
For supplementary application materials, please refer to the department website for instructions. For a list of departments within the Viterbi School of Engineering, please go to the following page:
http://viterbi.usc.edu/academics/departments/
Please note that deadlines for fellowship and assistantship consideration vary by department and are often earlier than the degree application deadline. Please refer to the department website for these deadlines. For a list of departments within the Viterbi School of Engineering, please go to the following page:
http://viterbi.usc.edu/academics/departments/
Is the GRE exam required for admission? [back to top]
The
GRE exam is required for admission to all graduate programs in the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Official scores should be sent by ETS to the University of Southern California Office of Admission, ETS code 4852. You do not need to provide a department code.
What is the minimum GRE score or GPA required by USC? [back to top]
Here at the University of Southern California we do a comprehensive review of all applications. We do not use a formula or have minimum test score and GPA requirements for admission to USC. In general, successful applicants have demonstrated outstanding quantitative ability and proven academic success in their intended field of study. Additionally, because our medium of instruction is English, students are expected to be able to understand and be understood in English.
I am unable to attend this semester. How do I defer my admission to a later semester? [back to top]
USC does not defer admission, however you may update your application for up to one year. You can simply indicate on the “Intent to Enroll” form that you wish to update your application, as well as the desired term. If you complete any coursework in the meantime, please notify the Office of Admission and submit your transcripts along with an updated educational history. If you are an international student, you may also be required to submit updated financial documents. You will be contacted if any further information is needed.
Can I take courses at USC without being admitted? [back to top]
Limited status enrollment is not available in the Viterbi School of Engineering except in rare situations through the Distance Education Network.
What is the total cost of tuition? [back to top]
Below is a formula to help calculate the general tuition cost for a 27-unit Master's degree program:
27 (units) x Tuition Unit Cost + Mandatory Semester Fees = Estimated total cost for completion of the Master's degree program
To obtain the Tuition Unit Cost for the Summer 2008 semester, please click here. For the Fall 2008 semester, please click here. Note: Consult the rates under "Graduate Engineering (500 level and above)".
Please note that the Tuition Unit Cost is subject to change each Fall semester. Unit requirements will vary depending on the Master's program you are pursuing. If you ahave any questions about tuition, please contact viterbi.mapp@usc.edu.
What is the total cost per semester? [back to top]
To plan for each semester, the cost will be the number of units you are taking plus the semester's Mandatory Fees. For example, if you are enrolled in three 3-unit courses in the Fall 2007 semester, the formula would be:
9 (units) x Tuition Unit Cost ($1,331) + Mandatory Semester Fees (as listed here).
Are there any scholarship opportunities available? [back to top]
The USC Viterbi School of Engineering has several scholarship opportunities for Master's students. To find out if you are qualified, please visit the scholarships page.
Is there any special tuition information for international students? [back to top]
International students click here for more information on financial support: http://www.usc.edu/admission/graduate/international/financial_support/
Does USC have a payment plan? [back to top]
Yes. The USC payment plan allows settlement of a student account (one semester/term at a time), through a line of credit established with the USC Student Financial Services Office. You may use your USC Payment Plan account to pay for tuition, fees, university housing, meal plans, and other miscellaneous university charges in monthly installments for Fall and/or Spring terms only (Payment Plan is not offered for Summer term). Click here for more information. Note the student must have a US bank account or US bank issued credit card to make payments.
What are the different payment options? [back to top]
Please visit the Student Financial Services website for the most updated information.
International Student Questions
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Is the TOEFL requred for international students? [back to top]
The TOEFL is not required for admission to USC, however, we do administer a mandatory International Standard English placement (ISE) exam during orientation for all international students to determine if additional courses in English are needed. Students can be excused from the exam if they have a score of:
- 250 or higher on the computer-based TOEFL
- 600 or higher on the paper-based TOEFL
- 100 or higher on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) with no less than 20 on each of the four individual sections
Other exemptions from the ISE exam include:
- Students with a Bachelor's degree from a college or university in the United States
- Students whose native language is English. This applies to students from countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada (except Quebec) where English is both the first language of the country and the language of instruction.
