The University of Southern California, often referred to as USC, offers master’s degrees wholly online in more than 15 fields. Students can choose to take these classes at a typical pace or they can look for accelerated programs. Referred to as the “fast track program” by USC, accelerated master’s degrees can be completed in four terms or less.
The University of Southern California appears in our ranking of the Top 15 Most Affordable Accelerated Master’s in Biomedical Engineering Online.
Business degrees offered online include the Master of Science in Global Supply Chain Management, a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Business Taxation. While the MSGSCM and the MBA have in-seat requirements for a small portion of learning, the MBT is fully online. Most students complete the MBT in seven to eight semesters, but an accelerated option is available that allows students to graduate after only 21 months.
Computer science degrees can be completed in about 3.5 years for students who are enrolled part-time or two years for those who wish to fast-track their studies. The Master of Science in Computer Science is offered with such concentrations as data science, computer security, and software engineering.
Some of the quickest degrees that can be completed online through USC are those offered in the education field. Students can complete their master’s degrees in as little as 15 months. Education degrees offered include Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education in School Counseling, and Master of Education in Learning Design and Technology. Likewise, the USC Master of Communication Management and the Master of Science in Applied Psychology can both be completed in 16 months.
Other fields that have master’s programs online include dentistry, integrated design, engineering, gerontology, geographic information science, health and medicine, law, library science, professional studies, public policy, and social work.
About the University of Southern California
USC is a private research university located in Los Angeles, California. It is the oldest private research university in California and the largest private employer in the city of Los Angeles.
USC is a highly respected university with a selective admissions policy. Only about 11 percent of undergraduate applicants are offered a spot among the 19,000 undergraduate population.
The university continues to enjoy a high ranking by bodies like U.S. News and World Report, The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education. USC was ranked 22nd, 17th, and 18th among all public and private universities in the nation, respectively.
Graduates of USC can consider themselves among an elite class of alums. Former notable students at USC include George Lucas, Neil Armstrong, John Wayne, Pat Nixon, and Marcus Allen. In addition, nine Nobel laureates have matriculated at this university.
University of Southern California Accreditation Details
USC is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Senior College, and the University Commission. This accreditation approves all undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as any post-graduate certificates. The accreditation is applicable to the traditional campus and USC’s online campus.
In addition to the WSCUC accreditation, many of USC’s individual programs hold accreditations from bodies that specialize in those areas.
University of Southern California Application Requirements
Students who wish to join USC’s online master’s programs must apply to USC graduate school. Students should first decide which program they wish to join to learn about deadlines and any specific requirements for that program.
All students must take either the GRE or the GMAT. Students who have already taken one of these tests may submit past test scores as long as the test was not taken more than five years before graduate classes are scheduled to begin.
Graduate applicants must have a resume or a curriculum vitae. USC recommends that students take ample time to highlight skills, achievements, and work experience. Applicants should also request recommendation letters from professors, administrators, and/or professionals. The number and types of recommendation letters are dependent upon the specific graduate program. Students will also need transcripts from previous institutions. Other materials that may be required include a statement of purpose, a writing sample, or a portfolio.
Applicants apply to their chosen program(s) online through the USC graduate school application portal. Most application fees are $90, though some may cost up to $175. Students are only permitted to apply to a maximum of three programs.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The cost of taking online classes through USC’s graduate school depends directly on the chosen program. The pharmacy program is $1,894 for each unit. Business courses are $1,912 per unit. Cinematic arts units are $1,982 per unit. The engineering program is $2,005 for each unit. Real estate courses are $2,066 for each unit. Law sessions are $2,447 per unit. All other graduate courses online are $1,863 for each unit.
Along with the cost of tuition, online graduate students are charged fees for certain courses of study. The dissertation fee is $115, which covers the cost of processing the dissertation and publishing the abstract. The thesis fee, which also covers the cost of processing, is $105. Any students who wish to test out of specific courses may do so at a cost of $931.50. Other fees, including costs of materials, may apply.
Financial aid may be used to pay for online classes. Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to receive any need-based state or federal grants. The FAFSA is also used to determine if a student is eligible for work-study and certain student loans.
Many graduate students who take courses online take advantage of employer-sponsored tuition assistance. USC works with these students to allow them to defer the cost of tuition. Students must pay all related fees and a portion of the tuition in order to take classes. They must also provide a written statement from the employer that verifies tuition will be covered. Students who are employed by USC may use automatic payroll deductions to cover the cost of tuition.
Learn more about the University of Southern California online master’s degrees by visiting the university website.
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