MIPM Application Materials and Deadlines
Application Deadlines
Fall 2025
- Priority Deadline: March 15, 2025
- International Deadline: May 1, 2025
- Domestic Deadline: July 1, 2025
USC Graduate Application
- A USC Graduate Application —available through the USC graduate student website. Select Term “Fall.” Then select “International Public Policy and Management – M.I.P.M.” for Intended Program of Study.
- Application Fee: $90
Official Transcripts
Applicants to USC graduate programs must submit official transcripts from all colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions they have previously attended.
To ensure that your transcripts are properly submitted and meet our review criteria, please carefully read and follow the guidelines below.
Transcripts and other academic records must be issued directly by the registrar’s office of your previous school(s) and bear the official registrar’s stamp or signature. All other security features must be intact. Unofficial records such as print-outs from student portals are not acceptable for admission review.
International Transcripts
If you completed your previous studies outside the United States, check our country-specific requirements to determine if we need original-language copies of your academic records.
In these cases, we need transcripts issued in the original language of instruction, accompanied by a separate, word-for-word, English-language translation of all records.
The translation should be issued either directly from the school itself or by a professional, certified translator. It must contain all information shown on the original-language documents and “mirror” it as precisely as possible. Dual-language transcripts are also acceptable.
USC does not accept credential evaluation reports from outside agencies (e.g., WES, ECE, etc.) for the purposes of admission review. Only academic records issued directly by the school are acceptable.
Submitting Transcripts
Transcripts can be submitted by one of the following three options:
1) If you already have official transcripts on hand, you may scan and upload them directly to the “Academic History” section of the online application. Do not upload unofficial print-outs from student portals.
2) Official hard-copy transcripts can be sent via postal mail or courier to USC.
Mail hard copies to:
University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission
3601 South Flower Street, Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915
Have your transcripts delivered by courier to:
University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission
3601 South Flower Street, Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915
3) Official e-transcripts can be transmitted directly to USC by your previous institution(s).
The transcript must originate from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution.
Please instruct the vendor to email the transcripts to [email protected]. Do not send any other materials to this email address yourself. E-transcripts sent to any other address will not be downloaded, which will delay the review of your file and require you to pay for a new e-transcript to be sent.
IMPORTANT: If you are submitting transcripts via options 2 or 3, please do not send them until after you have submitted your application online and received your 10-digit USC ID number.
Please note that some USC graduate departments prefer that transcripts be sent directly to them, rather than to the central Graduate Admission processing office. To verify your department’s policy, refer to the website of your intended graduate program. In such cases, you are responsible for confirming receipt by the department.
Letters of Recommendation
- A minimum of three letters of recommendation, including at least one academic reference from a professor who taught a course in which you were enrolled and at least one professional reference from a work supervisor or employer. Letters from family friends or ESL schools generally do not count toward the requirement. Please note: Letters of recommendation must be submitted through the online application system. The Price School does not accept letters of recommendation through postal mail or an applicant’s email
Resume
- A current and updated resume submitted via online application.
Statement of Purpose
- Submitted via online application as a ‘Supporting Documents Upload.’ Describe the following:
- 1. Your reasons for applying to the International Public Policy and Management Program and how you see the program contributing to your professional goals or personal growth.
- 2. Your academic interests and the skills or knowledge you hope to gain.
- 3. Please share how your experiences, background, and/or interests have shaped you and will shape your engagement in the Price community
- Aim for a length of approximately 1,000-1,500 words.
English Language Requirement
- International applicants must submit an official TOEFL or IELTS Test Score.
- TOEFL
- The score report must be sent electronically from ETS for the TOEFL or from the IELTS test center.
- The test must be dated no earlier than 2 years (24 months) before the start of your intended first term at USC. TOEFL scores, the institution code for USC is 4852 (no department code is required)
- IELTS
- To submit an IELTS score, please select the “University of Southern California” from the list of available institutions when you register to take the IELTS test.
- Do not enter the name, contact information or mailing address of the specific USC department you are applying to on your IELTS registration.
- If you have already taken the IELTS, you may request that your test results be sent to USC by contacting the test center at which you took the test and requesting that your results be sent to the University of Southern California electronically, not by postal mail.
- You can search for contact details for all IELTS test centers. USC will only accept IELTS scores sent electronically from the IELTS test center where you took the test.
- Paper test report forms received by postal mail or email are not accepted.
- USC Graduate Admissions does not accept Duolingo Test Scores as proof of English proficiency.
Proof of Financial Support
If you are an international student planning to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa, please click here to determine if you are exempt from these visa categories.
The U.S. government requires all international applicants provide proof-of-ability to pay tuition and living expenses for themselves and their dependents (if applicable) before an I-20 or DS-2019 Eligibility Certificate can be issued. A missing financial statement will delay the processing of the I-20 or DS-2019. Students will receive their admissions letter with instructions to submit their documentation through the Trojan International Portal.
Funding Your Education
Price Community Impact Scholarship
Master of International Public Policy and Management (MIPM) Scholarships