Degree Time to Completion and Completion Rates

Most students pursue the MPA program as full-time students and complete the program in two-three years. Students may also enroll in the MPA program as “part-time” and may complete the program in three to five years. The time limit for completing a master’s degree at USC is five years. The average time to complete the MPA program for all students is 1.94 years*.

Students who enter the MPA program have extremely high completion and retention rates, with most students completing the degree in two years*. See below chart for details.

*An Academic Year is defined as the fall term of the given year through the following summer term.