On-campus Master’s Degree Program FAQ

While there is no minimum GPA, successful applicants have generally earned an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.

The 2023-2024 average undergraduate GPA and the Interquartile Range of our Fall 2024 enrolled applicants for the programs listed below.

MPA: 3.35; interquartile range between 3.19 – 3.59

MHA: 3.46; interquartile range between 3.21 – 3.73

MPP: 3.57; interquartile range between 3.36 – 3.82

MLNM: 3.31; interquartile range between 2.87 – 3.72

MPPDS: 3.6; interquartile range between 3.49 – 3.68

MUP: 3.48; interquartile range between 3.19 – 3.81

Please visit USC Price Student Facts to learn more about our student population.

USC’s tuition is based on a per unit rate. The cost of attendance varies by semester and depends upon the number of units taken and the number of semesters enrolled. Detailed information concerning tuition and fees can be found in the USC Schedule of Classes.

Click on the following links for the tuition and fees per program:

MPA: In service – 40 units , pre-service – 41
MHA: 48 units
MPP: 48 units
MUP: 48 units
MPPDS: 36 units
MNLM: 40 units
MIPM: 32 units

USC Price programs have course sequencing that most students find compatible with working full-time. Courses are primarily offered in the evening or in the intensive format.

For information regarding our online programs, please visit Price Online.

The majority of the on-campus master’s degree programs must be completed at the USC University Park Campus adjacent to downtown Los Angeles. The MPA degree can be completed at the USC University Park Campus or online.

Please note that online students may not enroll in courses at either physical campus and students enrolled on campus may not take courses online.

The limit for transferable coursework is 12 units. All transferred coursework must be approved by the program department.

Transfer work must have been completed within seven years of admission or readmission to a USC master’s degree program. Students wishing to transfer coursework that is more than seven years old may request to do so, but they will need to demonstrate that the content remains current.

Yes. Non-degree students may enroll in some classes, however there are restrictions. Students may enroll in classes as a “limited status” student with permission from the degree program director. To apply for this designation, the student must complete a limited student status application and provide official or unofficial copies of their transcripts showing a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. The maximum number of units a student may complete under the limited status designation is 12 units (the limit for most Price programs is 8 units). Requirements for limited status students can be found here.

Please note that there is a $100 non-refundable processing fee charged by the university.

There is no thesis required, however your program may have another requirement for graduation. Please see your program for information regarding graduation requirements.

MPA: Capstone
MPP: Policy Analysis Practicum
MPPDS: Capstone
MUP: Capstone + Internship
MHA: 1,000 hour residency
MNLM: Policy analysis practicum
MRED: Comprehensive Examination

Once a student begins a Price program, applicable coursework (such as a statistics course) may not be taken at another university. A student does, however, have the opportunity to take coursework in different schools at the University of Southern California if a request is approved by both the Price School and the partnering school.

On-Campus Programs
Fall
December 15 (scholarship deadline)
May 1 (international applicant final deadline)
July 1 (domestic applicant final deadline)

Spring (MUP, MPA)
November 1

For online application deadlines, please visit priceonline.usc.edu

The USC Office of Graduate Admission offers opportunities to receive an application fee waiver. Please look here for qualifiers and how to request an application fee waiver.

If you encounter problems with technical aspects of the application, you can seek help by clicking the “Tech Support” button located at the top or bottom of the application.

USC now accepts official electronic transcripts, provided the meet the following guidelines:
The transcript originates from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution.
The school is located in the United States. If located outside of the United States, we only accept electronic transcripts from India sent via TrueCopy Credentials. We do not accept electronic transcripts from any other overseas institutions or vendors.

Please instruct the vendor to email the transcript to [email protected]. Do not send any other materials or correspondence to this email address yourself. Electronic transcripts emailed to any other address will not be downloaded, resulting in a delay of your file review and an extra expense to you because the transcript will need to be re-sent.

If sending your transcripts via regular mail, please use the following address:

University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission
3601 South Flower Street, Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

When evaluating an applicant for admission, we are interested in both the academic and professional potential of an applicant. A letter of recommendation from a former professor aids the admission committee in determining the academic potential of a student.

Letters of recommendation must be done through the online application, and letters through the online system can be submitted before an application is submitted. USC Price WILL NOT accept hard copy letters of recommendation nor will we accept other supplemental materials through postal mail.

We recommend students submit transcripts from ALL colleges or universities wherein a student took coursework that will be cited on the application or that appears on transcripts from an institution at which they did receive a degree.

Study abroad transcripts usually do not need to be sent. Please contact the USC Office of Graduate Admission to inquire about the university requirements for transcripts.

Once an application is submitted, our staff works to process materials in a timely fashion. You will be contacted within a few weeks of submission to inform you of any materials that are missing. Once all materials are processed, you will receive an email notification to confirm the status. Please do not contact our office with inquiries until you hear from us first. Materials that are received after the application deadline will not negatively impact your application review.

For letters of recommendation: the online application system allows applicants to track when letters have been submitted and to send reminders to those who are providing a recommendation.

Yes. USC Price offers scholarships for domestic and international students. Please visit the Funding Your Education | USC Sol Price School of Public Policy Financial Aid section of our website for more details and an application.

The USC Financial Aid Office also provides financial aid packages to U.S. citizens and eligible non-U.S. citizens for loans and work-study. Additional information is available in the Supplemental Admission and Financial Aid materials.

For more information regarding available graduate scholarship opportunities, subscribe to our monthly Scholarship Newsletter!

For applications submitted by the scholarship deadline of December 15th, decisions are usually made available by early March.

The committee continuously reviews applications and releases decisions from March through our final deadline of July 1st.

No. In order to protect privacy, we only share information about the status of an application with the applicant.

Fact – Supporting documents such as transcripts, required test scores, and/or letters of recommendation may be submitted after the deadline! Later submissions will not negatively impact your application. It is actually preferred that transcripts arrive after you submit your application.

Fact – Apply to multiple programs will not negatively impact your application! Each program reviews applciations independently, and applying to more than one program can actually increase your chances of finding the right fit for your academic and career goals. You may eventually apply up to three USC graduate programs per academic term!

Fact – The holistic approach our application review committee makes sure that the application you have submitted will be reviewed and all information provided is taken in consideration when reviewing for admisssion. If you have scores that don’t meet the suggested minimum requirement, your application will still be up for review.

Fact – Completing your prerequisites before attending USC is preferred and beneficial but it is not required. If you decide to complete your prerequisite at USC, you will have to take the required course(s) during your first semester. As a benefit, students in the past will complete their prerequisite courses before attending USC at a community college or other accredited school where those courses are cheaper in cost, and can be taken online if possible. This will save you time, money, and room in your schedule at USC to get ahead of your required courses.

We will require financial documentation only if you are admitted to and choose to attend USC. Financial documents for graduate students are not required or accepted when you apply for admission. Please do not send any financial documents while your application is under consideration, as they will not be reviewed. Please reference the policy on submitting your financial documentation here.

USC Price has discontinued the GRE/GMAT requirement for admissions review. Applications will be reviewed holistically.

Please note: Applicants applying to the MPPDS program and both Ph.D. programs UPD & PPM will need to submit GRE/GMAT test scores for admission consideration. Applicants applying for the dual degree program with the Gould School of Law may submit LSAT test scores.

Electronic transcripts must be transmitted from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution.
Graduate Applicants: If an email address is required, please instruct the transcript service to email the transcript to [email protected].
Undergraduate Applicants: If an email address is required, please instruct the transcript service to email the transcript to [email protected].
Do not send any other materials or correspondence to these email addresses. Electronic transcripts emailed to any other addresses will not be downloaded, which will delay the review of your application and create an extra expense for you if the transcript needs to be re-sent.

Yes. When applying to a dual degree program, a student is applying to two separate programs which have separate admission committees. Thus, an applicant could gain admission to both programs, one program, or neither program. For a listing of dual degrees, please click here.

Applicants only need to pay the application fee for one application. Be sure to carefully follow the instructions posted here to request a fee waiver.

TOEFL/IELTS scores must be submitted electronically from the ETS website to “U Southern Cal,” ETS code 4852. You do not need to provide a department code. However, if the ETS system requires one, just select the one that is the best fit. All TOEFL/IELTS scores are automatically sent to our Graduate and International Admission Office, so it doesn’t matter what department you select.

Valid TOEFL/IELTS scores must be dated within two years of the start of the intended application semester. The Fall semester starts in August, and the Spring semester starts in January. Please see the Office of Graduate Admission website for information regarding international student concerns, such as English proficiency test scores, international transcripts, and visa requirements.

International graduate applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting either TOEFL or IELTS scores. For details on the requirement and for information on waiving the English Language requirement, visit USC Graduate Admission’s English Proficiency page.

Although required for admission, all complete applications receive a full review regardless of the TOEFL/IELTS scores submitted. Visit USC Graduate Admission’s English Proficiency page for detailed information about TOEFL/IELTS requirements.

The Office of International Services (OIS) at USC offers a wide range of services, including help with official documents, immigration questions, employment, financial aid and practical matters.

For questions about your I-20, please refer to the Ask USC page.

We will require financial documentation only if you are admitted to and choose to attend USC. Financial documents for graduate students are not required or accepted when you apply for admission. Please do not send any financial documents while your application is under consideration, as they will not be reviewed. Please reference the policy on submitting your financial documentation here.

Yes. Graduate students may take relevant graduate-level courses in other departments at USC. Students must receive approval from both the Price School and the department/school under which the course is listed. In most cases, students may take some of their electives in another graduate program. Students should seek approval from a degree director prior to taking coursework in another department.

The supportive academic environment at USC Price prepares applicants to become leaders in the government, nonprofit, and private sectors. Graduates typically compete well in the job market. In addition, the Price School offers many opportunities for students to make invaluable alumni, mentors, and professional contacts through our programs and student services. Lifelong job resources are available to all Price alumni who graduate from one of our programs. For more information regarding employment data, please visit our Office of Careers Services webpage.

Limited space is available for on-campus graduate housing. Most students choose to live off-campus in the nearby area or in other popular neighborhoods around Los Angeles. It is easier than ever now to get around the city, with a metro rail and metro bus stops directly adjacent to the University Park campus.

Information about on-campus housing can be found here.

Appointments are encouraged and Price School staff are happy to schedule an admission visit. Prospective students have several options when visiting our program. Choose to visit a class, speak to a current student, and/or speak with an admissions representative or program director–we are committed to answering all of your questions. Please allow at least one week to accommodate a formal visit request.

To speak with a current student, visit the Student Ambassadors section of our website.

Yes. In the fall of each year, the admission counselors travel to locations to attend grad fairs. Most likely they will be visiting a city near you. The location of those grad fairs will be made public towards the fall season. In the meantime, attend one of our Information Sessions. If we are not visiting an area close to you, please call or email with any questions.