While there is no minimum, successful applicants generally have earned at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA.
For 2021-22, the average GPA was 3.44 and the interquartile range was between 3.25 – 3.60
Please visit USC Price Student Facts to learn more about our student population.
USC’s tuition is based on a per unit rate of $2,035 for the 2021-22 school year.The MHA is a 48 unit program. The cost of attendance varies by semester and depends upon the number of units taken and number of semesters enrolled. Detailed information concerning tuition and fees can be found in the USC Schedule of Classes.
The MHA is offered at our University Park campus and has course sequencing that many students find compatible with working full-time while attending USC part-time. Courses are primarily offered in the evening or in the intensive format.
The entire program is completed at the University of Southern California University Park campus adjacent to downtown Los Angeles.
The maximum number of transfer credits that may be applied toward a master’s degree, subject to departmental approval is:
• Four units in programs requiring 24-32 units
• Eight units in programs requiring 33-40 units
• Twelve units in programs requiring 41 or more units
• A maximum of four units of transfer credit may be applied toward an approved dual degree program
The same limits apply if a student wishes to transfer credits from any advanced degree previously completed at USC toward a master’s degree.
Transfer work must have been completed within seven years of admission or readmission to a USC master’s degree program to be applied toward that degree. 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 is current.
Yes, non-degree students may enroll in some classes, however there are restrictions. You may enroll in classes as a “limited status” student with permission from the degree program director. In order to apply for this designation, you must complete a limited student status application and provide official or unofficial copies of your transcripts. 12 units are the maximum you may complete as a limited status student (most Price programs limit to 8 units). Requirements for limited status can be found here.
The Master of Health Administration (MHA) program has a statistics prerequisite. The MHA Faculty requires all entering students to demonstrate proficiency in relevant statistical methods. The statistics prerequisite can be satisfied in one of two ways: Completion of a college-level statistics course with a grade of “B” or better taken within three years of matriculation in the MHA program OR PPD 504-Essential Statistics for Public Management. If students have not completed a college-level statistics course with a grade of “B” or better within three years of matriculation in the MHA program, they will need to enroll in PPD 504 and receive a grade of “B” or better. Please note this is an enrollment requirement and not an application requirement. Many admitted applicants will complete the prerequisites in the summer before starting the MHA.
There is no thesis required.
Once a student begins the program, coursework from another university such as a statistics course will not be applied toward your degree at USC. A student does have the opportunity to take elective coursework in different schools at the University of Southern California if the request is approved by both USC Price and the other school.
Fall:
December 15 (scholarship deadline)
May 1 (international applicant final deadline)
July 1 (domestic applicant final deadline)
The USC Office of Graduate Admissions 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. That button should read “contact us”.
E-transcripts: USC now accepts official electronic transcripts, provided they 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 the United States, we accept electronic transcripts only 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 e-mailed 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 you transcripts need to be mailed:
University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission
3601 South Flower Street, Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915
If sending your transcripts via courier service, such as DHL or FedEx,
University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission and Financial Aid
3601 South Flower Street, Tyler 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 any and all colleges or universities where a student took coursework that they either plan to list in their application or that appears on transcripts from institutions from which they received a degree.
Study abroad transcripts usually do not need to be sent. Please follow up with the USC Graduate Admission office about their requirements for transcripts using this email portal.
Our staff works to process the materials in a timely fashion as soon as an application is submitted. You will be contacted within a couple weeks of submission to inform you of any materials that are missing. Once all materials are received, you will get an email notification.
For letters of recommendation, the online application system allows you to track when those letters have been submitted and also allows you to send reminders to your recommenders. Please be aware that supporting documents and scores are not matched to applications until the application is submitted and a 10-digit USC ID number is created.
Yes. USC Price offers scholarship and graduate assistantships for domestic and international students. Please visit the Financial Aid section of our Web site for more details and an application.
For applications submitted by the scholarship deadline of Dec. 15, the committee typically starts releasing decisions in late Feb.
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.
Price has discontinued the GRE/GMAT requirement for admissions review. Applications will be reviewed holistically.
IMPORTANT: USC does not set minimum scores for admission purposes. The scores listed below are used for placement purposes only to determine if an admitted student will need to take the International Student English (ISE) Examination upon arrival at USC.
TOEFL: No lower than a total score of 100 on the Internet-based test, with no less than 20 on each of the four test components.
IELTS: Score of 7, with no less than 6.5 on each band score.
TOEFL scores must be no more than two years old from your intended start date. For example, if you wish to start in fall 2022, scores cannot be older than August 2020. USC Price only accepts the Internet- based version of the exam. USC Price doesn’t accept paper-based exam.
We do not waive the English-proficiency requirement based on either a graduate degree from a university in the U.S. or other qualifying country or an undergraduate program taught in English in a non-Anglophone country. We are unable to make any exceptions to this policy. Official scores must be received directly from the testing service and date no earlier than 2 years (24 months) prior to the start of your intended first term at USC. Information on this policy and how you can qualify for a wavier can be found here.
All transcripts and degree certificates/diplomas must be written in the original language. All original-language documents must be accompanied by a separate, word-for-word English translation.
The U.S. government requires all international applicants to provide proof of ability to pay tuition and living expenses for themselves and their dependents (if applicable) before a formal letter of admission and 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.
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.
There are two ways to do this:
You may obtain your own I-20, enter the United States and then apply for your family members’ I-20 forms through the USC Office of International Services (OIS). For more information, e-mail [email protected].
Alternatively, you may obtain I-20 forms for your family members before you arrive in the United States. You must provide the following information for each of your dependents:
• Last (family), first (given) and middle name, exactly as each name appears on the passport. Please write the last name in all capital letters.
• Date of birth (month/day/year)
• Country of birth
• Country of citizenship
• Relationship to you (husband, wife, son or daughter)
Contact [email protected] for more information.
Yes. While international students are not eligible for need-based loans, they are able to compete for scholarships. Please refer to our scholarship and assistantships page.
Yes, you must submit two applications. When applying to a dual degree program you are in fact applying to two separate programs that have separate admission committees. Thus, an applicant could gain admission into both programs, only one program, or neither program. The MHA offers a dual degree with the Davis School of Gerontology. Information can be found here.
No, Applicants only need to pay the application fee for one application. Be sure to carefully follow the instructions posted here.
Graduates of the Price School of Public Policy compete well in the job market. USC is known for a strong alumni support network. The Price School of Public Policy offers many opportunities for students to make the most of those contacts through professional support and guidance. More information can be found here.
Yes, you must receive approval from both USC Price and the department in which you seek to take a course. Graduate students may often take some of their electives in another graduate program. Students should seek approval in advance from their degree directors prior to taking coursework in another department.
Limited spaces are available in on-campus housing for graduate students. Most students choose to live off-campus in the nearby area or in other popular neighborhoods around Los Angeles. Information about on campus housing can be found here.
Appointments are encouraged. Our staff would be happy to schedule an admission visit with you. Please allow at least one week to accommodate requests.
To speak with a current student, you may visit the Student Ambassadors section of our website.
Yes. Please visit our Recruitment Schedule page to find out if a representative from our office will be visiting your area. If we are not visiting an area close to you, please call or email us with any questions.