University of Southern California

• Personal StatementRequired

  Personal Statement (listed among the materials required to be included with the online application).

• Resume/CVRequired

  Resume/CV (listed among the materials required to be included with the online application).

• TranscriptsRequired

  Upload registrar-issued transcripts (electronic or scanned) from all colleges and universities attended. Master's applicants are not required to submit hard copies at the time of application; transcripts should be on university letterhead, and unofficial transcripts from student portals or transcripts marked unofficial are not acceptable. Admitted students get instructions for hard copies.

• Letter of Recommendation (Optional)Letters (number not stated) · recommended, not required

  'Letter of Recommendation (Optional)'. The page doesn't give a number of letters or say who should write them.

  Listed under 'The following materials are required to be included with your online application:' as 'Letter of Recommendation (Optional)'. No number of letters is stated. Letters are submitted through the online application and may arrive after you submit.

• GRE not requiredNot accepted

  The GRE is not required for 2027 applicants. Scores submitted will not be reviewed.

• Duolingo English Test (not accepted)If your degree wasn't taught in EnglishNot accepted

  USC does not accept the ETS iBT Best or Duolingo scores.

• IELTS Academic, PTE Academic or TOEFL iBTIf your degree wasn't taught in EnglishRequired

  IELTS Academic: IELTS Academic and IELTS Online accepted for international applicants. No university-wide minimum; master's students are exempt from the ISE placement exam with 6.5 or above and 6 or above on each band. Scores must be dated within 2 years of the date you submit your application; no superscoring.

  PTE Academic: PTE Academic and PTE Academic Online accepted for international applicants. No university-wide minimum; master's students are exempt from the ISE placement exam with 61 or above and 53 or above on each band. Scores must be dated within 2 years of the date you submit your application.

  TOEFL iBT: Accepted for international applicants (iBT Home Edition, iBT Paper Edition, or in-center iBT). USC does not set university-wide score minimums for graduate admission; master's students are exempt from the ISE placement exam with 90 or above and 20 or above in each section (tests before January 21, 2026) or 4.5 or above and 4 or above in each section (tests on or after January 21, 2026). Scores must be dated within 2 years of the date you submit your application; no superscoring. ETS code 4852.

  Waiver / exemption: Exempt: U.S. citizens and permanent residents (domestic applicants); holders of a USC degree or current USC degree students; a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. university or the equivalent from a qualifying Anglophone country where English is both the only official language and the language of instruction (dual-degree holders who completed only part there do not qualify); a completed master's or doctoral degree from such a country; native English speakers. Not waived for work experience, time in the U.S., or English-taught programs in non-Anglophone countries.

Who can apply

• Bachelor's degreeRequired

  Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or be in the process of completing a bachelor's degree. Most applicants have degrees in computer science or closely related fields; those who do not should meet the eligibility criteria on the MSCS Eligibility Criteria page.

• MSCS eligibility: at least three core Computer Science coursesOptional

  For applicants without a directly related degree: a minimum of three (3) of the Core Computer Science Courses (Artificial Intelligence, Geometric Modeling, Brain Theory, Operating Systems, Compilers, Robotics, Computer Architecture, Software Design in Computer Science, Computer Organization, Software Engineering, Computer Communications, 3D Graphics and Rendering, Computer Vision, Web Technologies, Database Systems). Applicants must have taken or be in the process of taking courses in these areas. Not an exhaustive list; applications are reviewed holistically.

• MSCS eligibility: at least one Computer Science related mathematics courseOptional

  For applicants without a directly related degree: a minimum of one (1) of the Computer Science Related Mathematics Courses (Algorithms, Data Structures, Discrete Math, Discrete Structures, Numerical Computation). Not an exhaustive list; applications are reviewed holistically.

• Computer Science coursework (applicants without a directly related degree)Optional

  Applicants without a bachelor's degree in a directly related field may still be considered if they have completed and demonstrated strong proficiency in the following coursework (or equivalent): Computer Science. This is not an exhaustive list; applications are reviewed holistically.

• Math coursework (applicants without a directly related degree)Optional

  Applicants without a bachelor's degree in a directly related field may still be considered if they have completed and demonstrated strong proficiency in the following coursework (or equivalent): Math. This is not an exhaustive list; applications are reviewed holistically.

• School guidance · RequiredIt should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program at the Viterbi School of Engineering, your preparation for this field of study, study interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study.

  It should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program at the Viterbi School of Engineering, your preparation for this field of study, study interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study.

  The program's actual essay question is inside the application.