Students with an interest in the characterization, selection and processing of engineering materials, and in materials problems related to engineering design, may work toward a MS in Materials Engineering.
This degree is awarded in conformity with the general requirements of the Viterbi School of Engineering. Students may elect to work for this degree in either the Materials Science or Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering departments. The specific courses that constitute an acceptable program must be approved in advance by the administering department.
International Students: This program is eligible for the OPT STEM extension.
Visit our Profiles Page to learn more about our students and alumni
Please Note: Requirements for graduation, course offerings, course availability, track offerings and any other degree requirements are subject to change. Students should consult with an academic advisor prior to registering for any classes.
- A minimum of 28 units is required for the general MS in Materials Engineering degree
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation
Detailed Program Curriculum and RequirementsMaterials Engineering Course GuideSchedule of Classes
APPLICATION DEADLINES
| SEMESTER | DEADLINE |
| Spring | September 1 |
| Fall | December 15 |
Visit our Ready to Apply page for more information.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in any engineering or engineering-related disciplines including but not limited to: Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, and Physics.
The following materials are required to be included with your online application:
- Transcripts: Upload Electronic Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. A mailed hard copy or official e-transcript is not required for admission to our programs.
- Submit an electronic copy of official transcripts (.pdf recommended) and other degree related documents through the online graduate application (International applicants, visit USC Graduate Admission’s Country Requirements page for details on required documents)
- Unofficial transcripts from university student portals are not acceptable
- If the transcript includes a separate grading scale, make sure it is also uploaded
- For upload purposes, all transcript related documents for a single school must be submitted as one document
- If you are admitted, you will be given specific instructions on submitting your hard copy transcripts
- Resume/CV
- Personal Statement : The personal statement 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.
- GRE: General GRE test scores are not required for 2025
- Letters of Recommendation (3 Required): Letters of recommendation should be from faculty or others (supervisors, professional colleagues, etc.) qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
English Language Proficiency: In addition to application requirements above, international students whose first language is not English are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS. There is no minimum TOEFL or IELTS score required for admission to the Viterbi School. For possible exemption from additional language requirements, you must achieve an Internet Based TOEFL (iBT) score of 90, with no less than 20 on each section or an IELTS score of 6.5, with no less than 6 on each band score. Please review USC Graduate Admission – Proficiency in English.
IMPORTANT: USC does not accept Duolingo and TOEFL Essentials test scores.
APPLY NOW - USC GRADUATE APPLICATION
The following link will take you to an overview of the tuition & fees for graduate engineering students, including payment information. Both on-campus and DEN@Viterbi students pay the same tuition
TUITION AND FEES OVERVIEW
Use the link below to download the Cost of Attendance to see a summary of tuition and fees by semester. The document is a typical example and the number of courses, and time to complete the program, will vary by student.
Estimated Cost of Attendance - 28 Unit Program
RABIA ALI
What were the main reasons you chose to pursue this graduate program at USC?
I went to USC for undergrad for chemical engineering and thoroughly enjoyed my experience. The tight-knit and supportive community of engineering students and professors at USC encouraged me to further my education here. I knfew I could thrive as a graduate student at this university because of the quality education USC offers and the many organizations, such as the Center for Engineering Diversity and the Society of Women Engineers, that present amazing opportunities to engineering students from minority backgrounds.
Tell us about an exciting and unforgettable experience from your time so far at USC.
During my time at USC, I took a theater class called medical clowning. Through improv exercises dressed as a clown, I found the confidence to leave my shell and embrace my true self. I also went skydiving the day before my undergraduate graduation from USC! Falling from the sky was an unforgettable and enjoyable experience.
What are some personal achievements or experiences you’d like to share?
I am the first person in my family to graduate college and with an engineering degree. As an engineer, I hope to give back to my family and community for cultivating me into the person I am today.
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SAVITOJ AULAKH
Tell us about an exciting and unforgettable experience from your time so far at USC.
My favorite USC experience was the basketball game of USC vs UCLA at the Galen Center. I also had a chance to live in USC ResEd Housing which organized many events throughout the year that were fun and left some good memories in my mind.
What do you like most about living in Los Angeles?
I can do anything I want. I can skate through downtown, the Arts District, and Little Tokyo, and the Metro home is $1.75. We have so much culture, art, nature, amusement parks and of course great colleges. The best part is the friendships you make in the city, which I believe I will miss the most when I'm not in L.A.
What advice would you give future Viterbi students?
I would ask them to first be a part of the school spirit and be proud of their own identity. Get involved in activities that interest you the most as it not only helps you have a sense of community while at USC but also lets you think and set objectives more clearly with the support of fellow Trojans and alumni.
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ZHANGZHENGRONG JUSTIN FENG
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I finished my undergraduate studies in Mechanical engineering at Boston University. Then I applied to USC for my masters degree in materials engineering. I have completed my graduate studies and now applied to USC’s PhD program in Civil Engineering.
Tell us about some exciting and unforgettable incidents from your time so far at USC?
I was involved with the Viterbi Graduate Student Association (VGSA) and it really helped me make a lot of acquaintances from different countries. Exposure to different cultures helped my overall growth as a professional. I helped VGSA in organizing a lot of events and also helped new students adjust to USC.
Is there something that may surprise people to know about you?
People who know me, never believed that I could do research or even get enrolled in a PhD program. My family was not much into academics and people thought the same for me. But here I am, all set to begin my PhD journey in a few months.
Alumni Employment
- Alfred Mann Institute of Biomedical Engineering
- Amazon Web Services
- Applied Materials, Inc.
- Black Fur Industries
- Boeing - Materials & Process Engineer
- Boeing - Systems Engineer
- Dell, Inc. - Supplier Process Engineer
- Northrop Grumman Corporation - Principal FTL Systems Engineer
- Northrop Grumman Corporation - Materials & Process Engineering
- Northrop Grumman Corporation - Materials Engineer
- Raytheon Technologies - Principle Mechanical Engineer
- United States Space Force - Systems Engineer
Internships
Employnet Inc.; Proterra Inc; QuantumScape
This program is also available online to professional engineers through DEN@Viterbi. Because the DEN@Viterbi program provides a fully equivalent academic experience, the degree a USC engineering student earns is the same whether they are on-campus or online.
If you are interested in beginning classes as a DEN@Viterbi student next semester, explore the requirements and steps to enrolling as a Limited Status Student.
Learn More About DEN@Viterbi
Detailed Program Curriculum and RequirementsSchedule of Classes
DEN@VITERBI ONLINE COURSE OFFERINGS
The following courses and program requirements serve as program planning for DEN@Viterbi students. Course offerings and availability are subject to change. Please consult with advisor if you have any questions.
| Degree Requirements |
| This degree is awarded in conformity with the general requirements of the Viterbi School of Engineering. The specific courses that constitute an acceptable program must be approved in advance by Material Science Program. |
| MASC Courses - 12 units |
| MASC 503 | Thermodynamics of Materials (4 units) |
| MASC 504 | Diffusion and Phase Equilibria (4 units) |
| MASC 551 | Mechanical Behavior of Engineering Materials (4 units) |
| Electives - 16 units |
| Electives: 16 units of electives are required. Students may choose 8-16 units of MASC courses or they can choose 0-8 units of non-MASC courses. Please consult with your department advisor for elective approval. Students can apply 400 level classes towards elective requirements per adviser's approval. |
| Please note that Graduate Students Cannot Count More than 8 units of 400 Level Courses towards Their MS Degree. |
| MASC 560 | Fatigue and Fracture (3 units) |
| MASC 575 | Basics of Atomistic Simulation of Materials (3 units) |
| MASC 583 | Materials Selection (4 units) |
| AME 503 | Advanced Mechanical Design (3 units) |
| AME 509 | Applied Elasticity (4 units) |
| AME 525 | Engineering Analysis (4 units) |
| AME 526 |Introduction to Mathematical Methods in Engineering II (4 units) |
| AME 577 | Survey of Energy and Power for a Sustainable Future (3 units) |
| AME 578 | Modern Alternative Energy Conversion Devices (3 units) |
| CE 507 | Mechanics of Solids I (3 units) |
| CE 529a | Finite Element Analysis (3 units) |
| CE 546 | Structural Mechanics of Composite Materials (3 units) |
| CHE 501 | Modeling and Analysis of Chemical Engineering Systems (3 units) |
| EE 537 | Modern Solid-State Devices (4 units) |
| ENE 505 | Energy and the Environment (4 units) |
| ISE 515 | Engineering Project Management (3 units) |
| ISE 525 | Design of Experiments (3 units) |
Please complete the following form for more information.
