Your Viterbi Master's Degree. Your Terms.

Deferral requests will be considered if you have experienced unexpected circumstances that will prevent you from applying for, or enrolling in, the semester that you originally intended. Please read the following carefully:

• You may submit a request to defer your application for a future semester within one year of your original application semester (Example: If you are admitted to Fall 2025, you could request to defer your admission to Spring 2026 or Fall 2026)
• Admission is not guaranteed, and deferred applications are reviewed along with all other applications for that term
• You do not need to submit a new application or pay the application fee again. You will need to submit any information that has changed since your original application, including updated/final transcripts, valid and official test scores, and/or financial documents
• You can only defer to semesters for which your program has a start term (i.e., if a program does not have a spring start, you cannot defer to spring; you would need to defer to the following fall)
• All updated application materials need to be received by the application deadline for the new semester to which you are applying.

Next Step:
Complete and submit the Deferral Request Form. You will receive a confirmation of your submission and further instructions.

IMPORTANT:
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have fully withdrawn/dropped from all registered courses. This is in addition to withdrawing or deferring your enrollment/admission and must be done to avoid being charged fees. Please visit the following links for instructions on how to properly drop a course:

Dropping a Class
How do I drop a course?

No, DEN@Viterbi is a delivery method. Students adhere to the same curriculum, exams, homework, and academic standards; therefore, the diploma earned is the same.

The best way to connect with your department before committing to USC is by attending, or watching the recording of, an Admitted Student Department Webinar. After you submit your Statement of Intent, you’ll receive regular communication from the Viterbi Admission and Student Engagement (VASE) office via your USC email, including invitations to academic department webinars. During these sessions, typically held in the summer, academic advisors introduce course registration and next steps.

Yes. Admitted DEN@Viterbi students are able to participate in a range of virtual and in-person events designed to help you connect with faculty and meet future classmates.

Explore admitted student events →

Please contact den@viterbi.usc.edu so our team can assist you.

Lectures are available both synchronously and asynchronously. Students can watch lectures live as it’s happening on campus by joining the live session or review on-demand as a recording on their own time. DEN@Viterbi was designed to provide a flexible learning experience for students who may be working professionals.

Yes, DEN@Viterbi students have a physical seat in every class they enroll in and the flexibility to attend lectures in person when it works with their schedule.

DEN@Viterbi students are expected to take their exams at a proctor located either near your home or work. Students residing in the following counties: Los Angeles, Ventura or Orange would take their exams at USC campus. Our DEN Exam coordinator will work with you to ensure a proctor is identified.

Yes, we offer the DEN@Viterbi Scholarship which is merit-based for outstanding students pursuing a master’s degree online. For those who are active-duty military, we offer a Viterbi Active-Duty Military Scholarship, which is merit-based. More information, including eligibility, can be found on the respective pages. USC Viterbi offers unlimited Yellow Ribbon awards to eligible US. Veteran and Active-Duty candidates.

Yes, students who are supported by a company can defer payment of up to 90% of tuition until after the semester is over. Please visit the Employer Reimbursement Deferment page for more information.