Transportation is a dynamic field with many aspects. The Master of Science in Emerging Transportation Systems prepares students from any undergraduate background for advanced positions in the private, public, or nonprofit sector as well as for advanced graduate study. The program core provides students with a broad basis for understanding transportation systems and needs. A required specialization provides particular depth in a focused aspect of transportation systems relating to particular set of methods or problem domain.
Students learn:
- the design, provision, operation, and effectiveness of transportation services in the larger context of economic and social systems;
- how organizations can best adapt to changes affecting the transportation environment in which services are demanded and provided, including the the relationships between transportation, technology, information services, and regulatory requirements;
- to characterize, analyze, and address complex transportation problems at the system level by relying on both theory and applied analytical methods.
Students in this program will choose from one of four recommended areas of study:
- Transportation Infrastructure Systems
- Geographic Information Systems
- Data Informatics
- Systems Architecting
International Students: This program is eligible for the OPT STEM extension.
- This program requires completion of 32-35 units of coursework
- Thesis option and Directed Research (research without thesis) may be requested after completing first semester. Thesis option is not guaranteed
- USC Catalogue
- USC Schedule of Classes
APPLICATION DEADLINES
| SEMESTER | DEADLINE |
| Spring | September 1 |
| Fall | December 15 |
Visit our Ready to Apply page for more information
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants to the master's of science programs in Emerging Transportation Systems are required to have a bachelor’s degree or be in the process of completing a bachelor's degree. Degrees in any engineering or engineering-related disciplines are frequently represented among our program applicants, including but not limited to the following:
- Civil Engineering
- Transportation Engineering
Applicants without a Bachelor’s degree in the preferred majors listed above will only be considered with coursework and demonstrated proficiency in the acceptable courses listed below (or equivalent).
Applications are reviewed holistically; simply taking these courses does not guarantee admission.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
The following materials are required to be included with your online application:
- Transcripts
- Resume/CV
- Personal Statement
- Letter of Recommendation (2 required)
NOTE: The GRE is not required for 2026 applications.
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. Depending on the courses taken, this program takes between 32 and 35 units to complete.
Estimated Cost of Attendance - 32 Unit Program
Estimated Cost of Attendance - 35 Unit Program
JAMES HUANG
The MS in Civil Engineering - Transportation Systems Management enabled me to pursue an interdisciplinary exploration of the transportation field, and I wouldn't have been able to learn so many practical and theoretical transportation concepts without the incredible professors and community at USC Viterbi.
2024 First Destinations Survey - Outcomes*
Alumni Employment - 2024*
Companies & Job Titles (multiple positions may be listed)
- Ketan Savla - Research Assistant
Previous Years
- Beijing Metro Network Administration Co. Ltd. - Senior Project Manager / Manager, Partner Merchandising
- Yitong Logistic Inc. - Logistics Manager
.Internships (Previous Years)**
Aperture LLC; Barry & Wynn Architects, Inc.; Condon Johnson & Associates; Corgan Associates; DPR Construction; Mark G. Anderson Consultants, Inc.; Nebraska Department of Transportation; Structural Focus; Tipping Structural; San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency; VINCI Construction LLC; W.E. O'Neil; Walter P. Moore and Associates, Inc.; West Power Energy; WSP USA Inc.
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* Information is based on a voluntary survey and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive view of the 2024 graduating class.
** Internship data is from CPT internships done by our international student population.
This program is not available via DEN@Viterbi.
Please complete the following form for more information.
