Transportation is a dynamic field with many aspects. The Master of Science in Transportation Systems Management 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.
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 32-35 units is required to earn the MS in Transportation Systems Management degree
- Required Courses: 21-23 units
- Specialization Required Courses: 11-12 units
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation
Detailed Program Curriculum and RequirementsSchedule of Classes
APPLICATION DEADLINES
The application deadline for Fall 2023 has been extended to February 15, 2023.
| SEMESTER | DEADLINE |
| Spring 2024 | September 15, 2023 |
| Fall 2024 | December 15, 2023* |
Visit our
Ready to Apply page for more information.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants with backgrounds in Applied Social Science, Science, Technology, Engineering, and some design fields such as Architecture are eligible to apply for this program. Students from other undergraduate fields can also be accommodated so long as they have a sufficiently analytical background and perspective.
Majors considered include: .
- 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 2023
- Letters of Recommendation (2 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 is an overview of the tuition & fees for graduate engineering students. Both on-campus and DEN@Viterbi students pay the same tuition.
TUITION
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| Academic Year | Per Unit Rate | 3-unit Course | 4-unit Course |
| Fall 2023 - Summer 2024* | $2,424 | $7,272 | $9,696 |
| Fall 2022 - Summer 2023* | $2,309 | $6,927 | $9,236 |
| * Tuition is the same for on-campus and online students |
MANDATORY STUDENT FEES - 2023/24
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| Fee Description | Fee Amount | On-Campus | DEN@Viterbi |
| Student Health Center Fee | $600/semester | | |
| Norman Topping Student Aid Fee | $11/semester | | |
| ENGR Student Programming Fee (On-Campus students) | $40/semester | | |
| ENGR Student Programming Fee (DEN@Viterbi students) | $20/semester | | |
| Exam Proctoring | $40 - $100 per course | | |
| Transportation Fee | $93/semester | | |
| Health Insurance (U.S.-based health insurance is required, but it does not have to be through USC) | Fall 2023: $948
Spring 2024: $1,765 | | |
ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE - 32-35 UNIT PROGRAM
(sample program is for 35 units)
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This downloadable Cost of Attendance document breaks down the tuition and fees by semester. Although the actual number of courses taken each semester may vary by student as can the amount of time taken to complete the program, it can be submitted to banks and scholarship institutions.
PAYMENT
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USC students may pay their tuition and fees online, via wire transfer or using a payment plan. Details can be found on the USC Student Financial Services Payment Options page. You can check your account balance through the On-line Academic Student Information System (OASIS). Log into OASIS through MyUSC.
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USC also provides a Tuition Refund Insurance option that enables students to receive a 100% refund of term tuition and fees if they are are forced to withdraw for medical reasons.
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.
Want to find out where our graduating class of 2020/2021 Civil and Environmental Engineering Master's students did their internships and where they went after commencement? Visit our Civil and Environmental Engineering Employment Outcomes page.
This program is not available via DEN@Viterbi.
Please complete the following form for more information.
