*Effective Spring 2025, this program will be discontinued.
This 17-unit certificate program will provide engineers with the skills required to face the increasingly complex future in architecting systems, systems of systems, and software-intensive systems. In addition, explicit focus on architecture has shown tremendous potential to improve the current state-of-the-art in software development and alleviate many of its problems.
The program exposes students to the concepts, principles, and state-of-the-art methods in software architectures; introduces principles and approaches for modeling systems using SysML; applies software engineering process models and management approaches for design and architecture of large software systems; and guides the architect through every phase of the conception, implementation, deployment, and finally systems retirement. If students are later admitted to the Master of Science in Computer Science, the courses taken for the certificate may be applied toward that degree.
International Students: This program is not 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 17-18 units is required to earn the Graduate Certificate in Software Architecture
- Required Courses: 14 units
- Elective Course: 3-4 units
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation
Detailed Program Curriculum and RequirementsSchedule of Classes
*Effective Spring 2025, this program will be discontinued.APPLICATION DEADLINES
| SEMESTER | DEADLINE |
| Spring | September 1 |
| Fall | December 15 |
Visit our
Application Deadlines page for more information.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- An undergraduate degree in engineering, math or hard science from a regionally-accredited university.
- Satisfactory cumulative undergraduate GPA (grade point average).
- GRE: General GRE test scores are not required for 2024
- Substantial background in computing constitutes a minimum requirement.
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.
- Letters of Recommendation (Optional): 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.
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
| Academic Year | Per Unit Rate | 3-unit Course | 4-unit Course |
| Fall 2025 - Summer 2026* | $2,665 | $7,995 | $10,660 |
| Fall 2024 - Summer 2025* | $2,543 | $7,629 | $10,172 |
| * Tuition is the same for on-campus and online students |
STUDENT FEES
| Fee Description | Fee Amount | On-Campus | DEN@Viterbi |
| Student Health Center Fee for 2024-25 (2025-26 not yet available) | $700/semester | | |
| Norman Topping Student Aid Fee | $11/semester | | |
| Graduate Student Programming Fee (On-Campus students) | $40/semester | | |
| Graduate Student Programming Fee (DEN@Viterbi students) | $20/semester | | |
| Exam Proctoring | $40 - $100 per course | | |
| Transportation Fee | $146/semester | | |
| Health Insurance (U.S.-based health insurance is required, but it does not have to be through USC) | Fall 2025: $1,224
Spring 2026: $2,298 | | |
Detailed Information on Tuition & FeesThis 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.
| Required Courses |
| All courses are required - 14 units total. |
| CSCI 568 | Requirements Engineering (4 units) |
| CSCI 578 | Software Architectures (4 units) |
| SAE 547 | Model-Based Systems Architecting & Engineering (3 units) |
| SAE 549 | Systems Architecting (3 units) |
| Elective Courses |
| One course required - 3-4 units total. |
| CSCI 510 | Software Management and Economics (4 units) |
| CSCI 530 | Security Systems (4 units) |
| CSCI 577a | Software Engineering (4 units) |
| CSCI 577b | Software Engineering (4 units) |
| EE 557 | Computer Systems Architecture (4 units) |
| SAE 541 | Systems Engineering Theory & Practice (3 units) |
Please complete the following form for more information.
