Applicants are expected to have completed or be in process of completing an undergraduate degree in computer science or its equivalent. For those who do not, they should meet the eligibility criteria on our MSCS Eligibility Criteria page.

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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 2024
• 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.

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

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MANDATORY STUDENT FEES - 2023/24

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ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE - 32 UNIT PROGRAM

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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.

   
PRASHANT VIBHOR AGARWAL

What were the main reasons you chose to pursue this graduate program at USC?
- The Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) program at USC is the first of its kind in the United States. No other university offers such a dedicated track for learning Artificial Intelligence.
- The cultural diversity at USC gives you an opportunity to see things from different perspectives allowing you to grow as an individual.
- Being one of top universities with world-class faculty doing cutting edge research and having an extensive alumni network doesn't hurt either.

Tell us about an exciting and unforgettable experience from your time so far at USC.
The grand Diwali festival held during my first semester at USC was an awesome experience for me. It gave me a sense of belonging, making it feel like a home away from home.

Which organizations/activities have you been involved with outside of the classroom?
I was a member of the E-board of HSO [Hindu Student Organization] which organized various events to celebrate religious occasions. I also served as a mentor in AthenaHacks, Southern California’s premier hackathon for women, femme, & non-binary students.

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   RUIJUN DENG

What were the main reasons you chose to pursue this graduate program at USC?
I decided to pursue an MS in Artificial Intelligence at USC because I always wanted to get a taste of what AI research looks like at the graduate level. USC's MS in AI program definitely provides the opportunity and resources for me to gain a deeper insight into the field.

What are some personal achievements or experiences you’d like to share?
I was fortunate to intern as a Software Engineer at Uber and will be joining the company after graduation.

What advice would you give future Viterbi students?
Take advantage of the abundant research opportunities here at USC. The research labs actively recruit student workers all seasons. If students are interested in doing research, I highly recommend them to apply.

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   SWARALI ATUL JOSHI

What are some personal achievements or experiences you’d like to share?
From never having lived alone to living alone in a foreign country, I've become much more independent. USC provides a strong support network to its students and I can truly say that it's a home away from home.

Which organizations/activities have you been involved with outside of the classroom?
I actively volunteer with Friends and Neighbors (FND), a community service program. It's a great opportunity to participate in varied volunteering opportunities and make new friends!

What do you like most about living in Los Angeles?
I love the weather! Los Angeles also has a lot of tourist attractions like the Griffith Park Observatory and Santa Monica beach.

Want to find out where our graduating class of 2020/2021 Computer Science Master’s students did their internships and where they went after commencement? Visit our Computer Science, Data Science & Cyber Security Employment Outcomes page.

This program is not available through DEN. For a full list of the 40+ engineering graduate programs available online, please visit Online DEN@Viterbi Offerings.