The MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering (VLSI Design) program is an area of emphasis for the electrical engineering student interested in the current and expanding field of VLSI circuit design.
International Students: This program is eligible for the OPT STEM extension.
- This program requires completion of 27 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 (extended to October 1) |
| Fall | December 15 (Scholarship consideration)
January 15 (Final deadline) |
Visit our Ready to Apply page for more information
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants to the Master of Science program in Electrical and Computer Engineering – VLSI Design must have a bachelor’s degree or be in the process of completing a bachelor's degree. Most applicants have degrees in engineering or closely related fields, such as Electronics, Computer Science, Math, and Physics.
Applicants without a bachelor's degree in a directly related field may still be considered if they have completed and demonstrated strong proficiency in the following coursework (or equivalent):
| |
| Electrical Engineering |
| Linear Circuits |
| Linear Systems |
| Math |
| Physics |
This is not an exhaustive list. 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 (Optional)
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.
Estimated Cost of Attendance - 27 Unit Program
Alumni Employment*
Companies & Job Titles (multiple positions may be listed)
- Apple - SoC Physical Design Verification Engineer
- Qualcomm - Engineer
Additional career outcomes information can be found on our general MS in Electrical & Computing Engineering pages.
.Internships (Summer 2023)**
Analog Devices; Marvell Semiconductor, Inc.; Micron; Qualcomm
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* Information is based on voluntary surveys and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive view of program alumni.
** Internship data is from CPT internships done by our international student population.
This 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.
| Fundamental Courses |
| All courses are required with either EE 536b or EE 577b - 13 units total. |
| EE 536a | Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuit Design (4 units) |
| EE 577a | VLSI System Design (3 units) |
| EE 536b | Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuit Design (or EE 577b) (4 units) |
| EE 577b | VLSI System Design (or EE 536b) (3 units) |
| EE 552 | Asynchronous VLSI Design (3 units) |
| Required Courses |
| Two courses from one area and one course from another area required - 9-11 units total. |
| VLSI/CAD Area |
| CSCI 455 | Introduction to Programming Systems Design (4 units) |
| EE 658 | Diagnosis & Design of Reliable Digital Systems (3 units) |
| Circuits and Devices Area |
| EE 536a | Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuit Design (4 units) |
| EE 536b | Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuit Design (4 units) |
| Computer Systems Area |
| CSCI 455x | Introduction to Programming Systems Design (4 units) |
| CSCI 570 | Analysis of Algorithms (4 units) |
| EE 557 | Computer Systems Architecture (3 units) |
| EE 577b | VLSI System Design (3 units) |
| Suggested Elective Courses |
| EE 457 | Computer Systems Organization (4 units) |
| EE 477L | MOS VLSI Circuit Design (4 units) |
| EE 479 | Analog Integrated Circuit Design (4 units) |
Please complete the following form for more information.
