Petroleum Engineering involves the technology of economically developing and producing subterranean reservoirs of oil, gas, steam, and hot water and designing underground waste disposal facilities. This technology relies on basic concepts of physics, chemistry, mathematics, geology, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and economics. Because more than 300 products are derived from petroleum, it has become a vital part of our everyday life. The petroleum industry is one of the largest and most prominent in the United States today, and the companies involved are dependent on the services of petroleum engineers to explore, discover, and produce oil and gas to meet energy needs.
The USC Viterbi School of Engineering's Petroleum Engineering program is one of the oldest in the country with considerable industry support and interaction. Its assets are numerous - the advantages of a relatively small, friendly program, combined with the University's impressive academic and research facilities; its proximity to major oil fields in California; and a quality education provided by experienced and nationally renowned faculty.
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 35 units is required to earn the MS in Petroleum Engineering (Geoscience Technologies) degree
- Some deficiency courses may be required
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation
Detailed Program Curriculum and RequirementsSchedule of Classes
APPLICATION DEADLINES
| SEMESTER | DEADLINE |
| Spring 2023 | September 15, 2022 |
| Fall 2023 | December 15, 2022* |
* DEN@Viterbi (Online Delivery) Deadline Extension: An application extension for Fall 2023 is available for online DEN@Viterbi applicants who intend to pursue their entire degree program online and do not require a visa sponsorship. Please email den@viterbi.usc.edu to request an application extension.
On-campus students who apply by published deadlines will be considered for scholarships if admitted.
Online DEN@Viterbi applicants can view the Master's Scholarships (DEN@Viterbi) page for scholarship opportunities.
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Visit our
Ready to Apply page for more information.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in any engineering or engineering-related disciplines including but not limited to: Petroleum Engineering and Geological Sciences.
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 2023
- Letters of Recommendation (3 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
| Academic Year | Per Unit Rate | 3-unit Course | 4-unit Course |
| Fall 2022 - Summer 2023* | $2,309 | $6,927 | $9,236 |
| Fall 2021 - Summer 2022* | $2,199 | $6,597 | $8,796 |
| * Tuition is the same for on-campus and online students |
MANDATORY STUDENT FEES - 2022/23
| Fee Description | Fee Amount | On-Campus | DEN@Viterbi |
| Student Health Center Fee | $527/semester | | |
| Norman Topping Student Aid Fee | $8/semester | | |
| ENGR Computing Access Fee (On-Campus students) | $40/semester | | |
| ENGR Computing Access Fee (DEN@Viterbi students) | $20/semester | | |
| Exam Proctoring | $40 - $100 per course | | |
| Health Insurance (U.S.-based health insurance is required, but it does not have to be through USC) | Fall 2022: $805
Spring 2023: $1,468 | | |
Visit Tuition & Fees for more information.
Want to find out where our graduating class of 2020/2021 Chemical & Petroleum Engineering & Materials Science Master's students did their internships and where they went after commencement? Visit our Chemical & Petroleum Engineering & Materials Science Employment Outcomes page.
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.
| Required Courses |
| All courses required, 19 units total. |
| PTE 507 | Engineering and Economic Evaluation of Subsurface Reservoirs (3 units) |
| PTE 508 | Numerical Simulation of Subsurface Flow and Transport Processes (3 units) |
| PTE 517 | Testing of Wells and Aquifers (3 units) |
| PTE 531 | Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery (4 units) |
| PTE 555 | Well Completion, Stimulation, and Damage Control (3 units) |
| PTE 582 | Fluid Flow and Transport Processes in Porous Media (3 units) |
| Specialization Courses |
| PTE 502 and PTE 503 Required - 6 units |
| PTE 502 | Advanced Reservoir Characterization (3 units) |
| PTE 503 | Technology of Unconventional Oil and Gas Resources Development (3 units) |
| Take 2 of the following - 6-7 units |
| PTE 504 | Geophysics for Petroleum Engineers (3 units) |
| PTE 505 | Inverse Modeling for Dynamic Data Integration (3 units) |
| PTE 572 | Applied Geostatistical Modeling for Subsurface Characterization (4 units) |
| Elective Courses |
| Students must take at least 7 units of electives with consultation of an adviser. |
Deficiency Courses
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| Students without a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering must complete deficiency courses at USC. Units from these deficiency courses cannot be applied towards the M.S. in Petroleum Engineering - Geoscience Technologies. If you have questions about deficiency courses please consult with your department advisor. |
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