Graduate & Professional Degrees

Overview

The Master of Music in Contemporary Teaching Practice is designed as an intensive program and places special emphasis on urban settings. The overall goal of this degree is to provide a credential path for graduate music students who wish to teach in public and private schools in California and other states. The program will build on the students' undergraduate preparation in music (including music theory, aural skills, keyboard skills, music history and performance education including playing, singing, conducting and ensemble work) by adding courses in music teaching and learning and general education. Special course work in music in the lives of children and youth, contemporary teaching methods, music composition/improvisation, research and assessment, and community and entrepreneurial engagement will highlight the degree. Certain courses will include extensive field experiences in the schools. Attention will be paid to children with special needs and English Language Learners (ELL), as mandated by the state of California. Finally, as a special opportunity, newly conferred students in this degree will have the ability to access monthly online mentoring sessions with USC faculty. This opportunity will be available in the first year of teaching, after the degree has been conferred.

Admission

Admission to Thornton programs is granted through the USC admission process. Applicants are screened by appropriate faculty selection committees. Specific entrance requirements are reviewed on an annual basis and published online at music.usc.edu.

Unit and Grade Requirements

Students must complete at least 30 semester units at USC, including the comprehensive review. A grade point average of not less than 3.0 (A = 4.0) is required for all graduate courses in music, and a grade of B or higher is required for all courses in the major department. Students who transfer credits must achieve this average on all combined transferred and residence units.

Transferred Credits

All credits transferred must be the equivalent of corresponding current work at USC. Course work completed at another institution that has been approved by the Thornton School for transfer credit must have been completed within seven years from the date of admission to a master's degree program to be applied toward that degree. Transfer credit petitions must be filed with the appropriate Thornton adviser during the first semester in residence.

Time Limit

The time limit for completing the Master of Music degree is five years. Progress is measured from the beginning of the first course at USC applied toward the degree. Extensions will be granted by petition to the Thornton School for only the most compelling reasons.

Music Graduate Entrance Exam

All students entering this graduate-level degree program at USC Thornton, who have not previously completed a degree at USC Thornton, must take a series of entrance exams in core music subjects. These exams are called Music Graduate Entrance Exams (MGEEs). Information regarding which exams are required for specific majors is available from the Thornton Student Affairs office. Also see the Thornton School of Music Admission to Graduate Standing section of this catalogue for specific policies relating to these exams.

Comprehensive Review

Candidates for the Master of Music in Contemporary Teaching Practice must submit a comprehensive portfolio of music teaching experiences consistent with their work in class and in the field. This portfolio is reviewed by faculty in the department.

The Certificate in Craniofacial Biology is intended to provide dentists in post-graduate dental education with experience in graduate education and insight into the requirements to complete a graduate degree. This will provide the students with additional information relative to selecting academic careers. All certificate students must have a dental degree and have been admitted to a post-graduate dental education program sponsored by the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC.

Degree Requirements

A total of six CBY courses and 18 units of course work is required for the certificate. The six courses may be selected from the following list: CBY 573, CBY 574, CBY 575, CBY 576, CBY 579L, CBY 583, CBY 585, CBY 587, CBY 672, CBY 673, CBY 674. The credit received for these classes may be applied toward either the MS or PhD in Craniofacial Biology should the student decide later to pursue an advanced degree.

Admissions Criteria

Only residents enrolled in the following advanced dental education and specialty programs are eligible for the Certificate in Craniofacial Biology: General Practice Residency, Endodontics, Orofacial Pain/Oral Medicine, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontology, Prosthodontics. Residents must complete all admission requirements for dental advanced education programs and have been accepted to these programs in accordance with criteria established by the advanced dental education program faculty.

This degree is under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Students should also refer to the Requirements for Graduation section and the Graduate School section of this catalogue for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degree must be courses accepted by the Graduate School. The Master of Science degree in craniofacial biology offers the clinician (DDS, MD or equivalent) the opportunity to obtain clinical research knowledge and skills in the area of craniofacial biology. Such training will include research into the causes of craniofacial diseases and anomalies, as well as normal development and function. The course of study is particularly directed toward those clinicians committed to pursuing a career in research and teaching.

Degree Requirements

A total of 24 units is required that includes four courses in craniofacial biology, and four units of CBY 594a Master's Thesis and CBY 594b Master's Thesis and necessary units of CBY 590 Directed Research. All students must achieve a 3.0 grade point average in the craniofacial biology courses. Four core courses in craniofacial biology are required for all students: CBY 585, CBY 589, INTD 531 and INTD 561. All students are required to complete a thesis based on the student's research following a thesis protocol approved by a committee of craniofacial biology faculty. An advisory committee, comprising the research adviser and two additional faculty members, will establish thesis requirements to be completed by the student.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Craniofacial Biology focuses on training the next generation of investigators in basic science, clinical and translational biomedical research related to the craniofacial complex. Research and training opportunities span investigations in craniofacial and oral biology, biomineralization, cell biology, clinical trials/experimentation, developmental biology, cytokine biology, biomaterials, tissue engineering, stem cell research, neuroscience, immunology, virology, pathology, microbial molecular genetics, endodontics and periodontology. The goal of this multidisciplinary program is to provide students with the skills to become leaders in oral health and medical research, advanced research scientists able to translate basic findings into diagnostics, treatments and ultimate cures.

The program applies multidisciplinary approaches to understanding the human body as a whole in relation to the craniofacial complex. Faculty mentors represent a diverse group from all points of the globe who have unique backgrounds in a variety of disciplines centered around structures of the craniofacial region. Their objective is advancing oral, dental and craniofacial research toward solving problems in health and promoting the well-being of society.

Course Requirements

A total of 60 units are required for the PhD, including eight didactic courses at the graduate level (500 or above), research (CBY 790), and at least 4 units of Doctoral Dissertation. The core required CBY courses are CBY 585, CBY 589, INTD 531 and INTD 561. The remaining four elective graduate-level courses must be approved by student's mentors and the CBY program director. Typically, the mentor will recommend elective courses that amend deficiencies or complement the student's research project and dissertation. Students must achieve a 3.0 GPA or higher in their course work. Students with a Doctor of Dental Surgery, professional or other advanced degree may be granted waivers for having completed equivalent course work. All courses applied toward the degree must be courses accepted by the Graduate School. PhD students must supplement course work by registering for CBY 790 during the fall, spring and summer semesters as needed to complete the minimum 60 units required for the PhD program. No more than 8 units of CBY 794 series may be received or applied toward the degree.

Student Mentorship

Most new students will be assigned to a mentor upon acceptance. Mentors advise and guide new students through the program with the qualifying exam/dissertation committee, once assembled. To facilitate application of multidisciplinary approaches, close and regular contact between faculty mentors, committee members and students is a major theme of this PhD program.

Qualifying Exam Committee

By the second year of study students should select a qualifying exam committee. The qualifying exam committee must include five faculty members who will supervise the student's education. The student's mentor will serve as chair of the qualifying exam committee. The committee chair and at least two additional members must have an official appointment in the student's program. One committee member must be a USC faculty member from outside the program. The graduate program director will be an ex officio member of all qualifying exam committees. The qualifying exam committee will monitor the student's progress, recommend readings or additional training and determine when the student is ready for the qualifying examination. It is the student's responsibility to meet with the qualifying exam committee at least once during every semester of each academic year. The results of these formal meetings should be summarized by the student in a written statement and submitted to the program administrator and mentor each semester. 

Screening Procedure

As soon as the student has satisfactorily completed the core courses and selected the qualifying exam committee, a screening meeting with the committee should be called. The screening procedure may consist of an oral examination; the student will outline his research progress and be examined on academic development. The committee may recommend that the student take specific additional course work and that readings in certain areas be completed to remedy deficiencies. A brief report will be given to the student and included in their file. The student will meet with the committee each semester; they shall agree when the student is prepared to take the qualifying examination in the next semester or if the student should resign or be dropped from the program. Passing the screening procedure is a prerequisite to continuation in the program.

Qualifying Examination

The PhD qualifying examination is offered during the fall or spring semesters. A comprehensive written examination will cover specific subject areas of the core curriculum, as well as topics selected by the qualifying exam committee. After successfully completing all parts of the written examination, the student will prepare and submit an original research proposal to the qualifying exam committee that presents, in National Institutes of Health (NIH) format, the student's proposed dissertation research. If the submitted proposal is acceptable, an oral examination will be conducted. This examination will include a defense of the proposal and could also include material from the written examination and related topics. A student failing any part of the examination may be allowed one additional opportunity to pass that portion, at the discretion of the qualifying exam committee, within the regulations of the Graduate School governing the repetition of qualifying examinations.

It is the student's responsibility to obtain from the Graduate School the Request for Permission to take the PhD Qualifying Examination form, which must be signed by all committee members. This form must be completed 60 days before the qualifying examination.

Dissertation

The doctoral dissertation is to focus upon an original research investigation which reflects the creative scholarly abilities of the candidate and contributes to the general advancement of biological understanding, as well as to an understanding of the theoretical basis of disease and its treatment. The dissertation should demonstrate the student's ability to undertake independent research through planning, conducting and evaluating experiments.

Defense of the Dissertation

A public, oral examination on a rough or final copy of the dissertation is conducted within one month following submission of the manuscript to the committee. The defense will be held after the dissertation is approved by the student's dissertation committee.

As part of the requirements for the PhD degree in Craniofacial Biology, students must adhere to the unit/course requirements, qualifying exam (guidance) committee and dissertation committee guidelines and must complete the qualifying examination, dissertation and oral defense as outlined in the sections following the descriptions of the PhD programs.

This program is under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Students should also refer to the Requirements for Graduation section and the Graduate School section of this catalogue for specific regulations.

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice program is designed to prepare professionals to advance in their careers in the field of criminal justice. The program emphasizes the skills and evidence-based principles that shape effective criminal justice leaders.

In addition to foundational theories of criminology and criminal justice, students will explore policy design and implementation and emerging trends in the field. Students will learn to evaluate research and use statistical data to assess the efficacy of policies and practices in criminal justice. Students will also analyze emerging evidence-based practices in criminal investigations, corrections and community supervision, including the use of technology, restorative justice and multinational crime. Vulnerable populations, implicit bias, ethics and diversity are themes woven throughout the program. Courses in leadership development and organizational change will help students develop leadership skills within the context of criminal justice organizations. The program will enable students to develop the critical knowledge, skills and abilities needed to become ethical and skilled decision-makers in the various branches of criminal justice.  

The MA Curatorial Practices and the Public Sphere is an intensive master's-level program in the practice and history of curating studied through the lens of critical theory and the history of art. With a focus on the research and exhibition of contemporary art, as well as attending to art historical curating and broader conceptions of curating such as performance art programming, instructors with international careers lead students in asking social questions about the exhibition of art (broadly construed) in relation to its publics. Over two years of full-time academic study, students explore modes of curatorial practice in a curriculum combining seminars and professional training. Courses are led by USC Roski's internationally acclaimed faculty, which includes renowned artists, scholars, critics and curators.

The MA features courses that focus on the history of art, exhibitions and aesthetics, with a focus on contemporary art and theory. Other courses emphasize direct practical experience leading toward the realization of art exhibitions, but also performance art programming and other hybrid modes of arts curating.

Admission Requirements

Requirements for admission: (1) a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, or equivalent, from an accredited school; (2) a minimum 3.0 overall GPA; (3) three letters of recommendation; (4) two writing samples (one academic paper and the admission essay). International applicants are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Thesis Requirements

The thesis committee is established and contingent upon satisfactory completion of the second semester's course work. Advancement to candidacy is determined by the director of the program, in consultation with other faculty.

Roski MA thesis committees will comprise three faculty members. Two members will be Roski faculty, defined as any faculty currently teaching in the Roski school with full-time appointment, tenure track or non-tenure track. The third member can be any full-time tenure track or non-tenure track USC faculty member, either within the Roski School or from outside Roski. Thesis committees are reviewed by the Student Services office and subject to final approval by the school dean.

Curatorial Practicum Requirement

All students participate in the group curatorial practicum course for three consecutive terms (which complements the thesis requirement).

Associate Director of Informatics: Clifford Neumann, PhD

The Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering is intended for: a) graduate students who desire to obtain jobs in which computer security knowledge and skills are required; b) graduate students who wish to continue on a path toward enrollment for a doctoral degree focusing on information security; c) individuals in degree programs or job fields that have responsibility for information security. The typical admitted student will have the following qualifications:

• an undergraduate degree in computer science, electrical engineering or information security;
• programming capability;
• understanding of computer networking and computer operating systems.
• desire to learn information security techniques and tools that are directly applicable to current information security challenges; and
• above average mathematical foundation.

During completion of the program, students will learn the fundamentals of developing, engineering and operating secure information systems. They will become versed in the challenges and problems of secure operating systems, secure applications, secure networking, database security and privacy, use of cryptography and key management. They will learn to develop a security policy and how policy drives technology decisions. Students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to administer environments that require high levels of information security, both from the standpoint of the principles of information protection and the role application technology has in meeting information protection needs. Students will understand the value of assets, the business model of threats, the threat matrix, mitigation strategies and how this integrates with the core organizational mission. They will understand why information security plans succeed or fail.

Students will have hands-on experience simulating real-world scenarios with extensive laboratory work that is designed by current and former information security practitioners.

For Admission Requirements, refer to Viterbi Graduate Degrees and Requirements.

Requirements for completion (28 units minimum).

This graduate certificate program teaches students the foundations of data science from a computing perspective. This degree is designed for students with a wide range of backgrounds who have no formal computer science education but have strong math and science skills. 

Students who complete this certificate will be able to pursue professional careers in data science.  They will be eligible to be considered for admission to the following MSc programs in data science: Applied Data Science, Communications Data Science, Spatial Data Science, Healthcare Data Science, Public Policy Data Science, and Environmental Data Science.

Students will first learn the basics of data science, including data processing, algorithms, parallel computing, statistical methods, and machine learning. They will also learn how to write basic data processing programs in Python. These introductory classes will prepare them to tackle the complexity of real-world problems to build scalable data systems. Through class projects and homeworks, students will create a portfolio of their work to demonstrate their skills to potential employers.

Students will need to complete the three required courses with no possibility of substitutions or waivers.

The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program covers 11 consecutive 14-week trimesters. The course of study maximizes the interrelationship of all basic sciences and clinical detail sciences required by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

USC's reputation for excellent preparation of its graduates for private practice has been enhanced by curriculum changes that permit students to begin clinical experience in their first year. At the same time, opportunity and encouragement are given to those who might elect to pursue careers in teaching and research.

Admission

The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC admits 144 students each year for the curriculum leading to the Doctor of Dental Surgery. Admission to the school is granted through the Office of Admissions, which receives and processes all applications, evaluates credentials and notifies applicants who qualify for entrance by forwarding letters of acceptance. Students are selected by the Admissions Committee, which bases its decision on consideration of an applicant's personal qualities, aptitude and superior scholarship necessary for the successful study and practice of dentistry. Candidates who have received or will receive a baccalaureate or higher degree will be considered more favorably than applicants who have fulfilled only minimum requirements. As a precondition of enrollment, accepted students must undergo a background screening and provide evidence of sound health and meet the school's health requirements.

Admission information may be obtained by mail, online or in person. Address inquiries to: Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, Office of Admissions, 925 W. 34th Street, Room 201, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0641, (213) 740-2841, email: uscsdadm@usc.edu or access the school's Website at dentistry.usc.edu.

Admission Requirements

Minimum entrance requirements include: (1) graduation from an accredited secondary school, with credit for at least 12 academic units, including three in English, three in one laboratory science course, two in one foreign language and two in college preparatory mathematics; (2) a minimum of 60 semester units, or the equivalent completed or in progress, at the time of application, in an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada. A baccalaureate or higher degree is preferred. No more than 60 semester hours earned at a community college will be accepted and preference is given to candidates who complete the science prerequisites at a four-year institution; (3) required courses, semester hours with laboratory required: 8 units each — one year's completed course — of general biology, inorganic/general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics; other courses: English composition (8 units or one year), philosophy, history or fine arts (8 units or one year). All prerequisite course work must be completed with a grade of "C" or better; (4) it is strongly suggested that students take additional upper division courses. Biochemistry, human or comparative anatomy, embryology, histology, genetics, physiology, microbiology, immunology and economics are examples of recommended courses; (5) all students who apply for admission to the School of Dentistry are required to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT), given under the auspices of the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association. The Dental Admission Test must be taken no later than February 1 of the year for which formal application is made.

To expedite the admissions process, it is recommended that the DAT be taken during a testing period before filing formal application through the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). Test scores more than three years old will not be accepted. Applicants should check with the Dental Admissions Office. Full information about the test is sent to all applicants upon request, or can be obtained from the Division of Educational Measurements, Council on Dental Education, American Dental Association, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. No action can be taken on the application until DAT scores have been received.

(6) An interview at the School of Dentistry is required of all applicants who appear qualified for consideration as determined by the Office of Admissions; (7) complete transcripts of undergraduate and graduate work, including degree notations, must be on file in the Office of Admissions by July 15 prior to enrolling; (8) residency requirements: as a private institution, USC seeks a culturally and geographically diverse population. Therefore, out-of-state applicants are evaluated and selected based on the same criteria as California residents.

No applicant will be denied admission on the basis of race, religion, creed or disability. All admitted students must provide evidence that functional health is sufficient to meet professional demands, both in the student role and as an entry-level practitioner.

Application Procedure

(1) An application form should be obtained from the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) online at adea.org. (2) The AADSAS application form must be completed and returned to AADSAS. USC requires that the application be received by AADSAS no later than February 1 of the year in which enrollment is anticipated. Early application and file completion is recommended. Do not send the application form to USC directly. In addition to submitting the ADEA AADSAS application, applicants must submit DAT scores and one official transcript from every college/university attended directly to AADSAS. Application evaluation cannot begin until these items are received by ADEA AADSAS. (3) Applicants are required to pay a nonrefundable $85 processing fee, which should be forwarded directly to the Ostrow Office of Admissions (international students requiring a student visa must submit a $145 processing fee). (4) Notification from the Office of Admissions will be sent, indicating that the application has been received from AADSAS. (5) Candidates who are being seriously considered for acceptance will be sent an invitation for an interview and will be required to submit additional information. No interview can be granted unless the file is complete, including DAT scores. (6) Notification of acceptance will be sent by the Office of Admissions sometime after December 1. (7) A non-refundable commitment fee of $2,000 is required from admitted students by the deadline indicated in the acceptance letter to hold a place in the entering class. A second commitment fee of $1,000 is required by the deadline in their acceptance letter. These non-refundable fees will be applied toward tuition upon enrollment. (8) Preregistration for the first year dental class is held before orientation. (9) All entering students are required to prepay $3,000 toward the initial tuition by their deadline. (10) As a precondition of enrollment, accepted students undergo a background screening conducted by Certiphi Screening, Inc. to help ensure patient safety and compliance with state laws and regulations and provide evidence of sound health and meet the school's health requirements.

Orientation

Students who have been accepted into the predoctoral dental program and who have reserved their place in the class will receive information on orientation during the first two weeks in July.

Orientation takes place prior to the first week of classes. The purpose of the orientation program is to acquaint incoming students with the school, its policies, programs, faculty and facilities. Incoming students receive financial counseling and receive their initial equipment issue during this orientation period.

Graduation Requirements

A student is eligible for the Doctor of Dental Surgery after successfully attaining the qualitative and quantitative level expected in the doctoral curriculum, specifically: has met the 2.0 GPA requirement for graduation; has no conditions existing at the termination of the final academic time unit that would qualify him or her for academic probation, clinical probation or academic disqualification; has no marks of "F," "IN" or "MG"; has passed Part I and Part II of the National Dental Board Examinations; has demonstrated the personal characteristics expected of a professional; has fulfilled his or her financial obligations as well as all other obligations and requirements for graduation.

In addition to meeting the academic requirements indicated above, students must have a completed administrative clearance form on file in the Office of Academic Affairs before a degree can be conferred. This administrative clearance indicates that the student has met other obligations to the university and to the student's patients.

Curriculum

The curriculum leading to the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree undergoes constant change to meet the challenges of modern dental practice.

A five-term program administered in collaboration with the Graduate School, the Master of Fine Arts in Design is a professional degree in the practice of design. A progressive degree option is available on a competitive basis to current Roski undergraduate students. With a faculty of influential design professionals and an expansive, retrofitted building in the downtown arts district, the MFA Design program seeks to be an ambitious and far-reaching addition to educational design community in Southern California.

In addition to mentored relationships with the design faculty, students participate in regular seminars, discussions and studio visits with leading visiting designers, writers and theorists from around the world. The Roski School's partnership and affiliation with the contemporary design community in Los Angeles, such as American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), is a critical component of the MFA Design program.

The opportunity to gain experience as a teaching assistant is available on a competitive basis. All incoming students, regardless of country of citizenship, are considered for departmental funding and teaching assistantships.

THESIS AND COMPLETION

The Roski MFA Design thesis committee will comprise three faculty members. Two members will be Roski faculty, defined as currently teaching in the Roski school with full-time appointment, tenure-track or non-tenure track. A third member can be any full-time tenure track or non-tenure track USC faculty member, either within the Roski School or from outside Roski. Thesis committees are reviewed by the Student Services office and subject to final approval by the school dean.

Master of Fine Arts Design students are evaluated by faculty during reviews held near the end of each semester.

Before a student is recommended for the Master of Fine Arts, a comprehensive review of past work and professional goals is held. A written thesis, documented with visual material, and a practice-based component, such as an exhibition of work, a public presentation, community project or a course syllabus at the end of the course of study, complete the Master of Fine Arts program. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on all graduate work is required for the Master of Fine Arts degree.

ADMISSION

Admission is competitive and based on submission of the USC Graduate Admission application and portfolio submission via the Roski School SlideRoom. 

An undergraduate degree in Design or its equivalent with a GPA of at least 3.0 is required. Applications are accepted in the spring for the fall. Preference will be given to full-time students, although part-time study can be accommodated with the director's approval. 

Application materials include the following:

1. USC Graduate Application

2. Transcripts (waived for Progressive Degree applicants)

3. Three letters of recommendation

4. Personal statement and CV

5. A portfolio of 20 images, submitted at SlideRoom

6. Results of the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE (international students only)

See the Roski School's website roski.usc.edu for additional information about the MFA Design program.