Graduate & Professional Degrees

Program Requirements

The PhD program requires students to have an overall GPA of 3.5 and a minimum of 63 units of course work, comprising the following elements: Core Block (16 units), Education Block (15 units), Research Block (15 units), Cognate Block (12 units) and Dissertation Proposal and Dissertation Block (5 units).

Core Block

The core represents the essential knowledge that serves as the groundwork for later course work and for other research and scholarly activities within the program and beyond with a particular focus on educational equity. This work is completed in the first year.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Education/Master of Public Policy dual degree offers students interested in careers in Educational Policy rigorous training in education, policy research and analysis. Students emerging with this dual degree will apply in-depth knowledge of policy processes, content and analysis to critical questions of contemporary education policy.

The PhD/MPP requires five calendar years of full-time study. The first academic year is devoted to MPP classes, the second to PhD classes, completion of the MPP practicum in the third year, PhD qualifying exam in the fourth year and the PhD dissertation in the fifth year.

Students can enter this program one of two ways: (1) apply simultaneously to both programs and state their intent to be admitted to the dual degree program; or (2) apply to the PhD during the first semester as an MPP student. If admission is approved by each school, students will be admitted to the dual degree program.

Student must complete 84 units (48 from the PhD in Education Policy and 36 from the Master of Public Policy).

The Master of Education degree in Educational Counseling is designed for individuals seeking a career or advancement opportunities in postsecondary education as an academic or outreach counselor. The degree includes a theoretical and practical background in student affairs and counseling.

The program meets current requirements for postsecondary counseling positions in the California state system, particularly for those who wish to work in the public community college system. A minimum of 48 units is required.

For Admission Requirements, refer to USC Rossier Graduate Degree Requirements.

The purpose of the Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership program is to build critically conscious leaders who can take actions to eliminate inequities that affect educational and learning opportunities and outcomes for children and adults in urban contexts. This three-year degree program is geared toward working professionals who aspire to advance and extend their reach as leaders in urban education. Admission requires an earned master's degree and a minimum of three years of work experience in a related field; other earned terminal degrees may be considered in lieu of a master's degree if they are eligible for advanced standing within the University.

Areas of Concentration

Students are admitted to the program under one of four areas of concentration: K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings, Educational Psychology, Higher Education Administration, or Leading Instructional Change. Concentrations are not indicated on the diploma, which will read "Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership" for all concentrations.

Preliminary Review

The EdD in Educational Leadership preliminary review must be completed before the student has earned 21 units. Passing the preliminary review is a prerequisite to continuing in the program. The faculty governance committee will determine the preliminary review requirements and the process will be administered by the program office.

Dissertation in Practice Advisement Committee

Each student works with a three-member advisement committee, led by their committeee chair.

The committee chair must have a full-time faculty appointment in the Rossier School of Education. A second member of the committee must also have a full-time faculty appointment in the Rossier School of Education. One member of the committee may be external to the Rossier School of Education, such as a faculty member elsewhere or a full-time professional educator who holds a doctorate and brings strength to the committee in the area of the dissertation topic or methodology. If an external member is to be on the committee, this person must be nominated by the committee chair and approved by the director of the EdD program.

Admission to Candidacy

Admission to candidacy is a formal action taken by the faculty of the Rossier School of Education. This action is based on passing the qualifying examination as part of the dissertation in practice.

Unit Requirement

The EdD requires completion of 60 units of course work. Students admitted with Advanced Standing complete a minimum of 43 units.

The Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (AMSRFIC) features a comprehensive set of courses related to in analog, mixed-signal, and radiofrequency integrated circuits with a wide range of applications in wireless and wired communications, autonomous systems, machine learning and artificial intelligence, medical electronics, biomedical implants, controls, sensing, and imaging.

Course Requirement: At least seven courses (a minimum of 28 units) must be taken from the following list (combination of core courses and elective courses). At least four courses must be taken from the list of core courses, with the remainder from the list of elective courses or (with program adviser approval) from the list of core courses or directed research (EE 590).

In addition to the general requirements of the Viterbi School of Engineering, the Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering with an emphasis in Machine Learning Systems is also subject to the following requirements. 

A minimum of 32 units, selected from the courses below, is required. Units to be transferred (maximum 4 with adviser approval) must have been taken prior to taking classes at USC – interruption of residency is not allowed. Curricular Practical Training units do not count toward the 32 required units. 

In addition to the general requirements of the Viterbi School of Engineering, the Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering with an emphasis in Machine Learning and Data Science is also subject to the following requirements. 

A minimum of 32 units, selected from the courses below, is required. At least 22 units must be taken in electrical engineering. Units to be transferred (maximum 4 with adviser approval) must have been taken prior to taking classes at USC – interruption of residency is not allowed. Curricular Practical Training units do not count toward the 32 required units. 

For Admission Requirements, refer to USC Viterbi School of Engineering.

The Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (Computer Architecture) is earned by successfully completing the normal requirements for the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, with the following additional requirements: a minimum of 18 units from the Computer Architecture area are required. A breadth requirement of at least one course from Networks and at least one course from VLSI/CAD areas is required. Additionally, with adviser approval, EE 590 Directed Research under the guidance of a Computer Architecture faculty (maximum 4 units) and/or Special Topics EE 599 (maximum 4 units) may also count toward the 18 units required in the Computer Architecture area. 

No more than three courses (maximum 12 units) may be counted at the 400 level.

The remaining course work to complete the degree may come from any of the three computer engineering areas.

Under the computer networks option students must satisfy the MS, Electrical Engineering requirements with the exception that only 15 units of EE are required.