Graduate & Professional Degrees

The Advanced Placement MS program allows the outstanding student who has completed a Bachelor of Science in Gerontology to waive several courses in order to complete the master's degree in 36 units rather than the 44 units for the regular program.

The program in advanced prosthodontics is a 36-month course of study designed to teach didactic and clinical skills leading to competency in the specialized practice of prosthodontics. The program provides a basic science foundation, incorporating studies in physical diagnosis, anatomy, oral pathology, pharmacology and oral biology. Proficiency in fixed, removable and implant prosthodontics will be developed during the course of study from a practical and didactic aspect. There is a strong emphasis on applying principles of esthetics toward oral reconstructions and implant prosthodontics. Periodontally compromised patients are frequently encountered, so the program is closely allied with the advanced program in periodontology. Treatment planning and integrated care with allied specialties is a strength of the program. Additionally a there is a strong emphasis on usage of digital dentistry from a diagnostic and treatment planning perspective. Then carrying this forward to design and fabrication of restorations using Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) for patients. This includes usage of intra oral and extraoral scanners and fabricating restorations on site and remote sites.

In addition to developing clinical skills, the program requires a research methodology course and a research project.

Clinical experience in implant placement is encouraged and didactic study in maxillofacial prosthetics is offered. A concurrent Masters in Biomaterials and Digital Dentistry is available. Application to this program is available when starting the Advanced Prosthodontics Program. For information, see dentistry.usc.edu/master-of-science-in-biomaterials-and-digital-dentistry/.

The program in advanced prosthodontics is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a special accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. The program also meets the requirements of the American Board of Prosthodontics. A certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the program.

The Master of Science in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering with emphasis in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) educates and trains students in the multidisciplinary principles and concepts of AI and ML, and how these principles can be applied to different areas of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering including robotics, manufacturing, dynamics, control and computational modeling of complex systems. It fulfills the growing need for professionals in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering who are experts in these areas and are adept at applying and developing AI/ML techniques.

Admission requirements follow the general admission rules for aerospace and mechanical engineering graduate programs. For admission requirements, refer to Viterbi Graduate Degrees and Requirements at USC Viterbi School of Engineering. The program requires completion of a minimum of 28 units, with at least 23 units at the 500 level, and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for graduation. Students will be advised in the first semester of their study. In addition to engineering analysis (AME 525, AME 526 or AME 540) students are required to take three out of four courses from the AME AI/ML core. Two elective AME courses can be chosen in areas of specific interest to the student such as fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, robotics, controls and manufacturing. Information on the current approved courses that comprise these core and elective requirements is available from the department website ame.usc.edu.

The program prepares students for professional careers in engineering companies that develop products using computational tools of fluid and solid mechanics. The program also provides the necessary background for pursuing higher degrees, Engineer and PhD, in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering with specializations in computational fluid mechanics, computational solid mechanics and computational heat transfer. The degree course work provides a necessary background in basic aerospace and mechanical engineering disciplines (solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer), engineering mathematics and numerical methods. The advanced computational technical electives provide practical examples using existing numerical programs to simulate structures, heat transfer and fluid flows as well as commercial packages.

Admission requirements follow the general admission rules for aerospace and mechanical engineering graduate programs. For admission requirements, refer to Viterbi Graduate Degrees and Requirements at USC Viterbi School of Engineering. The program requires completion of a minimum of 27 units, with at least 18 units at the 500 level, and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for graduation. Students will be given advisement in the first semester of their study. A minimum of 15 units must be 500-level courses in major department. Four of the required units must be in one of the three engineering analysis courses AME 525, AME 526 or AME 540. In addition to engineering analysis, students are required to take five core courses covering numerical methods, fluid dynamics, solid mechanics, computational fluid dynamics and finite element analysis. Elective courses can be chosen in areas of specific interest to the student. Information on the current approved courses that comprise these core and elective requirements is available from the department website ame.usc.edu.

The Master of Science in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering with emphasis in Dynamics and Control educates and trains multidisciplinary professionals in the modeling, analysis, simulation and control of complex time-evolutionary systems. The program provides the graduate student with a broad, well-rounded, advanced education that can be applied to many specific, technologically advanced fields in which dynamics and control play a pivotal role. It is a program of study that encompasses advanced analytical dynamics, nonlinear dynamical systems, linear and nonlinear dynamics and vibrations, and linear and nonlinear control. The program equips students to apply their knowledge to a variety of complex systems encountered in nature and society, especially those in civil, mechanical and aerospace engineering and applied mechanics.

Admission requirements follow the general admission rules for Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering graduate programs. For admission requirements, refer to Viterbi Graduate Degrees and Requirements at USC Viterbi School of Engineering. The program requires completion of a minimum of 27 units, with at least 18 units at the 500 level, and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for graduation. Students will be given advisement in the first semester of their study. In addition to engineering analysis (AME 525 or AME 526 or AME 540) students are required to take five core courses covering engineering vibrations, nonlinear dynamical systems and chaos, advanced engineering dynamics, linear control systems, and nonlinear control systems. Elective courses can be chosen in areas of specific interest to the student such as orbital dynamics, spacecraft control, aircraft dynamics and control, chaos and chaotic dynamics, random vibrations, computer control of mechanical systems and robotics. Information on the current approved courses that comprise these core and elective requirements is available from the department website ame.usc.edu.

The department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering in conjunction with the Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering offers programs leading to the degree of Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering/Master of Science in Engineering Management. This program is designed for graduate aerospace engineers whose career objectives lead to increasing technical management responsibilities.

In addition to the general requirements of the Viterbi School of Engineering, the dual degree of Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering/Master of Science in Engineering Management is also subject to the following requirements:

1. All applicants must meet the admission requirements of both the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering;
2. A minimum of 46 units is required;
3. A minimum of 18 units must be graduate-level course work in AME, approved by an AME graduate student adviser;
4. A minimum of 20 units must be graduate level course work in ISE, approved by the ISE Engineering Management graduate student adviser and chosen from the course list under Master of Science in Engineering Management;
5. A minimum additional 8 units of acceptable course work must be chosen with the consent of the ISE Engineering Management graduate student adviser to form a coherent program.

Admission requirements follow the general admission rules for aerospace and mechanical engineering graduate programs. For admission requirements, refer to Viterbi Graduate Degrees and Requirements at USC Viterbi School of Engineering. The program of study depends upon the student's interests and background. The program requires completion of 27 units, with at least 18 units at the 500 level, and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for graduation. A minimum of 15 units must be 500 level courses in major department. Four of the required units must be in one of the engineering analysis courses: AME 525, AME 526 or AME 540.

In addition to the general requirements listed in this catalogue, the department has identified requirements in the following areas of specialization: aerodynamics/fluid dynamics; aerospace controls; aerospace design; aerospace structures; computational fluid dynamics; hypersonics and propulsion. Core requirements and elective requirements are defined for each area of specialization. Information on the current approved courses that comprise these core and elective requirements is available from the department website ame.usc.edu.

The PhD in Aerospace Engineering is awarded in strict conformity with the general requirements of the USC Graduate School. See general requirements for graduate degrees. The degree requires a concentrated program of study, research, and a dissertation. Each student wishing to undertake a doctoral program must first be admitted to the program and then take the screening examination. This examination will emphasize comprehension of fundamental material in the graduate course work. Further guidance concerning admission, the screening exam, and the full completion of courses, including those given outside the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, can be obtained from the AME student adviser and program coordinators.

Social workers and other healthcare and human service practitioners are at the forefront of ensuring that older adults and their family members lead healthy, productive and respected lives well into their later years. Challenges related to an aging society are well-documented: ageism and discrimination; increased health- and long-term care costs due to increased numbers of people with chronic medical conditions, disability and excess mortality; increased population dependency ratios, rising poverty among specific subgroups; family caregiving challenges; and increased pressure on programs and services in the U.S. The certificate advances students' ability to apply knowledge of the biological, psychological, social and cultural aspects of aging, and the clinical interventions that enhance well-being in later life.

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work offers university certificates that provide students advanced practice or research training through a social justice and intercultural competence lens that emphasizes community, organizational and environmental justice. Certificates are designed to complement and deepen training provided through our degree programs by focusing on experiential application of concepts in relation to particular and diverse client populations, settings and systems. Each certificate consists of at least 12 units, which may in part be satisfied by courses completed for a degree program. Certificates are also available to graduate students from other disciplines and to employed professionals.

The Master of Aging Services Management provides an opportunity for those seeking careers in the aging services industries to acquire skills and knowledge related to management of services, products and programs for older persons. The program requires a minimum of 12 units of core courses (three courses) and 20 units of electives (five courses). All graduate level courses are offered on campus and via the Internet. Continuous registration in the program is required. Leaves of absence are available for limited times and are excluded from the total time.

In order to participate in online courses, students will be required to have access to a computer with multimedia capability including a laptop or desktop computer with broadband (high speed) internet capability including a web browser, word processing software and presentation software, as well as a printer. Specific details regarding the computer requirements will be provided by the department. This program is available as a progressive degree (see Progressive Degree in Gerontology).

Students applying to the Master of Aging Services Management must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.0. If the applicant's GPA falls below 3.0 the GRE will be required.

Students must choose a minimum of 12 units of core courses from the following: