Graduate & Professional Degrees

Application deadline: December 15

This program of study is designed to provide each student with a broad, fundamental background in integrative and evolutionary biology (IEB) coupled with detailed knowledge and expertise in the chosen area of concentration. The core of the course work in integrative and evolutionary biology consists of four courses — BISC 515 (4), seminar BISC 549 (2-2) and a 4-unit course to be decided upon by the student's adviser — that are taken by all first-year graduate students. Various faculty members also teach a variety of advanced courses and seminars on specialized research topics each semester. In addition, a range of courses in areas relating to IEB are available in various departments on the University Park and Health Sciences Campuses.

Course Requirements

Each student's curriculum is tailored to the particular interests of the individual and the needs and demands of the chosen research field. A minimum total of 60 units is required, consisting of formal courses, seminars and research credit. The 24 units of formal course work must include 12 units of specified course work in integrative and evolutionary biology, BISC 515, adviser-specified course, seminar BISC 549 (minimum 4 units), and 12 units of advanced electives chosen in consultation with the student's adviser.

Screening Examination

After completion of the core integrative biology and evolutionary biology course work (BISC 515 , adviserspecified, BISC 549) during the first year, the student's degree progress is discussed and evaluated by a screening committee composed of members of the IEB faculty as well as the student's principal adviser. The purpose of this written and oral evaluation is to determine competence to continue graduate study and identify areas to be strengthened prior to the qualifying examination.

Student Teaching

Since most graduates in biological sciences will spend some part of their careers in academic work, teaching experience is considered an important part of graduate training. Each graduate student in the program is therefore required to assist in the teaching program for two semesters as a teaching assistant.

Qualifying Examination

By the end of the third semester, students should choose a qualifying exam committee consistent with the requirements of the graduate school composed of IEB faculty and one outside member. This committee will conduct the qualifying exam and provide guidance during dissertation research. The chair of the committee will serve as the principal adviser. Students should consult extensively with each committee member regarding subjects to be covered in the exam.

The qualifying exam consists of written and oral parts. Both parts must be finished before the end of the fifth semester. For the written exam, the adviser will consult with each of the members of the qualifying exam committee. The written part will incorporate evaluation and synthesis of existing knowledge related to topic areas, design of experiment to test a relevant hypothesis, and interpretation of anticipated results. The oral exam consists of an oral defense of the written part and will be conducted within a month of the written part of the qualifying exam.

Doctoral Dissertation

The dissertation is based on original, publishable and significant research conducted independently by the student under the guidance of the dissertation committee.

Defense of the Dissertation

The defense of the dissertation is either a defense oral or a final oral. In most cases a defense oral will suffice if approved by the dissertation committee.

The Master of Fine Arts in Interactive Media with an emphasis in Games and Health is administered in conjunction with the Creative Media & Behavioral Health Center (CM&BHC). Students do not apply to this program separately.

Students must apply first to the Master of Fine Arts in Interactive Media. Students may describe their interest in the emphasis in their application, but it is not required. Upon admission and enrollment, students who are interested in the emphasis should plan to take courses from the Health Emphasis Foundations & Research Core. The CM&BHC director can approve a probational admission to the emphasis, which will be awarded upon completion of the emphasis core courses and a thesis in an area that aligns with the center's vision and mission.

The curriculum is based on center crosscutting initiatives that represent the broadest descriptions of our vision and mission. Students benefit from emerging research, tools, and methodologies that converge at the center, as well as the wide range of backgrounds represented by faculty, students, and visiting scholars. Research is prioritized based on factors, including potential impact and benefit to society and overall alignment with center priorities. Some center initiatives include:

• Sports and Exercise for Wellness: investigation of novel assessment and treatment techniques using entertainment and technology for improvement of health outcomes related to obesity, nutrition and physical activity
• Healthy Brain Architecture: production and dissemination of innovative storytelling products toward promotion of healthy behavior for brain development and affect regulation during the entire human lifespan
• Social and Sensorimotor Play: investigation of novel assessment and treatment techniques using interactive play for improving social skills, visuospatial navigation and motor coordination in physical space
• Games for Health: promotion, development and assessment of innovative games with behavioral health applications
• Storytelling for Mobile Health (mHealth): mobile interactive entertainment with general health and wellness applications, or a specific chronic illness focus
• The Future of Health Care: re-imagining the patient/user/player experience within and beyond healthcare settings

This emphasis aims to provide specialized training and hands-on experience to enrolled MFA students toward design, development and evaluation of interactive entertainment for health and happiness. Students will obtain a broad perspective on theory, methods and practice through an intensive overview of core concepts of science with a lifespan perspective on brain development, lifelong resilience, wellness and illness. On a practical level, students will learn how to: (a) perform transdisciplinary formative research (e.g., literature reviews, prior art analyses) in order to establish background data and rationale for design and evaluation; (b) tailor intervention design and program design requirements to target population using transdisciplinary methodologies (e.g., ethnography, surveys, observation studies); (c) iteratively develop and/or adapt existing interventions focused on health and wellness in transdisciplinary team environments; (d) design and administer small studies for ecologically valid assessment of interventions (e.g., feasibility pilots, experimental designs, pilot clinical studies).

The degree requires 50 units and is a terminal degree. The degree is an intensive option suitable for research-oriented students who seek creative careers with a particular interest in education, healthcare, or social impact and will likely not pursue further studies. For students who do not wish to complete a thesis project, who want to focus less on creative expression, or who may pursue doctoral or health professional training, we recommend the non-terminal 36 units MA in Cinematic Arts with an emphasis in Media Arts, Games & Health. 

The Interactive Media Division offers a Master of Fine Arts in Interactive Media as well as a number of courses in computer-based entertainment for non-majors. The fundamental philosophy of the division is coherent with that of the programs of the school, stressing creativity of expression, experimentation and excellence in execution.

The MFA in Interactive Media is a three-year intensive program that requires 50 units of which 26 are requirements and 24 are electives chosen from a number of core area groupings. Students must take at least 6 units of expression studios, studying a breadth of skills involved in creating Interactive Media, at least 2 units of professionalization electives, 2 units of electives building technical skills and another 6 units of electives crafting a specialization in the field. Eight units of electives are totally open for exploration across the university. Two-thirds of the total units applied to the degree must be taken at the 500-level, so at least 12 500-level elective units must be taken. Students are expected to engage in an internship or professional work environment during the summer following their second semester. Students are required to complete an advanced interactive project which they design and produce in CTIN 594a and CTIN 594b Master's Thesis.

Computer and digital production facilities for the program are provided by the school. However, students should budget additional funds for incidental expenses for intermediate and advanced projects. Cost will vary depending on the scope of a student's project. For the first-year production course, approximately $1,000 will be needed for miscellaneous costs, lab and insurance fees.

The program is intended to prepare students for creative careers in the emerging field of interactive entertainment. While the program does not require advanced computer capabilities, familiarity and comfort with computer-based authoring and production/post-production tools is recommended.

The creation of interactive media requires a combination of skills from the traditional media of film and television as well as a deep understanding of the effects of interactivity upon the quality of experience. Therefore, we emphasize and encourage collaboration with students in other Cinematic Arts programs.

Approximately 15 students are admitted in the fall semester (there are no spring admissions).

Applicants for the MFA in Interactive Media must submit a supplemental application and materials to the Interactive Media Program. For specific instructions contact the Cinematic Arts Office of Admission, University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2211, (213) 740-2911 or online at cinema.usc.edu.

This certificate program is for students holding master's degrees who wish to pursue or expand careers in international and intercultural communication management. Students will study the latest developments in information and communication technologies, markets and cultures, and industry practices within cross-nation, cross-cultural contexts.

Students take 16 units of graduate course work beyond the master's degree, of which 4 units may be cognate courses.

The Master of Laws in International Business and Economic Law (LLM in IBEL) degree provides an interdisciplinary, global perspective for law students who wish to develop skills that will enable them to understand and integrate relevant laws, policies and business best practices that shape international business and economic law. The program provides students with training in cross-border transactions, as well as the organizational, transactional and compliance aspects of servicing globally engaged clients.

LLM in IBEL students are required to complete 24 units of study. Students must enroll in three mandatory courses and from among the electives below and other graduate law courses. International students must also enroll in Introduction to the U.S. Legal System.

To qualify for admission, students must have earned a first law degree (JD, LLB or equivalent) before enrolling in our LLM in in International Business and Economic Law at USC Gould School of Law.

The IBEAR MBA program is an accelerated global MBA for experienced managers and professionals. The curriculum contains internationalized core courses in its first three terms and selected international business electives thereafter. It concludes with a challenging consulting project in terms four and five.

A core of essential courses is designed to build the foundation of skills required of all leading executives, develop collaborative talent, cultivate innovation, build analytical skills, and expand the student's vision and ethical framework with a global perspective. An individualized program of electives allows students to acquire knowledge and skills in their preferred disciplines.

Application

In addition to the general admission requirements, applicants should have a minimum of six years of work and/or graduate study experience. Current participants average 11 years of experience and are 34 years of age. Scholarships are available to domestic and international students.

For more information, visit marshall.usc.edu/ibear or contact the IBEAR MBA Program: phone (213) 740-7140 or email ibearmba@marshall.usc.edu.

The Graduate Certificate in International Policy and Planning strengthens students' understanding of global policy, planning and public management issues underscoring comparative differences in policy approaches and governance institutions across countries, builds a core foundation of knowledge about the governing institutions and agreements that operate on a global level, and prepares students for working in international organizations. The professions of graduate students in the Price School (public administration, public policy, urban planning, health policy and management, and real estate development) are globalizing. To analyze and  understand the impact of globalization on their chosen field and to be competitive in a global context, emerging leaders in these professions should be conversant in thinking and operating on a global scale. Earning this certificate better prepares students for the professional demands of the globalized era.

The Certificate in International Policy and Planning consists of 14 units of graduate course work.

The International Public Policy and Management (IPPAM) Program offers a Master of International Public Policy and Management (IPPM). The degree is designed for managers, planners and analysts involved in social sector programs who want to strengthen their management skills and further develop their policy analysis capabilities. For professionals working in the social sectors, IPPAM offers an opportunity to deepen their conceptual understanding of the forces driving change in their sectors and to develop an analytical approach for accessing and reshaping social policy. The program is well-suited for mid-career professionals working in the social sectors, such as physicians, nurses and pharmacists in the health professions; educators and administrators in the teaching professions; government regulators, managers and staff; community organizers, aid workers and others working in the NGO sector; and reporters and others in the news professions interested in covering social issues.

This program is specifically designed for international students and U.S. students who wish to work in international settings, including the Pacific Rim, Latin America and countries in other regions with evolving social systems.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 32 units. All students must fulfill core requirements (18 units) in fundamental policy analysis and management disciplines and an additional 14 units in an area of concentration chosen by the student. The core requirements include: PPD 501a Economics for Policy, Planning and Development; PPD 542 Policy and Program Evaluation; PPD 569 Applied International Policy Analysis and Management Project; PPD 570 Applied Statistics for Planning, Policy and Management; and PPD 571 International Public Policy and Management Seminar.

Students select an area of concentration in which they complete a set of recommended elective courses. Each concentration allows students to pursue in depth one or more areas of particular relevance to their career goals. The concentration areas enable students in the interdisciplinary IPPAM program to establish a second "home" in one of the school's programs, such as health administration or urban planning. Students are required to consult with IPPAM faculty advisers to choose elective courses from a recommended list of courses relevant to the IPPM degree.

Through the integrated curriculum, participants gain practical skills, which are developed within an appropriate conceptual context. Many of the courses and applied projects integrate  examples and data from the student's home countries. Program graduates will have achieved advanced competency in disciplines that include public sector economics, applied methods for public policy analysis, evaluation and management.

Core faculty are drawn from the Price School of Public Policy and include senior, experienced faculty along with leading practitioners and experts in applied fields such as community development, international trade policy, health care policy, and so forth. In addition to the participation of distinguished visiting scholars as guest lecturers in class sessions, the program features an international seminar on public policy and management with guest lectures by policy makers. The opportunity to interact with leading scholars, policy makers, and practitioners from the United States and abroad is an essential component of the program.

The program begins in mid-June with intensive English language workshops and the course in applied statistics. The language workshop can be waived for students with 250+  computer-based TOEFL scores or 600+ paper-based TOEFL scores, or a score of 6.5 on the IELTS exam with no less than a score of 6 on each band score. In the fall semester, international students transition into the regular program consisting of required courses and electives in their chosen concentration area. Some international students may be required to enroll in additional English language workshops depending on how they score on required English exams. Most students can expect to complete the program in 13 months. The intensive nature of the program is designed for full-time students who take a leave from work while enrolled in the program. This approach minimizes the amount of time that professionals must be away from their full-time careers to pursue an advanced degree.

Applicants should have at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited university and three to seven years of significant professional experience. The IPPAM Program office is located in the Price School of Public Policy, Von KleinSmid Center, Room 253, phone (213) 740-0547, fax (213) 821-1331, email ippam@usc.edu.

Requirements

Students who have the degree objective of joint MA programs (Master of Arts, International Relations/Juris Doctor; Master of Arts, International Relations/Master of Planning; and Master of Arts, International Relations/Master of Public Administration) must apply for an MA in International Relations. Students pursuing these joint programs must refer to the specific course requirements outlined for each program.

Advisement

Students should consult with the school's faculty adviser each semester before registering for courses for the next semester. Students also are encouraged to seek advice from other faculty who work in areas related to their interests. Students may, if they wish and if a faculty member agrees, select a different faculty adviser from among the school's faculty. Consult with and inform the Office of Student Affairs regarding changes in faculty advisers.

The Master of International Trade Law and Economics degree provides an interdisciplinary, global perspective for students with an economic or other quantitative background who wish to develop knowledge and skills related to relevant laws, policies and business practices that shape international trade and economics. Students may complete the degree in one or two years.

Master of International Trade Law and Economics students are required to complete 32 units of study. Students are required to enroll in 16 core units from Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and 12 core units from Gould School of Law, with an additional 4 units of LAW electives chosen from a list of approved course offerings.

To qualify for admission, students must have earned the bachelor’s degree before enrolling in the program. Applicants may have earned their bachelor’s degree in a field, other than law, that provides a strong economics and/or mathematical background. Students may have graduated from an institution within or outside of the United States.