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Graduate Certificate Admissions - USC Students

Current USC Students

Only students currently enrolled in a Masters or Doctoral degree at USC are considered ‘current USC students.’ If you are an alumnus, even if recently graduated, you must follow the directions to apply as a non-USC student.

Dates and Deadlines

Applications must be received before Final Examinations of the semester in which the student will complete the certificate and/or combined master’s degree.

Students are considered for admission once they have enrolled in or completed at least one qualifying course listed in the “Required and Elective Courses” dropdown above. If you’ve already completed units toward the certificate program as part of your graduate degree, you may apply to the next available term. Be sure to carefully read “Combining your current USC program with the graduate certificate” if you are nearing graduation from your primary USC degree.

Each September, applications for the following Spring, Summer and Fall terms are launched. If you don’t see the term for which you wish to apply, try back in September.

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Application

Applications for the Graduate Certificate are submitted on-line via HTTPS://USC.LIAISONCAS.COM

  • Use your existing login and password to retrieve your file in WebAdmit (DO NOT create a new account).

  • Under the "Add Program" tab search for "Program Level" Certificate, find "Marshall School of Business" and select the Graduate Certificate from the list for the appropriate semester.

  • Return to the "My Application" tab and complete the required portions of the application. Test scores and transcripts submitted to USC with your prior application will be on file in the USC admissions system. You will not have to submit new official scores or new official transcripts, but do fill in the requested fields and upload scanned copies as requested to your application. You may upload a copy of your STARS report for your current program instead of a USC transcript.

  • In the "Academic Background" section, don't forget to add your current USC degree program to your education history.

  • In the "Program Materials" quadrant, the "Questions" are required.

When you are ready to submit your application, if the system asks for a credit card number, do NOT give it a credit card number. Contact USC ADMISSIONS to follow up on the status of your waiver.

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Combining Your Current USC Program with the Graduate Certificate

The graduate certificate may be completed in conjunction with coursework required for the program in which the student is already enrolled. Applicability of these courses to the student's primary degree program is determined by the student's home department. Current USC MBA students may apply all 15 units of the graduate certificate program to their MBA degree.

While we recommend you apply to the certificate in conjunction with registration for the first class which will apply to the certificate, note that we can apply prior coursework completed in your primary graduate degree retroactively toward the certificate as long as your primary degree has not posted.

If your primary degree at USC is awarded prior to completion of the certificate, it’s no longer possible to overlap units and you will be required to complete 15 unique units for the certificate.

Note: conferral of the certificate and documentation on the transcript requires that the individual formally apply to the program and be admitted.

 

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Application Instructions for Current USC Students

Only students currently enrolled in a Masters or Doctoral degree at USC are considered ‘current USC students.’ If you are an alum, even if recently graduated, you must apply as a non-USC student.

 

When can I apply?

Applications must be received before Final Examinations of the semester in which the student will complete the certificate and/or combined master’s degree.

Application for admission to a certificate program by current USC students is accepted when the following conditions are met:

  1. Student has completed at least one full term of enrollment at USC

and

  1. Student has enrolled in – or completed – at least one qualifying course listed in the “Required and Elective Courses” dropdown listed in the respective Certificate’s catalogue (https://catalogue.usc.edu/)

and

  1. Prerequisite chart:

 

Program Prerequisite Coursework
Business Analytics

GSBA 506A/b, GSBA 545, GSBA 524 or equivalent graduate level statistics course.

If you have not taken a prior 500-level statistics course, you must begin the certificate program with GSBA 545 during the Fall semester.

Marketing

GSBA 509, GSBA 509a, GSBA 528, or equivalent graduate level marketing course.

If you have not taken a prior 500-level marketing course, you must begin the certificate program with GSBA 528 during Fall semester.

Financial Analysis and Valuation GSBA 548 or prior 500-level corporate finance course.
Strategy and Management Consulting No Prerequisite Requirement.
Sustainability and Business No Prerequisite Requirement.
Optimization and Supply Chain Management No Prerequisite Requirement.
Technology Commercialization No Prerequisite Requirement.

 

*** Please note restrictions on the Marketing and Business Analytics certificates. Both have a pre-requisite that may require you to apply for a specific start term. ***

Each September, applications for the following Spring, Summer and Fall terms are launched. If you don’t see the term for which you wish to apply, try back in September.

Be sure to carefully read “Combining your current USC program with the graduate certificate” if you are nearing graduation of your primary USC degree.