Graduate & Professional Degrees

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) will provide the graduate level academic and clinical training to enter the field of speech-language pathology. Graduates will be trained in the prevention, assessment and intervention for individuals with communication and swallowing disorders across settings and across the lifespan.

The professional entry-level Master of Science (MS) in Speech-Language Pathology is a rigorous full-time program. Students must meet all admission requirements, including prerequisite courses identified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and must have either a bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) or Speech-Language Pathology or the equivalent. These undergraduate and/or post-baccalaureate programs must be completed at a program from an accredited university in the United States.  

The curriculum comprises six semesters over two years, consecutive enrollment in a cohort model. The program includes both academic courses and clinical practicum courses for a total of 71 units. Clinical experiences are assigned by the program to meet the 400 hours of clinical experiences in different settings across the life span, per ASHA requirements.

Note: This program is not currently accepting students.

The Master of Education in Sports Leadership program is tailored for individuals committed to advancing equity and well-being across diverse sports contexts. By integrating a social justice lens, the program empowers students with the leadership skills needed to craft ethical policies, enact data-driven strategies and foster environments that prioritize holistic well-being and social justice. Upon program completion, graduates are prepared for roles as sports administrators, coaches and leaders in sports and community engagement across various levels, including youth, collegiate and professional settings. The online program requires at least 24 units; students complete five required courses and choose one of two focus areas.

Our Specialty Certificate in Sports Pharmacy is designed to train and equip pharmacists to advise and support athletes in making optimal choices regarding effective clinical drug and nutritional supplement options while ensuring compliance with the rules of the World Anti-Doping Code, sports federations and national anti-doping agencies. This program is offered for both licensed pharmacists and student pharmacists. This is a 4-course Specialty Certificate Program with 8 units of didactic courses and either 6 units of experiential education or 4-6 units of thesis (for licensed pharmacists only). Student pharmacists may apply units earned in this certification program toward their Doctor of Pharmacy requirements.

At least 12 units are required. 

The objective of this program is to provide academic instruction in statistical theory with a solid mathematical foundation while emphasizing applications to real world problems. Some probability theory is included to provide a rigorous foundation. The program is intended for individuals who are seeking or currently hold positions that involve statistical methodology and practice. A student may orient his or her course of study toward a particular field of application through appropriate selections from the program listings plus elective courses from other disciplines.

Course Requirements

At least 30 units are required, including:

The certificate program is designed for current students in the Master of Science in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine program at USC, who have completed the requirements for the MS degree and wish to complete a second year of study including an independent research project. Graduates from other programs and other institutions both inside and outside the U.S., who desire advanced training in this field may also be considered for admission. A smaller number of students may come from nontraditional backgrounds (business, legal, etc.) and seek specific training in this discipline in order to advance specific career paths in which they are already employed. All students are expected to already have completed undergraduate courses in cell and molecular biology. 

Stem cell biology is one of the newest and most powerful approaches in biomedical science; it offers the opportunity to experimentally approach previously intractable biological questions, create models of human disease and develop cell-based therapeutics. This one-year program will give students a solid understanding of the scientific and clinical underpinnings of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.

Students completing this program will be well positioned to proceed to medical or PhD programs, find laboratory or administrative employment in the growing stem cell pharmaceutical domain, or engage in public policy or regulatory administration of academic, clinical or business efforts in this expanding discipline.

California is globally recognized as the worldwide center of stem cell science, and USC has invested significantly in building the new Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, within which this certificate program is based and administered.

Stem cell biology is one of the newest and most powerful approaches in biomedical science; it offers the opportunity to experimentally approach previously intractable biological questions, create models of human disease and develop cell-based therapeutics.

This intensive one-year program (with an optional second year) will give students a deep understanding of the scientific and clinical underpinnings of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. The program includes three didactic lecture courses that address developmental cell biology and human embryology, stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, and translational and therapeutic aspects of stem cell technology. The program also includes two laboratory modules that provide guided hands-on experience with stem cells and stem cell laboratory approaches, and several different faculty-led discussion-based courses that allow detailed investigation within specific aspects of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.

Students completing this program will be well-positioned to proceed to medical or PhD programs, find laboratory or administrative employment in the growing stem cell pharmaceutical domain, or engage in public policy or regulatory administration of academic, clinical or business efforts in this expanding discipline.

California is globally recognized as the worldwide center of stem cell science, and USC has invested significantly in building the new Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, within which this MS program is based and administered.

Stem cell biology and regenerative medicine is one of the newest and most powerful approaches in biomedical science; it offers the opportunity to experimentally approach previously intractable biological questions, create models of human disease and develop cell-based therapeutics.

Program Description

This two-year program will give students a deep understanding of the scientific and clinical underpinnings of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. In the first year, the program includes three didactic lecture courses that address developmental biology and human embryology, stem cell biology and regenerative medicine and translational and therapeutic aspects of stem cell technology. The program also includes two laboratory modules that provide guided hands-on experience with stem cells and stem cell laboratory approaches, along with several faculty-led discussion-based courses that allow detailed investigation within specific aspects of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.

During the second year, under the mentorship of department faculty, students will extend their educational experience with two additional seminar courses (DSR 620 and DSR 610) and apply methodologies used in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine to create an independent capstone project. This capstone project (SCRM 594a, SCRM 594b, SCRM 594z) will involve assembling a thesis committee, meetings with the committee, preparing a thesis to be submitted to the USC library and a public defense.

Applicants to this program must have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0) in undergraduate work. Other materials required include: official transcripts, two letters of recommendation and a Statement of Purpose. The Statement of Purpose should succinctly describe the reasons for applying to the program, the preparation for this field of study, academic interests, future career plans and any other aspects of the applicant's background that may aid the admissions committee in evaluating aptitude and motivation for graduate study in this field.

Students enrolled in the MS Program in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (without thesis) can petition to transfer at the completion of year 1 if they are in excellent academic standing. These students must obtain approval from both the Thesis Mentor and Program Director.

Students completing this degree will be well-positioned to proceed to PhD or medical programs, find laboratory or administrative employment in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology domains, engage in public policy or administration of academic, clinical or business efforts in the expanding discipline of regenerative medicine.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe foundational concepts in stem cell and developmental biology and translational biology.
2. Explain the principles underlying the equipment, reagents, databases and methods commonly used for research in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.
3. Develop critical thinking skills by analysis of experimental data in published literature.
4. Outline the steps of the research process, state key research criteria and pitfalls, and design a credible and meaningful research project.
5. Evaluate current issues and approaches in stem cell biology through writing and oral presentation
6. Implement and manage academic sources and citations to competently and efficiently produce documents.
7. Create original research which will if appropriate, entail trouble shooting, hypothesis testing and data analysis.
8. Defend a master's thesis succinctly, in written and oral forms, to faculty, mentors and potential collaborators.

Degree Requirements

Graduation requires completion of 35 units according to the course schedule outlined below. This program is intended to be completed within two academic years and culminates with the completion of a capstone project to be presented and defended as part of SCRM 594a, SCRM 594b, SCRM 594z.

This certificate program is for students holding master's degrees who wish to pursue or expand careers in corporate communication and communication consulting. Students will study the latest developments in organizational communication research and theory and the application to business communication issues.

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

The Strategy and Management Consulting graduate certificate provides USC graduate students with the tools, concepts and frameworks that will aid them in leading the process of strategy development and management consulting to improve business performance. Evidence-based frameworks and hands-on projects will enhance students' skill sets in diagnosing strategic issues in complex settings. Different types of intervention strategies and contingency frameworks will provide students with an extensive and robust toolkit that can be applied in multiple industry settings.

Admission Requirements

Admission to this program is limited to current USC graduate students. A few years of work experience is preferred, but not required.

Application Procedure

For information regarding how to apply, visit students.marshall.usc.edu/graduate-certificate-admissions-usc-students.

For more information about the program, visit marshall.usc.edu/gcrtsmc.

Business is increasingly involved in social and environmental issues. On the one hand, government and civil society are exerting increasing pressure on the business sector to help address the world's pressing social and environmental sustainability challenges. On the other hand, a growing number of businesses are seeking to respond proactively to these challenges. The Sustainability and Business Graduate Certificate prepares students to help shape solutions to social and environmental sustainability challenges, both from within and from outside the business sector.

The program is designed for current Marshall graduate students already strong on the business side and current graduate students outside Marshall who may have strength on the sustainability side but want more strength on the business side.

Admission

Admission to this program is limited to current USC graduate students.

Applicants may apply for admission to begin the program in the fall or spring semesters as well as in the summer, depending on course availability. For information regarding how to apply, visit students.marshall.usc.edu/graduate-certificate-admissions-usc-students.

For more information about the program, visit marshall.usc.edu/SUSB.