Graduate & Professional Degrees

A five-term program administered in collaboration with the Graduate School, the Master of Fine Arts in Design is a professional degree in the practice of design. A progressive degree option is available on a competitive basis to current Roski undergraduate students. With a faculty of influential design professionals and an expansive, retrofitted building in the downtown arts district, the MFA Design program seeks to be an ambitious and far-reaching addition to educational design community in Southern California.

In addition to mentored relationships with the design faculty, students participate in regular seminars, discussions and studio visits with leading visiting designers, writers and theorists from around the world. The Roski School's partnership and affiliation with the contemporary design community in Los Angeles, such as American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), is a critical component of the MFA Design program.

The opportunity to gain experience as a teaching assistant is available on a competitive basis. All incoming students, regardless of country of citizenship, are considered for departmental funding and teaching assistantships.

THESIS AND COMPLETION

The Roski MFA Design thesis committee will comprise three faculty members. Two members will be Roski faculty, defined as currently teaching in the Roski school with full-time appointment, tenure-track or non-tenure track. A third member can be any full-time tenure track or non-tenure track USC faculty member, either within the Roski School or from outside Roski. Thesis committees are reviewed by the Student Services office and subject to final approval by the school dean.

Master of Fine Arts Design students are evaluated by faculty during reviews held near the end of each semester.

Before a student is recommended for the Master of Fine Arts, a comprehensive review of past work and professional goals is held. A written thesis, documented with visual material, and a practice-based component, such as an exhibition of work, a public presentation, community project or a course syllabus at the end of the course of study, complete the Master of Fine Arts program. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on all graduate work is required for the Master of Fine Arts degree.

ADMISSION

Admission is competitive and based on submission of the USC Graduate Admission application and portfolio submission via the Roski School SlideRoom. 

An undergraduate degree in Design or its equivalent with a GPA of at least 3.0 is required. Applications are accepted in the spring for the fall. Preference will be given to full-time students, although part-time study can be accommodated with the director's approval. 

Application materials include the following:

1. USC Graduate Application

2. Transcripts (waived for Progressive Degree applicants)

3. Three letters of recommendation

4. Personal statement and CV

5. A portfolio of 20 images, submitted at SlideRoom

6. Results of the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE (international students only)

See the Roski School's website roski.usc.edu for additional information about the MFA Design program.

The goal of the PhD program in Development, Stem Cells, and Regenerative Medicine is to train the next generation of investigators in the history and practice of developmental and stem cell biology. The ultimate aim is to understand how the genomes of animals are translated into complex morphological forms, and to apply this basic knowledge to the emerging field of regenerative medicine. Close and regular contact between participating faculty of different disciplines and students is expected to facilitate the application of multidisciplinary approaches toward regenerative medicine.

Development, Stem Cells, and Regenerative Medicine students are required to complete DSR 542 and at least 2 units from the following: DSR 610, DSR 620, INTD 504 or other courses approved by the faculty adviser. In the second and subsequent years, students are required to register in DSR 574 every fall and spring semester. In addition, students are required to complete at least 4 units of DSR 794a Doctoral Dissertation,  DSR 794b Doctoral Dissertation.

PhD students must supplement course work by registering for DSR 790 Research during the fall, spring and summer semesters as needed to complete the minimum 60 units required for the PhD program.

As part of the requirements for the PhD degree in Development, Stem Cells, and Regenerative Medicine, students must adhere to the unit/course requirements, guidance committee and dissertation committee guidelines and must complete the qualifying examination, annual research appraisal, and dissertation and oral defense as outlined in the sections following the descriptions of the PhD programs.

Contemporary scholarship is undergoing profound shifts as new technologies alter how scholars interact, conduct research, author and visualize their work, as well as how they teach. The certificate program in digital media and culture explores the shifting nature of scholarly expression, pedagogical practice and research in the 21st century, combining seminars with hands-on, lab-based workshops in order to facilitate sophisticated critical thinking and practice in and through multimedia.

Open to graduate students interested in emerging modes of creative, networked and media-rich scholarship, the program seeks to provide participants with a sophisticated conceptual framework for considering the emerging landscape of scholarship in the digital age, as well as a broad overview of contemporary scholarly multimedia as it intersects with media art, information design, interactive media and communication studies.

The acceleration of worldwide mobile internet access has made digital media indispensable to commerce, culture, and human connection. Digital media platforms and content are driving growth across industries, with sectors such as streaming video, music, games and online publishing experiencing an unprecedented increase in global revenues. Envisioning and deploying the digital media products of the future will involve collaboration between culturally diverse and geographically dispersed teams. The Master of Science in Digital Media Management (MSDMM) program is designed to prepare professionals to better understand the evolving media landscape, to make data-driven and ethical decisions, and to build a more equitable future by leading diverse teams with the technical, artistic, analytical and production skills needed to create engaging content and technologies for the global marketplace.

Meeting the demands of diverse markets starts with digital media leaders who can effectively advance an inclusive and equitable culture within their own organizations. MSDMM students will learn professional practices needed for the strategic management of their teams, including: recruiting and onboarding an optimal mix of talent, promoting anti-racist and non-discriminatory policies, and cultivating a work environment where each person thrives. Additionally, by analyzing how organizations use digital platforms to aggregate and empower users, students will explore how to support diverse perspectives in storytelling and content-creation, delivering a user experience that balances organizational needs with the ethical imperatives to foster inclusivity, equity and access.

Through an examination of the intersecting relationships between digital media practices, consumer culture and society, students will also acquire a holistic understanding of digital media culture and business practices, and develop a critically-oriented foundation that prepares them for their roles as future leaders. Students will use real-world case studies as a springboard to ideate, create and evaluate the cutting-edge techniques, data collection methodologies and creative guidelines that can be used to implement long-range strategies for ethical media management. The program encourages immediate application of key concepts to industry challenges and opportunities with consideration of emerging technologies. Strategies for effectively communicating complex ideas to a variety of audiences and stakeholders are incorporated throughout the program.

A Master of Science degree in Digital Media Management requires 24 units of course work offered in the fall, spring and summer semesters. The program may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Students attending the program on a full-time basis can earn a degree within 12 months, and those on a part-time basis can complete the program in two years or less.

All master's degree candidates in the USC Annenberg School of Communication are required to complete the Managing Complexity in Diverse Organizations (MCDO) program during their enrollment at USC. MCDO is a non-credit, professional skills-building curriculum designed to prepare students to create, sustain and thrive within increasingly complex global work environments. The program is offered online by USC Annenberg every fall, spring and summer term. USC Annenberg faculty developed this immersive, eight-week, active learning program to equip learners with the skills to collaborate with, manage and lead across teams with diverse perspectives and expertise, while supporting resilient, high-performance professional environments. Learn more about MCDO on our website.

A STEM-designated degree program, the Master of Science in Digital Social Media (DSM) aims to equip students with the practical skills, critical knowledge and state-of-the-art strategies to succeed in a cutting-edge career in the digital and social media sectors. Beyond learning the fundamentals of digital and social media industries theories and methods, students pursue a customized curriculum toward the design, incubation, and execution of a rigorous, portfolio-building capstone project.

The 32-unit degree program may be completed in three consecutive semesters (fall/spring/summer) or over two academic years (fall/spring/fall/spring).

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in the program to graduate.

All master's degree candidates in the USC Annenberg School of Communication are required to complete the Managing Complexity in Diverse Organizations (MCDO) program during their enrollment at USC. MCDO is a non-credit, professional skills-building curriculum designed to prepare students to create, sustain and thrive within increasingly complex global work environments. The program is offered online by USC Annenberg every fall, spring and summer term. USC Annenberg faculty developed this immersive, eight-week, active learning program to equip learners with the skills to collaborate with, manage and lead across teams with diverse perspectives and expertise, while supporting resilient, high-performance professional environments. Learn more about MCDO on our website.

More information about STEM designation can be found here. 

Graduate admissions requirements for the Annenberg School of Communication can be found here.

This online program provides students with tools and resources to meaningfully participate in dispute resolution matters benefiting their careers and across multiple areas of employment. At least 12 units are required.

The Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR) is designed to prepare high caliber students who plan to practice Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the context of the U.S. legal system. The program offers both part-time and full-time options for students, and those who wish to carry full academic loads may complete the program within one academic year.

To obtain a Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR), students must take a total of at least 24 units of the core curriculum and elective courses listed below.  

In response to the ongoing reorganization of health care delivery systems, and the growing awareness of the impact of business decisions on health care, the Keck School of Medicine and the USC Marshall School of Business jointly offer an innovative program for individuals seeking knowledge in both medicine and business administration. The program is designed to prepare its graduates to assume leadership in the design and management of health care systems.

The MD/MBA program spans five years. Interested students apply during their second or third year of medical school, and begin required MBA courses following successful completion of the first two or first three years of medical school. The remaining time is devoted to the clinical clerkships of the Keck School of Medicine and completion of graduate business elective courses. At the conclusion of the program, students will have completed 48 units in the Marshall School of Business, including required and elective courses, and four years of courses in the Keck School of Medicine. Dual degree students may not count courses taken outside the Marshall School of Business toward the 48 units.

First and Second Years: Required medicine courses.

Third or Fourth Year: Required MBA courses and graduate business electives.

Remaining Years: Keck School of Medicine core, selective and elective clerkships and graduate business electives.

Admission Requirements

Students who have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and have successfully completed at least two years in the Keck School of Medicine will be considered for admission to the Marshall School of Business. Requirements for admission to the regular MBA Program (with the exception of the GMAT) must be fulfilled by the medical student for admission to the Marshall School.

The MD and the MBA degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of their requirements by the Keck School of Medicine and the Marshall School of Business.

The joint MD/MPH program at the Keck School of Medicine is designed for individuals who envision a medical career that combines public health and medical disciplines. Many individuals entering careers as medical doctors or public health practitioners wish to acquire not only medical practice competencies, but also an understanding of the history, organization, goals and philosophy of public health. The joint MD/MPH program offers a broadbased orientation to public health while the student completes medical school requirements. The Master of Public Health degree provides increased knowledge of and sensitivity to the political, historical, economic and social environments of health promotion and health services delivery.

The MD/MPH program can be completed in five years. After the successful completion of at least the clerkship phase of medical school, students take one year off from medical school to complete the MPH program in one year. Upon completion of the MPH program, students will return to medical school. The remainder of the program is devoted to clinical clerkships at the Keck School of Medicine.

Students who are enrolled in the Keck School of Medicine must apply to the Master of Public Health program no later than January of their third year. All requirements for admission to the regular MPH program must also be fulfilled by dual degree applicants.

All students in the MD/MPH program must meet course requirements, grade point average requirements and program proficiency requirements of both programs. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 in the MPH curriculum to meet graduation requirements.

The MD and the MPH degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of the Keck School of Medicine and the Master of Public Health program requirements. For more information, contact the MPH Program Office at (323) 442-7257.

The USC Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice offers a concentrated academic and comprehensive clinical curriculum. Nurse Anesthesia Trainees develop their clinical acumen and advanced skills through mandatory and specialty rotations in general surgery, cardiothoracic, neurosurgical, genitourinary, gynecologic, head and neck, plastic, orthopedic, trauma, obstetrics, pediatric and ambulatory outpatient procedures as well as experience in regional anesthesia, pain management, trauma, emergency airway response, and independent practice settings. The program aims to graduate full-service anesthesia professionals who competently provide expert care across diverse populations and to underserved communities. The program consists of 80 units and is completed in 36 months of continuous enrollment (nine semesters).

This professional doctoral program includes the essentials for doctoral education from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. Core science courses in anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and principles of nurse anesthesia complement the clinical nurse anesthesia residency. In addition, the student will discuss and synthesize current policies of the complex health care ecosystem, review principles of population health, explore health technology advances, and complete an extensive research project inclusive of translating science into practice. High fidelity simulation is incorporated into the curriculum to enhance student learning and clinical assimilation through skills workshops and communication, leadership, and critical thinking.