Preparing to Apply
It takes an average of five years to complete the PhD program — two years of coursework and approximately three years of research and writing of the dissertation. The MS program is a two-year program.
No, we do not offer online, distance learning or part-time programs.
We only admit for the fall semester, as follows:
- PhD program in Health Economics: admits every even year
- MS program in Pharmaceutical Economics & Policy: admits every even year
- MS and PhD programs in Pharmaceutical and Translational Sciences (PHTS): admits every year
No, we do not accept transfer students. Interested applicants are required to submit an application for consideration as a new student. Upon acceptance into the program, you may request that the department review your transcripts to determine if any units are transferable.
No, the graduate programs do not offer conditional admission.
Please visit the Graduate Admission website for a comprehensive overview of the admission processes, policies and procedures.
Fees/Tuition/Financial Aid
Do you offer financial aid for Master’s or PhD students?
If you are admitted as PhD student, both domestic and international students are eligible for financial aid in the form of teaching assistantship, research assistantship, or a fellowship. A typical funding package covers students in good standing for five years. Students receive full tuition and fees, and a generous stipend for living expenses.
MS students are self-pay students. We do not offer any financial aid.
For available external fellowships, please visit the Graduate School website.
For further information on tuition and fees, please visit the Financial Aid website.
Click here for information.
Deadlines
The application deadline for all programs is January 15. Program deadline expires on January 15 at 11:59:59 pm PST. Our application is available starting September 1 of every year.
We recommend that you first submit an application and once you have been assigned a USC 10-digit ID number, arrange for the information to be sent.
Applying to USC
The online application is accessible via the Graduate Admission website.
Please visit the Graduate Admission FAQ page. Contact information is provided on the page.
International Students
Admission requirements are essentially the same for domestic and international applicants. The only exception is the English-language proficiency test TOEFL/IELTS/PTE. In addition, USC Graduate Admission requires specific documentation once you are admitted. Please refer the Graduate Admission website.
As per the USC Office of Graduate Admission, you are only exempt if the following apply:
- You hold a Bachelor’s degree completed in residency in United States or other Anglophone country.
- Your native language is English.
For more information, please visit the Graduate Admission website.
Your scores are considered valid only if earned within two years of your intended first term at USC. (For example, no earlier than August 1 two years prior if applying for the fall term.)
Transcripts
Carefully read the Graduate Admission webpage regarding transcript requirements.
E-transcripts can be emailed to etrans@usc.edu.
If sending your transcripts via regular mail, please use the following address:
University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission
3601 South Flower Street, Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915
If sending your transcripts via courier service, such as DHL or FedEx, please use the following address:
University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission and Financial Aid
3601 South Flower Street, Tyler 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915
Phone: (213) 740-1111
USC does not accept or recognize credential evaluation reports from outside agencies (e.g. WES, ECE, etc.) for the purposes of admission review.
Standardized Tests
If the program requires it, USC Mann does not waive the GRE under any circumstances. Please refer the individual program requirements for further information.
If the program requires it, you may not substitute any other test for the GRE. The test is mandatory for programs that require it. Please refer the individual program requirements for further information.
Your scores are considered valid only if earned within five years to the month of your intended first term at USC (for example, no earlier than August 1 five years prior if applying for the fall term).
Application Status Check
Please refer to the Graduate Admission website for further information by clicking here.
You will be notified via email once your official letter is posted and available to view on youUSC starting in February through the Spring. If you are admitted, you can also certify your enrollment using the Intent to Enroll form there.
During the peak admission period (January to May), admission processing takes a minimum of four weeks after we receive your application.
You may log back into your application anytime to check your current application status. USC Graduate Admission will notify you via e-mail if additional information or materials are needed to complete our evaluation. Please be sure that you have provided a valid e-mail address and to check it regularly.