Graduate Degrees

General Requirements for Graduate Degrees
Master's Degrees
Doctoral Degrees

The following sections give the general requirements which pertain to the awarding of the graduate degrees of Master of Science in Education; Master of Science in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling; Master of Science in Teaching English as a Second Language; Master of Education, College Student Personnel Services; Master of Science (Counseling Psychology); Advanced Master of Education; Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education; Ph.D. in Education (Counseling Psychology) and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.). More specific course requirements for each of these degrees are available in the following academic divisions:

Counseling Psychology Waite Phillips Hall 500 (213) 740-3255

Curriculum and Teaching Waite Phillips Hall 1004 (213) 740-3476

Educational Administration and Policy Waite Phillips Hall 904 (213) 740-3454

Educational Psychology and Technology Waite Phillips Hall 600 (213) 740-7407

Permission to register for courses in the School of Education does not automatically result in acceptance for study leading to an advanced degree. Limited status enrollment allows persons who have not been admitted to the university to take a limited number of courses at USC. If a limited status student is subsequently admitted to regular standing, no more than 12 graduate units taken through limited status enrollment can be applied toward a degree.

Admission

Admission to study for a graduate degree in education is based upon careful evaluation of the various competencies and attributes evidenced by the application for admission, a four year bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, upper division and graduate grade averages of B (3.0) or better, results of the GRE General Test and a favorable recommendation from the department in which the student intends to major. Usually a master's degree is required for admission to a doctoral program.

Divisions may recommend admission of students who do not meet the above criteria if alternative evidence of potential success in the program is provided. This evidence could include high test scores, high class rankings, letters of recommendation, or samples of scholarly papers or publications. The GRE scores are not used as the sole determinant of admission nor are they used in isolation from other data.

The GRE scores for an international student are assessed in terms of the mean scores from that student's country and for that student's anticipated discipline. A record of extenuating circumstances should accompany the application if appropriate.

For admission to the Ph.D. program, acceptance must be by both the School of Education and the Graduate School. Students seeking a Ph.D. must meet the requirements for both the Graduate School and the School of Education in all phases of the program. Students are advised to read carefully the requirements of both the Graduate School and the School of Education.

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Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
Joye Day
day@mizar.usc.edu