USC Marshall

One of the following:

GSBA 506ab: Applied Managerial Statistics [3 units] or

GSBA 425: Data Science for Business [2 or 3 units] or

GSBA 545: Data Driven Decision Making [1.5 units]

Plus

DSO 510: Business Analytics [1.5 or 3 units]

DSO 516: Probability and Data Modeling [1.5 units]

DSO 522: Applied Time Series Analysis for Forecasting [1.5 or 3 units]

DSO 528: Blended Data Business Analytics for Efficient Decisions [3 units]

DSO 529: Advanced Regression Analysis [3 units]

DSP 530: Applied Modern Statistical Learning Methods [3 units]

DSO 534: Discrete-Event Simulation for Process Management [1.5 units]

DSO 536: Monte Carlo Simulation and Decision Making [1.5 units]

DSO 545: Statistical Computing and Data Visualization [3 units]

DSO 547: Designing Spreadsheet-Based Business Models [3 units]

DSO 548: Emerging Technologies in Supply Chain [3 units]

DSO 552: SQL Database for Business Analysts [1.5 units]

DSO 559: Introduction to Python for Business Analytics [3 units]

DSO 562: Fraud Analytics [3 units]

DSO 565: Supply Chain Analytics [3 units]

DSO 570: The Analytics Edge: Data, Models, and Effective Decisions [3 units]

DSO 572: Strategies for Digital Analytics [1.5 units]

DSO 573: Data Analytics Driven Dynamic Strategy & Execution [3 units]

DSO 531: Digital Foundation for Business Innovation [1.5 units]

DSO 534: Global Business Issues in the Networked Digital Industry [3 units]

DSO 551: Digital Transformation in the Global Enterprise [3 units]

DSO 554: Digital Strategies for Sustainability in Global Markets [3 units]

DSO 556: Business Models for Digital Platforms [3 units]

DSO 574: Using Big Data: Challenges and Opportunities [3 units]

DSO 580: Project Management [3 units]

[not an option for students who have taken or will take ISE-525]

Application deadlines are rolling for current USC students. 

We suggest students apply for the term in which they will take their first course for the certificate program. If you’ve already completed units toward the certificate program as part of your MBA or MS 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.

Applications for the Graduate Certificate are submitted on-line via gradadm.usc.edu/apply/.

• Start by applying for an application fee waiver. (First year students must wait until they have completed their first semester to obtain an application fee waiver.) Follow the instructions under
   - step 3 at http://gradadm.usc.edu/apply/us-students/ready-to-apply/ or
   - step 4 at http://gradadm.usc.edu/apply/international-students/ready-to-apply/
  Processing of application fee waivers usually takes 3-5 working days. You will receive a confirmation email when the fee waiver is processed.

• 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.

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.

Applicants who have not taken an introductory graduate/master’s-level business statistics course before must apply for admission to begin the program in the fall semester only. 

For early registration: 
- February 1 for fall semester 
- September 1 for spring semester 
- January 1 for summer term 

Final Deadline for non-USC students: 
- May 15 for fall semester (April 1 for international students) 
- November 1 for spring semester (October 1 for international students) 
- March 15 for summer term (February 15 for international students) 

International applicants (who are not enrolled in another program at USC) who wish to come to the U.S. to complete this program only must complete the full program in no more than two semesters

To qualify for admission to the program:

• Applicants must have completed the equivalent of a 4-year undergraduate bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.0.
• A few years of work experience is preferred, but not required.
• Successful applicants will have scored in at least the 90th percentile on the GMAT or on the GRE.

For International students who did not spend 4 years completing a bachelor's degree at an American, British, Canadian or Australian college or university, proof of proficiency in English is required for admission. We accept scores from any of the following tests. (Only one is required. The minimums listed are not flexible.) Test scores are considered valid only if earned within 2 years of the applicant's intended first day of classes at USC.

• The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with a score of at least 100 with no less than 20 on each of the four test components.
• The IELTS (preferred) with a score of 7, with no less than 6 on each band score.
• The PTE (Pearson Test of English - Academic) with a minimum score of 70.

Individuals applying for admission to the Master of Science in Business Analytics should not apply for admission to the Graduate Certificate program also. It is not possible to earn two diplomas in the same major/subject.

Applications to the Graduate Certificate are submitted on-line via gradadm.usc.edu/apply/. International applicants should also consult the instructions for international students published in the USC Graduate Admissions web site.

Prospective students who have not previously taken a master’s/graduate-level (post-baccalaureate) introductory business statistics course must apply to begin the program in the fall semester. Prospective applicants who have taken a master’s/graduate-level business statistics course may apply to begin the program in the fall, spring, or summer.

A complete application includes the following items:

• Completed on-line application form.
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores no more than 5 years old.
• Resume.
• Responses to several short-answer questions
• A nonrefundable application fee (waived for current USC students, USC staff, and USC alumni - see the FAQ page).
• One official transcript from the registrar of each college or university attended except for USC. If all college or postgraduate work has not been completed, transcripts must be sent again when work in progress is completed and the degree is posted. Transcripts written in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. For more information visit http://gradadm.usc.edu/lightboxes/international-students-transcript-requirements/
• International applicants: TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores.

Exceptions:

Current USC students and USC alumni are not required to submit an application fee, new test scores, or new transcripts to verify degrees earned prior to their attendance at USC. All current USC students must include their recent USC academic work in the Academic History section of the application BUT may upload a copy of their STARS report in lieu of a USC transcript. Visit the FAQ page for more detailed instructions for "Current USC Students."

GMAT and PTE scores must be issued directly to USC by the GMAT testing service using the Marshall MBA school code - 389-9C-23. The school code for USC Marshall for the GRE is 4852. Scores must be from tests taken within the last five years.

GRE and TOEFL test scores must be sent by the Educational Testing Service directly to USC school code 4852.

Transcripts:

Transcript submission is a two-step process:

• You must upload scanned copies of official transcripts to the online application. Please note that these must be official transcripts printed on university letterhead. Print-outs from online student portals are not acceptable.
• After you submit your application and received your 10 digit USC ID number, you must also mail in official transcripts from all colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions you have previously attended.

Please refer to the following link for details instructions on transcript requirements: https://gradadm.usc.edu/lightboxes/us-students-transcript-requirements/.

For application deadlines refer to the Dates and Deadlines page of this web site.

For more information, write to GCRT.Analytics@marshall.usc.edu or call (213) 740-3198.

Applicants who have not taken an introductory graduate/master’s/post-baccalaureate-level business statistics course before must apply for admission to begin the program in the fall semester.

Applicants who have already taken an introductory graduate/master’s-level managerial/business statistics or analytics course may apply for admission to begin the program in the fall or spring semesters as well as in the summer.

International (non-resident alien) applicants who wish to come to the U.S. to complete this program only (without being enrolled in a master's program at USC) must complete the full program (15 units – usually 5-6 classes) in no more than two semesters, beginning in the fall. International applicants are advised to consult the USC Schedule of Classes for future course offerings to ensure that it will be possible to complete the program in the time allowed.

Please note: Many DSO 599 courses can also count for the certificate, but you must get approval for individual classes directly from GCRT.Analytics@marshall.usc.edu.

For USC alumni, courses completed in conjunction with the individual's prior degree may not be credited toward the certificate. Appropriate substitutions for required courses will be determined and documented by the program director.For current USC graduate students, courses credited to the Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics may be completed in conjunction with course work 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 MBA students may apply all 15 units of the graduate certificate program to their MBA degree. (Note: conferral of the certificate and documentation on the transcript is not automatic. It requires that the individual formally apply to the program and be admitted. See the Admissions and FAQ pages for more information about this process.)

Successful completion of the program is documented on the student's transcript and acknowledged with a certificate (diploma) awarded by the university.

For additional information, write to GCRT.Analytics@marshall.usc.edu or call (213) 740-3198.

No. Anyone who has the necessary qualifications is welcome to apply.

No. Admission to the Graduate Certificate program will not change your chances of getting into the MBA or MS program. Marshall’s MBA and MS degrees provide a much broader education, and include career support and scholarship opportunities. The graduate certificates do not help your chances of getting into another degree at Marshall and could create curricular overlap problems that could be expensive.

Yes. Holding a prior master’s degree does not exempt applicants from submitting the required test scores.

Coursework credited to a degree previously awarded by USC cannot be applied to the Graduate Certificate. Likewise, coursework taken at another university cannot be applied to the Graduate Certificate and should not be repeated at USC. Individuals who completed the equivalent of introductory graduate/master’s-level Managerial Statistics - prior to admission will be required to complete an alternate 3-unit course selected from the list of electives.

The length of time needed to complete the program varies from student to student.

- Full time students should expect to complete the program in 1-2 semesters. The time to completion will depend on the availability of required coursework in the term of admission.

- Domestic students and permanent residents may complete the program part time, taking 1-2 courses per term and finishing over several years.

- International students must complete the program within two semesters.

Please note that the Marshall Career Service does not offer support to certificate-only students. Certificate-only students are provided career-related services through the USC Career Center. Certificate students are encouraged to join graduate student clubs and organizations in their field of interest.