Graduate Certificate in Strategy and Management Consulting

Most recent curriculum information available here

Students should be aware that some MOR courses may be available to apply to the certificate as electives on an exception basis. Please contact the program office for details.

Application deadlines are rolling for current USC students.

Students are considered for admission once they have enrolled in or completed at least one qualifying course listed in the “Required and Elective Courses” dropdown above. If you’ve already completed units toward the certificate program as part of your graduate 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 https://usc.liaisoncas.com

• 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.

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 be in the program, the applicant must have earned the equivalent of a 4-year U.S. bachelor's degree with a competitive GPA. Applicants in the process of finishing an undergraduate degree may apply, with acceptance contingent on finishing the undergraduate degree and ability to be physically present at the start of the program.

Please see here for degree requirements by country.

Complete the online application and upload all required documents here.

International applicants should also consult the instructions for international students published in the USC Graduate Admissions web site.

When applying, we recommend using a personal email address that you will maintain access to for the foreseeable future rather than university or temporary accounts that you may lose access to. The program office is only able to communicate admissions decisions to the email address used at time of application.

Nonrefundable application fee: $155

USC students/ staff/ alumni, US military veterans, and select other groups qualify for an application fee waiver. For Fee Waiver Categories and instructions on how to apply for a waiver, click here https://gradadm.usc.edu/lightboxes/us-students-fee-waivers/

Transcript requirements are set forth by the Office of Graduate Admission. Please view their website for details.

Transcript submission is a two-step process:

1. You must upload scanned copies of official transcripts from all institutions attended to the online application. These must be official transcripts printed on university letterhead. Print-outs from online student portals are not acceptable.

2. After you submit your application and receive your 10-digit USC ID number, you must submit the official transcripts by mail, courier, or electronic services from all colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions you have previously attended.

Official transcript:

A transcript is considered official when it is received in the sealed envelope provided by the school, or when it is electronically transmitted (not emailed) from the institution. Even if it is mailed by the applicant, it can be considered official as long as the envelope has not been opened.

Cover sheet: We recommend that you fill out the “College/University Transcript Cover Page” and send it to the registrar’s office of each post-secondary institution you have attended. Although it is not mandatory, including it along with your USC ID number will help match your transcripts to your file as quickly as possible.

E-transcripts:

USC accepts official electronic transcripts from all countries, provided that the transcript originates from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution.

Please instruct the vendor to email the transcript to etrans@usc.edu. Do not send any other materials or correspondence to this email. Electronic transcripts e-mailed to any other address will not be downloaded, delaying review of your file and adding an extra expense because the transcript will need to be re-sent.

Transcripts in original language of issuance:

International students who have earned their degree outside the United States must check the country-specific requirements to determine if original-language copies of their academic records are needed. In such cases, a separate, word-for-word, English-language translation of all academic records must also be submitted. The translation should either be issued directly from the school itself or by a professional, certified, translator. It must contain all information shown on the original-language documents and “mirror” them as precisely as possible. Dual-language transcripts are also acceptable.

USC alumni or current students: USC degree holders do not need to submit USC transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admission. Please be sure to include your USC enrollment in the “Academic Background” section so that we may match your application to the academic records already on file.

Credential evaluation: Please note that USC does not accept or recognize credential evaluation reports from outside agencies (e.g. WES, ECE, etc.) for the purposes of admission review.

Mailing Instructions

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

GMAT/GRE

Only GRE/GMAT scores under 5 years old are considered valid. Official scores must be received before the deadline and sent directly to USC Marshall by testing service in order to be reviewed.

Official scores must be received before the deadline and sent directly to USC Marshall by testing service in order to be reviewed.

Submitting Scores: Upload electronic copies of your GMAT or GRE scores with your application in addition to sending official scores to USC Marshall through the testing service (GMAC or ETS).

Code
· GRE: 4852 (No department code is required).
· GMAT: 389-9C-23

Your scores are considered valid only if earned within five years to the month of your intended first term at USC.

English-Language proficiency – TOEFL/IELTS (International Students)

International graduate applicants must demonstrate English-language proficiency by submitting TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores.

Minimum Requirement:
TOEFL: Total 100; each band 20
IELTS: Overall 7; each band 6

Exceptions: International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement only under the circumstances outlined here.

Submitting Scores: To avoid delays in the processing of your application, please have your TOEFL or IELTS scores sent to USC Marshall when you pre-register for the examination. Upload electronic copies of your TOEFL or IELTS scores with your application in addition to sending official scores to USC Marshall through the testing service. Official scores must be received directly from the testing service and dated no earlier than 2 years (24 months) prior to the start of your intended first term at USC. Do not enter the name and contact information of your specific intended graduate department.

Code:
TOEFL: 4852 (no department code is required)
IELTS: choose “University of Southern California, Graduate Programs” from the list of available institutions on the day you sit for the exam.

Letters of recommendation are neither required nor accepted. Please do not submit such letters at any point during the admissions cycle.

Tuition

Tuition is calculated per unit based on the unit price of the given academic year. Tuition is subject to increase each academic year. For detailed information on tuition and mandatory fees please visit: https://classes.usc.edu/term-20223/tuition-and-fees/ Please keep in mind this information relates only to the listed academic year.

The Strategy and Management Consulting Graduate Certificate program is a 15-unit program of Business Graduate (500 level and above) Coursework.

In addition, we ask students to budget approximately $3000 for university and program fees. Students are also responsible for housing, food, transportation and student health insurance costs.

Student Financial Services

All tuition and fee payment are processed through Student Financial Services. For more information on billing cycles, methods of payment, and more, please visit their website or contact their department directly.

International Students -- Financial Statement

International students should visit here for further information.

Financial Aid

Please visit USC Financial Aid and click on “Graduates & Professionals” You will find information about domestic and international students.

Admission to USC is based on merit rather than ability to pay. The U.S. government, however, requires that all international applicants provide proof of adequate financial support for the first year of study and passport copies for you and any applicable dependents before a formal letter of admission and an I-20 (or DS-2019) can be issued.

It is not necessary to submit financial documents or a copy of a valid passport for your application to be reviewed or for an admission decision to be rendered.

However, during application ‘busy season’ from February to May, students should be aware that processing time for these documents can take up to 8 weeks. For this reason, we strongly suggest you submit financial documents and your passport copy as part of your original online application submission. This will greatly speed receipt of the I-20 document for admitted and certified students.

Please read carefully through USC Graduate Admission Guidelines for Financial Documentation , particularly the Financial Statement Expense Figures as well as the detailed guidelines for submitting proof of financial support.

Who is considered an international applicant?

All applicants who are not United States nationals, and will be entering, or have already entered, the United States with an F-1 or J-1 student visa, should apply as an international student. Applicants who already reside in the United States and hold other non-immigrant visas (for example, E2, H2 or L2) are also considered international applicants.

Permanent residents of the United States, naturalized U.S. citizens, and U.S. citizens residing abroad and attending a university outside the United States are not considered international students.

*For more information see here

How do I know if I am exempt from language testing?

International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement only under the circumstances outlined under “English-Language Test Waiver” here.

I have a 3-year Bachelor's degree, can I apply?

Country specific requirements are listed here: http://gradadm.usc.edu/lightboxes/international-students-country-requirements/.

What is the required International Degree Verification process?

Students who choose to attend USC should be aware that the USC Office of Degree Progress requires verification of international bachelor’s degrees from the International Education Research Foundation (IERF).

Students complete this process after admission to the program.

Detailed information about IERF services, including application forms, fees, and required documents are available at www.ierf.org/usc.

Please contact Degree Progress degprogss@usc.edu, 213.740.7070 if you need more information regarding prior degree verification.

Does USC provide answers to other Frequently Asked Questions about admissions for an International Student?

The Graduate Admissions Office website, https://gradadm.usc.edu/, is an amazing resource for international applicants and students to help address frequently asked questions and concerns. Visit their FAQ page for international students!

Is the Graduate Certificate in Strategy and Management Consulting STEM-eligible?

We are not designated as a STEM program as defined by the Department of Homeland Security for the STEM extension. However, you can still apply for OPT for one year after completed the degree program.

What is USC’s Office of International Service (OIS)?

USC's Office of International Services (OIS) is the primary resource for USC's international students. This office has the most updated information regarding visas, events specifically for international students, and employment. They also have great information on pre-arrival, arrival, and life in Los Angeles! All new students should sign up for their newsletter.

What if I need help paying for school? Are there scholarships?

There are no scholarships available for domestic or international students in the program.

For more information on financial aid that is specific to international students, please see USC's Financial Aid website: https://financialaid.usc.edu/general/international-students.html

International Students Financial Statement

International students should visit here for further information.

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

No. You have to apply for admission to the MBA program. Admission to the Graduate Certificate program will not change your chances of getting into the MBA program. You should apply to the MBA program instead. You will get a much broader education, and you can do the Graduate Certificate in conjunction with the electives portion of your MBA.

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. 

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

- International students must complete the program within two semesters.

- Domestic students and permanent residents may complete the program over several years.

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 as well.