USC Marshall

To be considered for the USC Online MBA program, candidates must meet the following admissions requirements:

- Earned a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution

- Completed a minimum of 2 years of professional work experience

If you are starting your application for the first time, begin by creating an account through USC’s application portal. Return to your application at any time by signing in through the same application portal.

The OMBA admissions team communicates important application updates and admissions decisions primarily via email. Applicants are highly encouraged to use their personal email addresses, rather than university or temporary accounts that may become inaccessible over time.

In addition to submitting your application, you will be required to submit the following supplemental items through the application portal: 

- Two required essays as outlined in the online application

- An up-to-date professional résumé 

One letter of recommendation written by a professional contact is required. An applicant can submit up to three if they choose.

Letters of recommendation are used to gauge the applicant’s professional achievements and managerial potential. Each letter should provide specific observations and examples of the student’s leadership, teamwork, analytical skills and personal qualities

Submitting your transcripts is a two-step process:

1. Scanned copies of your official transcripts (Registrar-issued and printed on university letterhead) are required to be submitted with your online application. While these uploaded copies are technically unofficial, they will allow the Admissions Committee to render a preliminary admissions decision on your application. Printouts from online student portals are not acceptable.

2. After your application has been processed and you have received your 10 digit USC ID number, submit official copies of transcripts from all colleges, universities and other post-secondary institutions you have previously attended.

It is recommended that all official transcripts are sent electronically. Official transcripts will only be considered valid if they are received from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution.  Instruct the vendor and/or institution to email your transcript to etrans@usc.edu. Do not send any other materials or correspondence to this email address. Electronic transcripts emailed to any other address will not be downloaded, resulting in a delay of your file review and an extra expense to you as the transcript will need to be re-sent. If your institution does not provide an official e-transcript, they must mail your transcript to the university via regular mail or courier services (such as DHL or FedEx) at the following address:

Sending via regular mail
University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission
3601 South Flower Street, Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

Sending via courier services
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 alumni or current students: While USC degree holders must upload a copy of their official transcript into the online application, they do not need to submit official USC transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admission. Please be sure to note your USC enrollment in the “Academic Background” section of your application so that we may match your application to the academic records on file.

International students: If located outside the United States, we accept electronic transcripts only from India sent via TrueCopy Credentials. We do not accept electronic transcripts from any other overseas institutions or vendors.

Submit the application fee through your account on the online application portal.

Interviews are conducted by invitation only at the discretion of the Admissions Committee and will be conducted via video web conference. Applicants selected for an interview will be notified by email.

For decades, the University of Southern California and the Marshall School of Business have been committed to cultivating a global perspective, connecting students from around the world to one another in their pursuit of continued learning. The online format perfectly supports this mission, bringing access to USC’s acclaimed business instruction to students outside the United States.

The Online MBA program is proud to accept international students and welcome them to the Trojan Family. Please see the admission requirements for more information.

The program does involve a one-week, on-campus class session that is a required element of the curriculum.To attend the one-week, on-campus session you must currently live in the United States on an appropriate visa. At this time USC cannot issue a student visa for our program. If you have additional questions please contact our Online MBA Admissions team.

Despite this on-campus session, applicants from outside the United States should note that, because the program is delivered online, USC cannot grant Online MBA students a student visa. The USC Office of International Student Services will assist students in pursuing a temporary visa for their week on campus.

The program also involves mandatory discussion sessions conducted live via webcam for each course as well as group work and projects. International students must be able to work this into their schedule no matter where they may reside. They also should ensure that the technology and Internet speed is capable of handling streaming video and audio.

All Students Must Have Access To:

A computer (Windows or Mac OS) with the latest version of any of these browsers
- Chrome
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- FireFox
Note: iPads or Android tablets will work with the online course platform but may not be sufficient for other coursework
- Headset or built-in speakers & microphone
- HD Webcam
- Broadband/high speed internet (1.5mbps minimum/3mbps preferred)

English Language Proficiency

International graduate applicants must demonstrate English-language proficiency by submitting either TOEFL or IELTS scores. International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement under certain circumstances. You can visit the Graduate Admission page to learn more about USC's policy regarding exemptions. USC does not waive the English-proficiency requirement based on any other considerations (work experience, ESL enrollment, etc.).

To avoid delays in application processing, its recommended that international students have their TOEFL or IELTS scores sent to USC Marshall when they pre-register for the examination. Copies TOEFL or IELTS scores can also be uploaded along with the program application. Official scores must be received directly from the testing service and date no earlier than 2 years (24 months) prior to the start of your intended first term at USC. If sending TOEFL scores, the institution code for USC is 4852 (no department code is required). If sending IELTS scores, please choose “University of Southern California, Graduate Programs” from the list of available institutions of where to send scores on the day of the examination. Please do not enter the name and contact information of the specific intended graduate department. USC will only accept electronic IELTS scores. Paper scores are not considered official.

To attend the required residential week you must currently live in the United States. The Online MBA program does not offer a student visa for the required residency.

Earning your Online MBA at Marshall School of Business is a considerable investment, but the experience and knowledge you receive will be well worth it. As you plan for the future, explore how financial aid and scholarship opportunities can make your education more affordable.

Total Tuition (split across five semesters)
$112,072

Program & Course Materials Fees (split across five semesters)
$5,750

Textbooks, eBooks, and course materials purchased directly by student (estimated total for entire program)
$2,000

Student Health Insurance (may be waived if students already have eligible, comprehensive health insurance)
$8,010

Travel to USC campus in downtown Los Angeles for the Residential Intensive week (Note: Costs for the hotel and most meals are covered by the OMBA program fee.) Cost will vary per individual and needs to be arranged by student.


Total (Estimated)
Not including health insurance or travel*
$119,822

All costs listed are estimated. Admitted students will be required to pay a $2,500 commitment deposit to secure their place in the program, which will be applied toward tuition expenses.

OMBA Program Scholarships

The USC Online MBA Program offers merit-based scholarships, ranging from $5,000-$20,000. Students must submit their OMBA application by the scholarship deadline to be considered for an OMBA Program Scholarship (no additional application is required).

Scholarships are awarded based upon professional experience, leadership skills, academic merit, test scores and factors that will enhance the Online MBA and greater USC Marshall community.

Applicants are highly encouraged to apply for financial aid as soon as they submit their application for admission. You can start by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your FAFSA data helps determine your federal aid eligibility which may play an essential role in your payment plan.

Steps to Apply for Financial Aid

Follow the steps below to kick-start your financial aid application, or visit the USC Graduate Financial Aid websitefor additional instructions and detailed information about the financial aid process.

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Enter USC’s federal code (001328) on the application to ensure information is sent to the university.

2. Submit USC’s required Financial Aid Supplement form via youSC.
- Indicate the number of units you will take per semester (10-13 units). The enrollment units you select in this form must match your actual enrolled units for your financial aid to be properly disbursed.

3. Submit any additional information requested by the Financial Aid Office.
- As the Financial Aid office processes your information, you may be asked to submit supplemental information. Please submit any requested information within 10 business days.

4. Complete your Loan Request Forms.
- If you plan to borrow a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, you must Complete the Federal Direct Loan Request form via youSC.
- If you plan to borrow a Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan, you must complete the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Request by visiting studentaid.gov.
- For more information about the loan programs, studentaid.gov.

5. Check the status of your loan application(s).
- Submit required documents and view the status of your Financial Aid application through the FAST portal via youSC.

The U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid provides students with federal loans to help pay for graduate studies. Please visit studentaid.gov or for more information about the program and its benefits.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized (Stafford Loans)
Graduate students may borrow up to a maximum of $20,500 per academic year at a fixed interest rate, regardless of financial need.

Graduate and Professional Student Federal Plus Loan
Graduate students may borrow remaining amount needed if Stafford loans do not cover the full expense amount.

Payment Plans

USC offers payment plans that allow students to pay for tuition, fees and other university charges in interest-free installments over the course of the term. Learn more about payment options at the Student Financial Services website.

Employer Reimbursement

Defer payment of up to 90% tuition through employer reimbursement, Learn more about eligibility and steps to apply.