PhD Admissions

1. Completion of Bachelor's Degree or the Equivalent by Term of Admittance:
   Applicants must have completed or expect to complete a four-year bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) by the beginning of the Fall 2024 semester with the equivalent of a 3.0 GPA (B average) on the U.S. 4.0 scale. For international applicants, specific equivalencies by country are available on the USC GRADUATE ADMISSIONS WEBSITE.
2. Transcripts (unofficial copies of ALL transcripts must be uploaded):
   Uploading unofficial transcripts via the online application system is a requirement to complete the Marshall PhD application.
   Please do not upload protected PDF copies of the transcript to the online application system.
   Official transcripts may be requested of applicants who proceed to Round 2 of applications review. Round 2 decisions are sent in mid- to late-February. Please refer to the Graduate Admission site for more information on transcripts and submission of official transcripts.
3. GRE or GMAT scores (valid scores must be submitted; no exceptions):
• All applicants, regardless of academic history and work experience, must submit a valid GMAT or GRE score. We are now accepting GMAT Focus on addition to the traditional GMAT score.
• GRE and GMAT should be taken within 5 years from the date of the intended date of enrollment. 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).
  
• Submitting official scores: 

  GRE: Code is 4852. No department code is required. 

  GMAT: Code 389-9C-89

4. English Language Requirement

   International applicants must demonstrate English-language proficiency by submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores.
   
   Minimum Requirement for PhD Programs
   TOEFL: Total 100; each band 20
   IELTS: Overall 7; each band 6

   Valid Scores: English-proficiency scores must be dated within 2 years (24 months) of the date you submit your graduate application. For example, a prospective student applying to fall 2024 who submits their USC application in December 2023 will need to have taken the test no earlier than December 2021.

   Exceptions: Please refer to Graduate Admission for information on exemptions to the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.

   Submitting Scores: Official scores must be received directly from the testing service and dated no earlier than 2 years (24 months) prior to the month in which you submit your application to USC. Do not enter the name and contact information of your specific intended graduate department. Please refer to the USC Graduate Admission to learn about how to send official scores to USC.

   Code:

   TOEFL: 4852 (no department code is required)

   IELTS: Choose “University of Southern California, Graduate Programs” from the list of available institutions.

As a reminder, inputting unofficial (student) score reports via the online application system is a requirement to complete the Marshall Ph.D. application.

In this section of the online application, you will be required to provide your personal information such as First and Last (Family) Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Phone Number, Email Address, Mailing Address, etc.

1. CV/Resume

1. Three Letters of Recommendation:
   Letters of recommendations are submitted via the online application system. In the online application, you will submit the names and email addresses of three recommenders. The system will send them an email that provides instructions on how to submit the recommendation letter on your behalf.
   
   The admissions committee prefers recommendations from academics familiar with your scholastic and research capabilities; those from faculty members with whom you have worked in a research capacity are particularly valued.
2. Personal Statement: Please upload a personal statement addressing the following two prompts:

1) Statement of Purpose: Please describe why you wish to pursue a PhD degree in Business Administration in your chosen field of specialization. Please also explain why you believe that the Marshall School of Business would be a good fit for you.

2) Research Experience/Interest: Please describe any significant academic research experience you have had, if any. Indicate who you worked with, the topic you studied, the skills you developed, activities you engaged in and the output from the project (e.g., conference paper, publication, etc.). You can also describe your research interest as well.

If desired, you can upload additional documents pertaining to your research experience. For example, if your previous research experience culminated in a conference paper or journal publication, you can upload it under "Optional Documents" below. Again, this is not required.

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, a passport is required for certified students to request I-20 in Trojan International.

The PhD Program will provide funding admission to Graduate Admission for admitted students.

The USC Marshall School of Business provides full financial support to PhD students for five years in the form of a fellowship or assistantship. After a student has advanced to candidacy (typically in the third year), the student becomes eligible for additional research awards.

Funding Package: Fellowships & Graduate Assistantships

All applicants who apply by the deadline(s) are automatically considered for competitive funding package each year. Accepted students receive a funding package that includes a full tuition waiver, generous stipend, individual health and dental insurance, coverage of student health center fees, and mandatory university fees each year. The total financial support provided is approximately $130,000 per year, depending on a student's course-load.

Fellowship recipients are guaranteed funding through either the continuation of the fellowship or through an assistantship for five years provided they maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Outside Funding

Occasionally a student brings outside funding to replace or supplement the funding from the USC Marshall School of Business. Examples of outside funding sources include the foreign governments and the National Science Foundation program. Such funding is acceptable, but applicants should understand that funding source is not considered in the evaluation process. We accept only the top applicants regardless of the source of funding.

Research Support & Awards

Marshall Ph.D. students are provided with a discretionary account for teaching and research activities. The annual funding increases as the student progresses in the program into more research activities in the later years.

After advancing to candidacy, students become eligible for competitive research awards open exclusively to USC Marshall Ph.D. students. Past awards have been sponsored by the Ford Foundation, USC Marshall Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurship and other awards sponsored by Marshall or the USC Graduate School.