Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) Admissions

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 website. 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.

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.

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

Spotlight: USC

The USC Office of Graduate Admission organizes Spotlight: USC programs, where you can learn how to successfully complete USC’s online Graduate Application, avoid common mistakes, ask general application-related questions, and take a tour of campus. Click here to see the schedule and register.

To support you in the admission process and help you learn more about the program, we host a series of events allowing you to connect with advisors, professors, and current USC students.

GMAT/GRE
GMAT/GRE scores are neither required nor accepted. All applications will be reviewed holistically.

English-Language proficiency –TOEFL/IELTS (International Students)
International graduate applicants must demonstrate English-language proficiency by submitting TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores.

Minimum Requirement:
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 month in which you submit your application to USC. Do not enter the name and contact information of your specific intended graduate department.

Code:
IELTS: choose “University of Southern California, Graduate Programs” from the list of available institutions on the day you sit for the exam

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) exam or Graduate Record Exam for USC Marshall Master of Business for Veterans is an optional component of the application. The GMAT or GRE exam is highly recommended for those applicants who are unable to demonstrate, either through past academic performance or work experience, sufficient strength in the areas of quantitative and analytical reasoning. After an initial review, the Admissions Committee may request candidates to submit a GMAT or GRE score in order to supplement their application material.

You may take the GMAT or GRE more than once and the Admissions Committee will consider only your highest score. GMAT and GRE scores are valid for five years. The GMAT school code for the USC Marshall EMBA Program is 389-9C-48. Learn more about the GMAT here.

The GRE code for USC is 4852. Learn more about the GRE here.

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.

Program Costs: The approximate overall cost of the program is $72,000. Costs cover the tuition, textbooks, classroom materials, parking, and other mandatory university fees. Lodging is not provided nor calculated in the overall program cost. 

Veteran Benefits

Many students in the USC Marshall MBV program qualify for education benefits through various VA and State programs. Please visit VA Resource Center for details on available programs. 

 Visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Administration web page on education and training benefits.

Visit the California Department of Veterans Affairs web page on education benefits.

Military Experience 
Candidates applying to the MBV program must have served a minimum of three years of honorable active or reserve service and have served in leadership roles in one of the military branches. Former and inactive military should upload a DD-214.

The essay provides the Admissions Committee a deeper understanding of an applicant's past experiences and goals for the future.Required–Describe your professional leadership or managerial experience. Explain the reasons for pursuing the Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) degree and why you have selected this degree over others.

Address your short-term and long-term goals and how the program will help you achieve those goals. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your academic and professional background. (Suggested length: two to three pages, double-spaced, Arial, 10 font.)

Optional - If you choose, include any additional information that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider when evaluating your application. (Suggested length: no more than two pages, double-spaced, Arial, 10 font.)

Two letters of recommendation recommendation are required to be submitted online. Letters of recommendation allow the Admissions Committee to gauge your professional achievements and managerial potential. Your recommenders should provide specific observations and examples of your leadership, teamwork, analytical skills, and general likeability. We prefer at least one recommendation from a direct supervisor. Your second recommendation should be from someone who can comment on your leadership experience and abilities, professional expertise, and the value you have added to your organizations, or former instructors who can describe your ability to perform well in master’s-level courses. Start early to allow ample time for your recommender to complete this important piece of your application.