MS Social Entrepreneurship (MSSE) 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.

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.

Transcript requirements are set forth by USC Office of Graduate Admission. Please view their website for detailed guidelines.

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 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.

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.

The MS in Social Entrepreneurship program boasts a large enrollment of international students. We’ve developed the below to help answer some frequently asked questions.

Admissions & Eligibility
Who is considered an international applicant?
All applicants that 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

When is the application deadline for international students?
The final deadline for international students may be a bit earlier than for U.S. citizens. This is to ensure time for visa processing. Review the Dates and Deadlines above for all updated deadlines.

What is the language requirement?
Review the Test Scores section for complete information.

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.

What are the minimum scores for the TOEFL and IELTS?
Review the Test Scores section for complete information.

I have a 3-year Bachelor's degree, can I apply?
Country specific requirements are listed here

What are the transcript requirements for International Institutions?
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.

Please also review the Transcript section and be sure to submit all required documents as part of your initial application via the online portal. Transcripts regularly take up to 8 weeks to process. Requests for transcripts missing from the original application submitted can add significant processing time.

Does USC accept WES evaluated transcripts?
USC does NOT accept WES evaluated transcripts. If admitted, you will be required to submit your bachelor’s degree information to IERF for degree verification. Detailed information is available at www.ierf.org/usc

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 dprogss@usc.edu, 213.740.7070 if you have any questions, or need more information regarding prior degree verification.

Does USC provide answers to other Frequent Asked Questions about admissions for an International Student?
The Graduate Admissions Office website is an amazing resource for international applicants and students to help address frequently asked questions and concerns. Visit their FAQ page for international students!

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.

Financing Your Degree

For financial documentation, how much money do I need to have?
The cost of attendance at USC changes from year to year. The amount required for financial documentation is the estimated cost of living and studying in Los Angeles for one year, not the cost of tuition for the entire program.

Please carefully review the International Students only: Financial documentation and Passport section for details.


What if I need help paying for school? Are there scholarships?
The USC Marshall School of Business offers a limited number of partial tuition scholarships for students. These awards are highly competitive and are determined at the time of admission.

U.S. citizens and international students are eligible. Applicants are encouraged to apply early for priority scholarship consideration. Please review our Program Cost and Scholarship section for more details.

Many of our students pay for their degrees using savings or loans. For more information on financial aid that is specific to international students, please see USC's Financial Aid Website.

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:
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 month in which you submit your application to 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

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.

MSSE program is a 30-unit program of Business Graduate (500 level and above) Coursework.

Note that all USC students are required to carry health insurance and pay for university and program fees beyond tuition. Living expenses vary based on the type of housing and lifestyle of the student. If you would like to calculate your estimated cost of attendance, please visit the USC Financial Aid website.

Note: Please read the instructions carefully and calculate the cost based on the credits you are required to take for the program.

Admitted Students Deposit
A nonrefundable $500 deposit secures the student's space in the class. Once enrolled, the $500 deposit will be credited as payment to your summer tuition and fees.

Please note, once you have paid your deposit, you will not be granted a refund. Payment of your deposit secures your seat in the program and is non-refundable.

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.
The Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship Program offers a limited number of partial tuition scholarships to qualified students, both U.S. citizens and international. Scholarship consideration is made during the application cycle. No separate application is needed. Applicants are encouraged to apply early for priority scholarship consideration.

Financial Aid

Please visit USC Financial Aid and click on “Graduates & Professionals” to find information U.S. citizens and international students.

On-campus Employment
There are also on-campus employment opportunities that students can consider. USC provides numerousemployment opportunities to students.

Essay question: How will this degree help you achieve your professional goals? Please describe your short term (next 3-5 years) and long term (10 years) professional goals. This could be your ideal position in an already existing organization or an entrepreneurial venture.*

Upload a Word document or PDF of your personal statement essay. Essays should be a maximum of 300 words.

Information will be sent to you via email after the submission of the online application. You will be asked to complete the online interview within one week of submitting the online application.

Submit a Professional Resume.

Letters of recommendation are used as a gauge of your professional achievements and managerial potential. We prefer your letter of recommendation be provided by a professor or direct supervisor.

Letters should describe specific observations and examples of your leadership, teamwork, analytical skills, and personal qualities that make you a great candidate for the MSSE program.

One letter of recommendation is required.

Letters of recommendation can only be accepted through the application system.For your application to be complete, your recommender must submit their letter by the application deadline

Tips for Success:
When you enter your recommender’s information in the system, you must select the date by which you request the recommendation be completed. Be sure to select a date which is prior to the application deadline.

Request your recommendation letters as soon as you start the online application to allow sufficient time for your recommenders to submit them on your behalf.

For more information on Recommendations and troubleshooting please visit the Application Portal Help Center.

There is no requirement for years of work experience prior to matriculating. Whether you have just completed your undergraduate studies or you have been in the work force for a number of years, you will find the courses valuable and challenging. Our only request? That you are driven to change the world!

Is the MSSE Program 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.

The Progressive Degree Program (PDP) enables superior USC undergraduate students to apply undergraduate coursework toward the completion of a USC master’s degree. Pursuing a progressive degree can deepen your education and further prepare you for future career in as little as one additional year. Find more information about the PDP as well as the eligibility requirements and application here. Applicants who want to apply to the PDP for the MSSE program should emailsocialentrepreneur@marshall.usc.edu.