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Admissions - Online MBA

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USC Marshall, one of the nation’s premier business schools, offers an online MBA specifically designed for working-professionals who desire a flexible, rigorous and uncompromising program. In accordance with the program’s high standards, admissions requirements are equally stringent for Marshall’s online and residential programs. 

 

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Online MBA Admissions Requirements

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

  • Submit a standardized test score from the GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment (if eligible) exams or receive approval for a standardized test waiver

The curriculum of USC Marshall’s Online MBA program emphasizes the use of quantitative skills to analyze and solve business issues faced by organization leaders. Standardized test scores have proven to be helpful in assessing whether students are prepared for the rigorous study of an MBA, particularly the quantitative and analytic components of the program. 

Steps to Apply

1. Complete and submit your Graduate Admission Application.

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. 

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2. Submit your supplemental application items.

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.

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3. Submit an unofficial and official transcript.

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. 

  1. 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. 
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4. Submit the $155 application fee.

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

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5. Attend your admissions interview.

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. 

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Admissions Deadlines

Students have two opportunities to start Marshall’s Online MBA program — fall and spring.* Our fall cohort begins in August and our Spring cohort begins in December. 

Spring 2023 

Review Round

Submission Deadline

Notified By                                              
Application Review Round 1  August 3 September 9
Application Review Round 2, Scholarship Deadline  September 7 October 14
Application Review Round 3 October 14 November 22
Application Review Round 4

If space permits, we will accept applications on a first-come, first-served basis until November 4, 2022.

  
Classes Start  TBD
We are currently unable to accept applications from Puerto Rico.

 

 

Connect With USC Marshall School of Business:

Email: onlinemba@marshall.usc.edu
Phone:(213) 821-6800

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Recognized and Acclaimed

The Online MBA holds a top-5 ranking from U.S. News & World Report, earned a Top-3 ranking from Poets & Quants for best online MBA program and reached top-5 in both the World University Rankings of global online MBA programs from QS and the list of Top Online MBA programs from The Princeton Review. The program's curriculum designers have been honored by the Online Learning Consortium and its video content has earned two Telly Awards. USC Marshall is accredited by AACSB, a longstanding quality benchmark for business schools.

US News Poets & Quants
The Princeton Review AACSB