Admission Criteria

The Graduate School at USC requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 averaged across all college courses. Most who are admitted to the MHB^® program shortly after graduating will have an overall GPA that is substantially higher than this, but we will not automatically reject an applicant who can document superior levels of academic ability and potential for professional success.

The Graduate School sets a minimum standard for performance on the GRE exam. 

For tests that were taken before August 1, 2011, the minimum is 1000 (combining the verbal and quantitative scores). GRE test scores from as far back as five years are acceptable. Although the Graduate School accepts a minimum GRE of 1000, the MHB Admissions Committee generally wants to see a combined GRE test score of 1100 or greater (540 verbal, 560 quantitative). Aside from GRE scores, other factors are considered, e.g., work experience, so those who are somewhat under those values will not be automatically rejected.  Scores from the Analytic or Advanced Subject sections of the GRE test are not required.

For tests taken on or after August 1, 2011 the GRE scoring has been modified.  The Graduate School has now set minimum standards for verbal and quantitative scores, which is 150 -- therefore total scores must be above 300.  As noted above, most of those admitted to the MHB program will likely have scores well above these levels.

Although there is no required major for admission to the MHB program, most of those who are admitted will have completed substantial coursework in the social sciences, and success in the program will require a working understanding of major concepts derived from the study of human behavior. Those who have insufficient relevant background may be considered for admission, subject to satisfactory completion of preparatory coursework. That background work must be completed before the student can be admitted to a graduate course where the background is essential. If approved, the preparatory course(s) may be taken at a college or university other than USC.

Applicants who have less than two years of job-related experience in a program-related field must begin the program in the Fall semester, and should apply before March 1, as described in the Application section. Applicants who submit late applications may be considered depending on the quality of the submission and the decisions of the Admissions Committee during that time. Also, applicants with less than two years of full-time work experience are required to take specific courses that help prepare them for a career.

Those with two or more years of full-time work experience that is related to the professional fields for which we train can be admitted in either the Fall or Spring semesters. When in doubt, contact us to ask if your experience qualifies as two or more years of full-time work experience. The number of continuing students enrolled in a given course may limit whether it is available to someone who wants to enter in the Spring.  If all courses are at capacity, this may preclude an option for admission. Those applying for admission in the Spring semester must submit a completed application by December 1, 2012

The program is open to those graduating in countries other than the United States. However, those admitted to the program must be fluent in English. The MHB Admissions Committee bases its judgment of these skills on the written portion of the GRE exam, and on personal interviews. The University will require TOEFL scores for applicants from a number of countries where English is not the native language. The Graduate International Admissions Office (GIA) determines what level of performance is satisfactory for admission to the University, and that office should be consulted for any information about this requirement. We have been told that receiving an undergraduate or graduate degree from an English-speaking college or university eliminates any requirement for a TOEFL test score. If you think this might waive the requirement for you, please check with GIA to get confirmation that the requirement would be waived.