Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

About the Program

+ How long does the MHB program take to finish?
+ What fields does the MHB Program prepare for?
+ What are the admission rates for the program?
+ Where are the MHB graduates now?
+ Are applications accepted only for the fall semster?

The GRE:

+ Am I required to provide GRE test results to be considered for admission?
+ Will GRE scores be required if I have been working as a professional for a number of years?
+ What if my GRE scores will not be available to me before the March 1st deadline?
+ Can I submit GMAT scores instead of GRE scores?

Graduate Admission Application:

+ What is the Graduate Admission Application?
+ Do my recommenders need to fill out the online Recommender Form?
+ Do I need to fill out the sections of the online application asking about researchers I would like to work with?

International Students:

+ I am an International Student. Is there anything else I need to do?
+ What is the minimum TOEFL score to qualify for admission?

Not in the FAQ? Contact us directly at jellison@usc.edu

Q. How long does the MHB program take to finish?

          A. The MHB Program takes one year to finish (two semesters and summer) if the student plans to enroll full-time. Some students take 18 months to finish.

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Q. What fields does the MHB Program prepare for?

          A. The MHB degree targets occupations associated with consumer psychology (marketing; market research,advertising; and communcations) and organizational psychology (organizational development/human resources; employee relations; and customer service)

              Graduates of the program have found employment in a variety of fields (e.g. health care; social media; entertainment).

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Q. What are the admission rates for the program?

          A. Last year approximately 50% of applicants were accepted and 75% of those students matriculated.

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Q. Where are the MHB graduates now?

          A. Details on the initial placement status of graduates for the graduation class of 2011 is now available.

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Q: Am I required to provide GRE test results to be considered for admission? 

          A: Yes.  This is true irrespective of your ethnicity, religion, country of birth, schools attended, or degrees earned.  Only the Quantitative and Verbal test scores are required.  Note that initial application materials require only your unofficial report of score values.

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Q: Will GRE scores be required if I have been working as a professional for a number of years?  

          A: Yes.

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Q: What if my GRE scores will not be available to me before the February 15th deadline?

          A: You can send us unofficial scores (your scores displayed on the test screen for the Computer-based Test) and have your official GRE scores arrive later. However, decisions on admission will begin on Februaru 16tj, and there is a strong likelihood that the available seats will be filled within a few weeks after that deadline.

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Q: Can I submit GMAT scores instead of GRE scores?   

          A: No.

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Q: Do my recommenders need to fill out the online Recommender Form? Can they attach a separate letter of recommendation?

          A:  Letters can ONLY be submitted through the graduate school electronic system.  DO NOT have them send a letter as an attachment to an email or DO NOT have them send a hard copy to the program. This policy statement is new this year and it will be strictly adhered tro.

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Q. What is the Graduate Admission Application?

          A: The first step for any MHB applicant is the Graduate Admission Application via the ApplyOnline portal. It can be found here.

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Q. Do I need to fill out the sections of the online application asking about researchers I would like to work with?

          A: No.  You are not required to fill in this field.

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ZQ: I am an International Student. Is there anything else I need to do?

          A: Please make sure that you have met the requirements of the Graduate School Admissions Office regarding financial support, the TOEFL and healthcare information.

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Q. What is the minimum TOEFL score to qualify for admission?

          A: The minimum TOEFL score for newly admitted Graduate students is 100, with no individual score less than 20 for each section of the test. For more information on this requirement, click here.

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Fall semester admissitons:

+ Can I apply for spring semester admission?

       A:  NO.  Applications are only accepted for admission in the fall semester.

Not in the FAQ? Contact us directly at jellison@usc.edu

Q. How long does the MHB program take to finish?

          A. The MHB Program takes one year to finish (two semesters and summer) if the student plans to enroll full-time. Some students take 18 months to finish.