Application Guidelines

 
Application fee is $90.00 (Fee waivers may be available for eligible applicants under extreme extenuating circumstances. Please see Graduate Admission website for more details)

 
In a 2-3 page statement (single or double spaced), please provide the committee with background information and most importantly, the research agenda you wish to undertake in the program, spelling out the field specializations you would declare if admitted, and identifying 2-3 faculty with whom you are interested in working and why you would like to work with them.

 
You should select the best representation of your writing and research capabilities. This should be a 15-30 page scholarly or critical paper that has been evaluated by a faculty or other authoritative group or body such as the editorial board of a journal or a selection committee. The paper should present a clearly articulated thesis, amply supported with creative and original ideas and evidence. The sample should be UPLOADED in the online application. DO NOT SEND HARD COPIES.

 
Applicants should plan to take the GRE General Exam no later than November 15, 2023 to ensure ETS can submit the score before the application deadline.  USC’s ETS test code is 4852.

 
Please see the Graduate Admissions Website for information on Language Proficiency Exam requirements.

 
You must request official transcripts from all institutions attended whether or not you received a degree from that school. This includes study abroad programs, community colleges attended, and all other institutions or educational programs taken after you graduated from high school. Note that your application is not complete until all transcripts are received and will not be reviewed. Please be sure to upload unofficial copies of your transcripts to your online application. Applicants must also submit official transcripts for all institutions attended at to the Graduate Admissions Office as instructed on the Graduate Admissions website.

 
All applicants must submit at least three letters of recommendation. While academic letters are preferred, you may seek professional recommendation letters in the cases where academic letters are not available.