Application and Admission
Admission to the Ph.D. is granted by the Dean of the USC School of Architecture. However, only a letter from the Office of Graduate Admission constitutes an official offer of admission; correspondence with department chairs or individual faculty members does not constitute admission.
Priority consideration for Ph.D. student funding will be given to those applicants who submit all application materials by December 1. The university will continue to accept and consider applications submitted after December 1. Those who wish to submit applications after the deadline should check with the School of Architecture. Applications for admission to the Ph.D. program are made once each year for fall semester admission.
The admission decision is made using criteria which include verification that the applicant has a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, has maintained a high grade point average in the last 60 units of undergraduate work and has earned a competitive score on the verbal and quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). Other elements of the applicant’s educational and experiential background are also evaluated, including performance in other advanced degrees.
Each applicant should submit the following:
(1) A completed USC Graduate Admission Application, along with the nonrefundable application fee
>> http://www.usc.edu/admission/graduate/apply
(2) One copy of official transcripts of all previous college and university work (be sure that these official transcripts show an awarded degree where appropriate). For International Students: transcripts must be sent in the original language and format, as well as accompanied by an English translation (if necessary). English-only transcripts from institutions in which English is not the primary language will not be accepted.
>> Send to:
University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission
3601 South Flower Street
Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915
*** Please note: Transcripts are mailed to a different address than work samples, essays, and letter of recommendation.
*** To avoid a delay in the processing of your application, you are encouraged to send your transcripts well in advance of the January 02, 2012 deadline. Waiting until the deadline to send transcripts may delay the review of yourapplication.
(3) GRE scores (a competitive applicant will have a cumulative Verbal and Quantitative score of 1000+). Test scores that are more than five years old at the time of application are not acceptable.
>> USC’s institution code is 4852 and the Departmental Code is 4401
(4) TOEFL scores for international students whose first language is not English. A score of 100 on the Internet-based test, with no less than 20 on each of the four test components is required. Please submit a photocopy of scores & electronic submission by ETS.
USC does not accept scores from the IELTS.
>>USC's institution code is 4852 and the Departmental Code is 12.
(5) A 1000-word essay discussing the applicant’s background; reasons for wanting to pursue a doctoral degree; and identifying his or her personal, educational and professional goals >> Upload onto the USC Graduate Admissions Application
(6) An up-to-date resume, including academic and professional accomplishments >> Upload onto the USC Graduate Admissions Application
(7) Three Letters of Recommendation. The School of Architecture does not have a separate form for the recommenders to fill out but there is an optional form found on the USC online application for admission. Recommenders may either submit their letter online or directly to the School of Architecture by paper. >> Upload onto the USC Graduate Admissions Application
(8) Samples of work such as a portfolio, publications, software programs, etc. The program is intended for people with considerable intellectual interests. Please attach Ph.D. Portfolio Cover Page
>> Send to:
USC School of Architecture
Graduate Admissions
Watt Hall 204
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0291
(9) International applicants only: Confidential Statement for Financing Studies at USC. Learn more here: http://www.usc.edu/admission/graduate/international/financialsupport.html
(10) Application fee: the application fee must be paid before an application is processed. Please note that fee waivers are not granted for international applicants.
For more information about Part One, please click here.
Part Two
The following items must be sent directly to the School of Architecture via postal mail, FedEx or DHL:
USC School of Architecture
Graduate Admission
Watt Hall 204
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0291
1. Portfolio
2. Any information submitted in the Part One process as outlined above that you are unable to submit electronically.
3. International applicants: please submit a copy of your passport with your name, date of birth, country of birth, and country of citizenship.
Please DO NOT send any Part Two materials to 3601 South Flower Street, Tyler 1, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0911 as we are unable to receive materials sent to this address directly. All Part Two materials should be directed to the USC School of Architecture at Watt Hall 204. Both FedEx and DHL will be received at this address.
Doctoral Admission with Advanced Standing
Students entering with a Master of Architecture degree or Master of Building Science degree (or their equivalent) from USC or another university may be admitted with Advanced Standing. A minimum of 36 units of course work beyond the first graduate degree, exclusive of 794 Doctoral Dissertation preparation, is required for doctoral degree students with a USC Master of Building Science degree admitted with Advanced Standing. For those students entering with a Master of Architecture degree or Master of Building Science degree (or their equivalent) from another university and admitted with Advanced Standing, a minimum of 40 units of course work beyond the first graduate degree is required. Additional course work may be required if deemed necessary by the student’s faculty.