USC International Academy
  • Pre-Master’s Program
  • Pre-Master’s Admissions

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General images of University Park Campus, July9, 2019. (Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Gain admission to one of USC’s highly selective master’s programs while improving your language proficiency, academic skills, test scores and potential for success.

Apply for Pre-Master’s Program

This program is for outstanding international students who want to pursue graduate studies at USC, but do not have TOEFL iBT/IELTS Academic/PTE Academic/Cambridge English or GRE/GMAT scores required for direct admission to USC.

What Are the Minimum Entry Requirements?

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Cumulative 3.0 GPA
  • High-intermediate English level
Students line up for a table assignment at the start of the involvement fair, Aug. 22, 2023. (Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Admission requirements vary depending on the master’s degree you are interested in pursuing. See the list of participating USC master’s programs for information on each program’s minimum TOEFL iBT/IELTS Academic/PTE Academic/Cambridge English and GPA requirement for Pre-Master’s students.

Explore Master’s Programs

In order to qualify for admission, Pre-Master’s applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree that is recognized by their home country’s ministry of education and is equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree.

A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 U.S. grading scale is also required, though some master’s programs require a higher cumulative GPA.

To check if you are an academically viable candidate for admission, please carefully review the website of your master’s program of interest.

Students with the following scores are welcome to apply:

  • TOEFL iBT score of 61
  • IELTS Academic score of 5.5
  • PTE Academic score of 44
  • Cambridge English score of 162

Your offer letter from USC International Academy will provide details about your Pre-Master’s study plan based on your required duration of study and degree program’s start date.

Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to any USC degree program.

  • Each semester is 14-15 weeks long (approximately four months) and takes place in the fall, spring or summer. View the calendar for more information.

    2025
    Fall Semester: September 4, 2025 – December 10, 2025

    2026
    Spring Semester: January 8, 2026 – April 21, 2026
    Summer Semester: April 30, 2026 – August 5, 2026
    Fall Semester: September 3, 2026 – December 9, 2026

  • Fall 2025 Application Deadline:
    Round 1: June 13, 2025
    Round 2: July 3, 2025

    Spring 2026 Application Deadline:
    Round 1: October 17, 2025
    Round 2: October 31, 2025

    Summer 2026 Application Deadline:
    Round 1: February 13, 2026
    Round 2: March 6, 2026

    Fall 2026 Application Deadline:
    Round 1: June 12, 2026
    Round 2: July 3, 2026

    Priority consideration will be given to students who apply by the Round 1 deadline. Students are advised to apply as early as possible.

  • 2025 and 2026
    Program Fee: $13,500 (USD)
    University Service Fee: $950 (USD)

    The required university service fee covers the cost of textbooks and materials, health insurance, access to campus facilities (medical center, gym, computer labs and more), airport shuttle transportation and issuance of immigration documents.

  • To begin the process, please go to USC’s online application system and create an account. When applying, type “International Academy” in the search field and select the appropriate term.

  • Please assemble the following documents:

    • Official transcripts
    • Financial statement
    • Copy of your passport page
    • Copy of your TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic or Cambridge English score
    • Copy of your bachelor’s degree diploma (if you have already graduated)
    • CV (if applicable)
    • Statement of Purpose

  • The total application processing fee is $195 (USD) and is non-refundable. The fee is paid online when you submit your application.

  • Application processing takes on average six to eight weeks after we receive your completed application. If your admission to the Pre-Master’s Program is approved, you will receive notification by email that includes an acceptance letter from the USC International Academy. The letter will include details about your study plan, including your start date options.

    To secure your space in the Pre-Master’s Program, you must confirm your intent to enroll online and pay the $2,500 tuition deposit within 30 days of receiving your admission decision. After you confirm your enrollment and pay the deposit, we will email you a welcome packet that includes the Form I-20.

All supporting documents should be uploaded to the “Supporting Documents” section of the online application system. If you are experiencing problems uploading documents, please email us for further instructions at info-international@usc.edu.

  • You must submit academic transcripts from all colleges, universities and post-secondary institutions you have previously attended. If you have not yet completed your bachelor’s degree, submit transcripts showing completion of at least six semesters of coursework.

    Official transcripts must show all courses, subjects taken and grades (marks) received. Transcripts must be submitted in a sealed envelope.

    IMPORTANT: If the language of instruction at your institution was not English, then you must provide:

    • Original-language copies of all transcripts and diplomas/academic certificates.
    • A separate, word-for-word, English-language translation of all academic records you submit. The translation should either come directly from the school itself or from a professional, certified translator. It must contain all information shown on the original-language documents and “mirror” them as precisely as possible. Dual-language transcripts are acceptable.
    • If admitted, please bring hard-copies of your official transcripts with you to USC International Academy. For more details on preparing for your arrival, please visit our Before You Arrive page.

  • The United States government requires all international applicants to provide proof of ability to pay tuition and living expenses before a formal letter of admission or the forms needed for obtaining a visa can be issued.

    Your financial statement must show a minimum available balance of:

    • One semester (around four months): $23,194 USD
    • Two semesters (around eight months): $46,388 USD
    • Three semesters (around 12 months): $69,578 USD

    This amount would be enough for all of your educational and living expenses.

    One of the following is required for your financial statement:

    • A current personal bank statement or letter from your bank
    • A bank statement from your parent, guardian, employer or sponsor and a current letter of support
    • A scholarship letter from your government or sponsoring organization

    Please note that the name on these documents must be written in English.

  • Please enter your TOEFL iBT/IELTS Academic/PTE Academic or Cambridge English scores directly to the online application system. English-proficiency scores must be dated within two years (24 months) of the date you submit your graduate application. Your scores need to be officially reported to USC by the program application deadline.

    The following test scores are accepted:

    • TOEFL iBT Test
    • IELTS Academic
    • PTE Academic
    • Cambridge English