A graduate applicant must hold a bachelor's degree (or have a bachelor's degree conferred before the start of the intended first term at USC) from a regionally accredited institution in order to be considered for admission. Applicants who studied overseas should review USC's country-specific requirements for more information about degree equivalency.

Please carefully review and follow the application instructions for graduate admission on the Office of Graduate Admission's website.

Important note: Depending on your choice of degree program within USC Games, you will follow the application instructions for either the School of Cinematic Arts or the Viterbi School of Engineering. Please take note of the different application deadlines below.

Deadlines

In order to be considered for admission, all required applications and materials must be submitted by the deadline. Late applications will not be considered. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all materials are submitted. USC Games cannot verify receipt of any application materials. Applicants may check their USC Applicant Portal and SlideRoom Application portal for the status of materials.

Application Deadline for School of Cinematic Arts degrees: November 15th

The School of Cinematic Arts looks forward to receiving your application for admission. The Admissions Office is available to assist you during the application process and can be reached at 213-740-8358 or admissions@cinema.usc.edu with any questions.

Application Deadline for Viterbi School of Engineering degree: December 15th

Apply

All graduate applicants must complete the USC Graduate Application for Admission. Please note that the USC Graduate Application must be submitted by the deadline in order to be considered for admission.

Applicants to the Viterbi School of Engineering’s Computer Science (Game Development) Master of Science are required to submit a Resume and a Personal Statement via the USC Graduate Application.

Applicants to the School of Cinematic Arts programs (Cinematic Arts (Media Arts, Games & Health), Interactive Media, and Game Design and Development) are required to submit supplemental materials via the SlideRoom Application, including two letters of recommendation. Please be sure to submit the correct SlideRoom Application for the program you intend to apply for.

SlideRoom Application Instructions by Program:

• Cinematic Arts (Media Arts, Games & Health) Master of Arts

• Interactive Media Master of Fine Arts

• Game Design and Development Master of Science

For questions regarding the School of Cinematic Arts degrees, our Admissions Office can be reached at 213-740-8358 or admissions@cinema.usc.edu with any questions.

International Applicants are required to submit financial documentation in order to be admitted to USC. Please review financial documentation guidelines and instructions here. Please carefully review English Proficiency requirements for international application here.

International Applicants are required to submit English Proficiency Scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PET) in order to be admitted to USC. Please carefully review English Proficiency requirements for international application here. Official scores must be received directly from the testing service and dated no earlier than 2 years (24 months) prior to the start of your intended first term at USC. Duolingo English Test scores are not accepted for graduate applicants. USC is unable to accept TOEFL ITP Plus for China at this time.