The University of Southern California

The University of Southern California, founded in 1880, is the oldest major university in the West and a member of the Association of American Universities. Its reputation for excellence in teaching, academic programs and research attracts faculty and students from around the world. Professional programs at USC in particular have earned broad recognition nationally and internationally. The total enrollment, in 21 schools, exceeds 30,000, of whom almost 12,000 are graduate students.

The USC Viterbi School of Engineering is ranked one of the top ten overall graduate engineering schools in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. The School has over 4000 students including over 2300 graduate students pursuing degrees in 19 fields. With over $135 million in externally funded research, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering ranks among the nation’s top engineering research schools. The school also ranks 6th nationally in terms of active members in the National Academy of Engineering. Over 30% of its faculty are fellows in their respective societies. The school’s extraordinary progress has produced a long list of distinguished alumni, including astronaut Neil Armstrong, General Norman Schwarzkopf and Apple Computer co-founder A.C. Markkula. Numerous executives of major U.S. and foreign technology companies - such as Andrew J. Viterbi, co-founder and chief technology officer for QUALCOMM Inc. in San Diego, and Lily Chiang of Hong Kong-based Chen Hsong Holding Co., a multinational producer of specialized machinery - are also alumni.

The School’s off campus distance education network (DEN) program using wireless transmission began 30 years ago. DEN offers more than 30 graduate engineering degrees entirely online, catering to the full-time working engineer.

The Systems Architecture and Engineering program was initiated by Professor Eberhardt Rechtin, who authored two of the founding texts in the field. Two of the ten INCOSE (International Council of Systems Engineering) fellows are on the faculty of USC, as is one of the INCOSE Pioneer Awardees - more than any other university. Six of the active instructors in the SAE curriculum have a combined industrial experience of 190 years. All were senior managers, including 4 vice presidents of major corporations.

For more information on USC's general M.S. in Systems Architecture & Engineering program, click here. For more information on the 30+ engineering graduate degree options offered online, click here or contact studentaffairs@den.usc.edu.