Engineering Management

Program Description [back to top]

The USC Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEMT) program is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in engineering or related sciences to prepare them for management responsibilities. As an MSEMT student, you will learn how to lead technology projects as well as manage teams, engineering functions, and companies.  In addition, you will gain an understanding of the economic decision making processes.  More than just theory, the MSEMT program offers real world examples provided by instructors who have years of relevant industry experience, covering topics such as technology creation, management of invention, information systems, managerial accounting, and quantitative methods.  This is also a suitable program to help prospective technical entrepreneurs understand the enterprise creation process. 

Application Criteria [back to top]

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or the equivalent with undergraduate coursework in engineering economy.
  
  
• Cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  
  
• Scores of at least 700 for the quantitative portion and 500 for the verbal portion of the GRE general test.
  
  
• Statement of Purpose
  
  
• Three letters of Recommendation (not required, but highly recommended)
  
  
• International students whose native language is not English must earn a satisfactory score on the TOEFL (600 on the paper-based test; 250 on the computer-based test) or take the on-campus International Student English Examination (ISE) prior to initial registration.
  

DEFICIENCY COURSES

Admitted students who do not meet the coursework requirements will be assigned courses to complete the deficiencies. Undergraduate coursework in engineering economy is a program prerequisite, which can be satisfied after admission by completing ISE 460, if necessary.

Graduation Requirements [back to top]

A minimum of 30 units is required for the M.S. in Engineering Management degree.

• Minimum number of units in the ISE department: 18 units
  
  
• Minimum number of units at the 500 level or above:18 units
  
  
• At least one course from each of the seven areas listed below (under "Course Descriptions"): 21 units
  
  
• Elective courses from specialization tracks: 9 units. Please consult and receive approval from an Industrial and Systems Engineering graduate advisor before enrolling in elective courses. 
  
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation
  

Course Descriptions [back to top]

--Information Systems
--Software Engineering
--Systems Engineering
--Consult with advisor to determine other specialization tracks.

How To Apply [back to top]

In order to evaluate any application for admission, application materials must be submitted by the deadlines listed:

June 15th Fall admission (Domestic)

March 15th Fall admission (International)
September 1st Spring admission
January 15th Summer admission

Please fill out the application and submit the following to the USC Office of Graduate Admission via the online application system by clicking here.

• Statement of Purpose
  • The statement of purpose should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program at the Viterbi School of Engineering, your preparation for this field of study, study interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study.




• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Letters of recommendation should be from faculty or others (supervisors, professional colleagues, etc.) qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study. They should be written on official letterhead.

Please arrange to have the following sent to the USC Office of Admission as a hard copy (USC Graduate Office of Admission, University Park Campus, Los Angeles, CA  90089-0915):

• Official Transcript(s) from all post-secondary schools you have attended, and official translations if they are not in English.
  
  
• General GRE scores (no older than 5 years). Official scores must be sent through ETS to the University of Southern California, ETS code 4852)
  
  
• TOEFL scores (required for international students)

NOTE:  If you meet our minimum qualifications, you can get started BEFORE you are formally admitted to USC, as a "LIMITED" student! Click here for more information.

Contact Information [back to top]

For the USC Engineering Management Department:

Mary Ordaz
Student Services Advisor
Industrial and Systems Engineering, GER 245
Tel: (213) 740-4886
Fax: (213) 740 1120
Email: mordaz@usc.edu

Dr. Stan Settles
IBM Chair in Engineering Management, Director of Systems Architecture and Engineering Program, and Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Epstein Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering
Tel: (213) 740-0263
Email: settles@usc.edu


For the USC Distance Education Network (DEN):


Ray Fujioka
Master's & Professional Programs [MAPP]
Tel: (213) 740-4488
Fax: (213) 821-0851
Email: info@den.usc.edu