System Safety and Security - A Degree in Homeland Security

Program Description [back to top]

The USC Master of Science in System Safety and Security (MSSYSS) program is designed to train leaders in industry and government to develop and evaluate systems that protect against natural disasters, accidents, and attacks by terrorists or criminals, and to identify the most economically effective means to improve the nation’s security. As a program participant, you will choose an area of concentration from either Systems or Cyber Security to complete the MSSYSS degree. Both the Master of Science and Graduate Certificate are interdisciplinary, combining courses from the USC School of Policy, Planning and Development and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering.

The program is aligned with the research agenda of the Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE), funded by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The MSSYSS program is designed to serve the educational needs of DHS and other federal, state and local agencies, as well as contractors serving government agencies.

Admission Requirements [back to top]

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or equivalent from a regionally-accredited institution with undergraduate course work in engineering economy (ISE 460 - Engineering Economy or its equivalent) and statistics (MATH 408 - Mathematical Statistics or its equivalent)
  
  
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
  
  
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores of at least 650 on the quantitative portion and 500 on the verbal portion
  
  
• 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.

Admitted students who do not meet the course work requirements will be assigned courses to complete the deficiencies.

Graduation Requirements [back to top]

A minimum of 29 units is required for the M.S. in System Safety and Security degree.

• Required Core Courses: 17 units
  
  
• Elective Course: 3 units
  
  
• A minimum of 18 units must be at the 500 level or above
  
  
• DEN students can choose from two specialization tracks: Cyber Security or Systems. A minimum of 3 courses (9 units) must be taken from the selected track. 
  
  
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required for graduation
  
  
  

Course Descriptions [back to top]

Specialization Tracks [back to top]

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 M.S. in System Safety & Security degree:

Mary Ordaz
Student Services Advisor
Industrial and Systems Engineering GER 247
Tel: (213) 740 4886
Fax: (213) 740 1120
Email: mordaz@usc.edu

For the USC Distance Education Network (DEN):

Loretta Tucker
Student Services Advisor
USC Viterbi School of Engineering Distance Education Network (DEN)
Tel: (213) 740-0123
Fax: (213) 821-0851
Email: info@den.usc.edu