Executive MBA Admissions

The following statistics are representative of the USC Marshall Executive MBA Fall 2023 entering class:

Class Size – 60
Average Age – 39
Average Years of Management Experience – 10
Average Years of Work Experience – 14
Women – 23%
Historically Underrepresented Students of Color*– 30%
LGBTQ+ – 10%
U.S. Military – 8%
International – 3%
Foreign Born – 32% (14 different countries)
Advanced Degrees – 33%

Undergraduate Majors

28% with Business degrees
23% with Engineering degrees
15% with Science degrees
15% with Social Science degrees
9% with Humanities degrees
7% with Economics degrees
3% with Other

Industries

15% in Manufacturing/Operations
14% in Healthcare
14% in Technology
12% in Financial Services
8% in Media/Entertainment
7% in Government/Military
5% in Energy
5% in Non-profit
5% in Real Estate
3% in Consulting
3% in CPG
3% in Hospitality
3% in Transportation and Logistics
3% in Other

*Consists of U.S. citizens (as percentage of domestic pool) who identify as one or more of the following groups: African American or Black; Hispanic American or Latinx; American Indian or Alaska Native; or Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

To be considered for the USC Marshall Executive MBA program, candidates must meet the following admissions requirements:
 - Earned a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution
 - A recommended minimum of 4 years of management experience and 8 years of work experience (total, including management experience)

To be considered for admission, candidate must be prepared to submit the following admissions materials:
 - A completed online graduate application
 - Official Academic transcripts
 - One letter of recommendation (must be submitted online)
 - Two required essays (there is also one optional essay)
 - A professional résumé
 - TOEFL or IELTS (if applicable) – This applies to most international applicants. Review the USC policy.
 - Optional: Standardized test scores – GMAT or GRE

Upon review of your completed application and by invitation only, candidates are required to participate in an admission interview online via MS Teams/Zoom or in-person at our main campus in Los Angeles.

Complete your graduate application on the USC online application portal.

Upload your responses to the following Fall 2023 application essay questions on the online application portal:

Essay #1 (Required) – What is your specific, immediate short-term career goal upon completion of your EMBA? (Word limit: 100)

Essay #2 (Required) –Please choose one of the prompts below:
(A) - At Marshall, we take pride in the fact that our students work collaboratively, both inside and outside the classroom, to create a culture, a community, and an environment that truly defines what we call the Trojan Family. Please describe the contributions you expect to make to your classmates during your time at USC. How will they benefit from your presence in the program? (Word limit: 500)
(B) - What does diversity mean to you? (Word limit: 500)

Essay #3 (Optional) – Please provide any additional information that will enhance our understanding of your candidacy for the program. (Word limit: 250)

Transcript submission is a two-step process:

Step #1 – You must upload scanned copies of official transcripts to the online application. Please note that these must be official transcripts printed on university letterhead. Print-outs from online student portals, screenshots, and photographs of transcripts are not acceptable.

Step #2 – After you submit your application and have received your 10 digit USC ID number, you must also submit (by mail, courier, or electronic service) official transcripts from all colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions you have previously attended.

Cover sheet:
We recommend that you fill out the "College/University Transcript Cover Page" and send it to the registrar’s office of each post-secondary institution you have attended. Although it is not mandatory, including it along with your USC ID number will help us match your transcripts to your file as quickly as possible.

E-transcripts:
USC official electronic transcripts from all countries, provided that the transcript originates from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution.

Please instruct the vendor to email the transcript to etrans@usc.edu. Do not send any other materials or correspondence to this email address yourself. Electronic transcripts e-mailed to any other address will not be downloaded, resulting in a delay of your file review and an extra expense to you because the transcript will need to be re-sent.

USC alumni or current students:
If you are a USC degree holder, you must still upload a copy of your official transcript into the online application. However, you do not need to submit USC transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admission. Please be sure to include your USC enrollment in the “Academic Background” section so that we may match your application to the academic records already on file.

Transcripts in original language of issuance:
International students who have earned their degree outside the United States must check our country-specific requirements to determine if we need original-language copies of their academic records. In such cases, a separate, word-for-word, English-language translation of all academic records must also be submitted. The translation should either be issued directly from the school itself or by 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 also acceptable.

Credential evaluation:
Please note that USC does not accept or recognize credential evaluation reports from outside agencies (e.g. WES, ECE, etc.) for the purposes of admission review.

Mailing Instructions:
Official academic records from all post-secondary schools you have attended should be sent to the addresses provided below.

If sending your transcripts via regular mail, please use the following address:

University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission
3601 South Flower Street, Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

If sending your transcripts via courier service, such as DHL or FedEx, please use the following address:

University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission and Financial Aid
3601 South Flower Street, Tyler 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915
Phone: (213) 740-1111

Confidentiality and Document Submission Policy
Transcripts and all other materials submitted for admission consideration become the property of USC. The university does not return or duplicate materials for any reason whatsoever. The information and materials in your submitted application are made available only to the central Office of Admission and the admission committee of the academic department or professional school to which you have applied.

All admissions decisions are made by the Admissions Committee based on unofficial test scores that are uploaded into the online application as follows:

GMAT or GRE Score Report – Test scores are optional. Upload unofficial copies (examinee score report or test-day printout) into your online application. Note: You must either upload your score report into the application or provide the intended future test date in the appropriate field in the application. Failure to do so may result in a deny decision.

TOEFL or IELTS Score Report – All candidates must possess and demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in oral and written English. International applicants (those who are not U.S. citizens or not U.S. permanent residents) whose native language is not English must submit at least one of these test score reports:

§ Valid, official TOEFL or IELTS test scores; or

§ Documentation demonstrating that English was the language of instruction at the institution at which the applicant completed their bachelor’s degree. This documentation can either be:

§ A university transcript that states that the medium of instruction is English (to be uploaded in the transcript section of the USC application); or

§ Another official university document that states that the medium of instruction is English (to be uploaded in the “Optional Documents” section of the “Program Materials” part of the USC application.

TOEFL or IELTS exams must be taken on or after August 1, 2021 to be considered valid. Upload unofficial copies (examinee score report or test-day printout) in the appropriate area below. Important: Please register to have the testing service(s) forward USC the official school test report no later than the deadline for the admissions round within which you are applying. Failure to do so will result in your application being shifted to a subsequent admission round.

Submitting Official Test Scores
All candidates will need to submit official test scores (provided to USC by the testing service). To save time, applicants should, at the time of test registration, have the testing service(s) forward the official, confidential school report using the following institution codes:

GMAT: 389-9C-23
GRE: 4852
TOEFL: 4852
IELTS: Choose “University of Southern California, Graduate Programs.” Do not enter the name and contact information of your specific intended graduate department. USC will only accept electronic IELTS scores. Paper scores are not considered official.

Submit the application fee through your account on the online application portal.

Interviews are conducted after a completed application has been reviewed. Interviews are by invitation only and a requirement of the EMBA application process. USC Marshall offers interviews online via MS Teams or Zoom and in-person at our main campus in Los Angeles.

1. Records of your undergraduate and/or graduate degrees:
When uploading transcripts into your online application or when providing the official transcripts (for all enrolling students) from the college/university, please follow these instructions.

Submit one set of records from each college or university you have attended. The records should indicate the number of lecture and laboratory hours devoted to each course and the grades (marks) you received. Included should be an explanation of the grading system and information about how the transcript should be assessed. Transcripts in a language other than English must be accompanied by an English translation performed by the university or a certified professional translator. You may send a certified copy of the official document instead of the original.

You must also submit an official document showing the title and date of each degree you have earned. For schools in some countries, the transcript indicates this information. In other countries, this information is provided on another document (e.g., graduation certification, diploma). You should upload copies of these documents along with your transcripts in the “Academic History” section of the application.

2. Marshall Policy on English-language proficiency:
International graduate applicants must demonstrate English-language proficiency by submitting either TOEFL or IELTS scores. International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement under one of the following circumstances:

- You hold a bachelor’s degree completed in its entirety in the United States or at an officially recognized non-U.S. university in which English is the language of instruction.

OR

- Your native language is English – This applies to native English speakers from countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada (except Quebec), where English is the only official language of the country.

3. International Degree Verification (for enrolling students only):
The USC Office of Degree Progress requires verification of prior international degrees for all enrolling students from the International Education Research Foundation (IERF). Details about their services, including application forms, fees, and required documents are available at www.ierf.org/usc.

Please contact Degree Progress dprogss@usc.edu, 213.740.7070 if you have any questions, or need more information regarding prior degree verification.

Once admitted, the items below must be complete and submitted before an I-20 can be issued:

• Official academic transcripts
• Official TOEFL/IELTS scores
• Financial guarantee statement
• Copy of your passport

Once an international applicant is admitted, they are encouraged to start utilizing the services offered through the Office of International Services. This office provides orientation programs and continuing support services for international students and their dependents. Specially trained professional counselors and student peer counselors are available to advise you about immigration regulations, academic progress, financial concerns, housing and adjusting to life in the United States. Year-round social and cultural activities are also sponsored through this office. For information, contact (213) 740-2666 or visit https://ois.usc.edu.

Please be aware of and be prepared to complete the following steps as you prepare to leave your country for study in the United States:

U.S. Visa Information
After your admissions to the Marshall MBA Program, the USC Office of Graduate and International Admission will provide the student with either an I-20 or DS-2019 Eligibility Certificate. The I-20 is valid for the F-1 visa. The DS-2019 is valid for the J-1 visa. Make sure that the information provided on the USC Marshall application —name, date of birth, city and country of birth, and country of citizenship — is identical to the information on the passport. The student’s eligibility certificate can be issued only if the information on the passport matches the information provided to USC Marshall.

When the student receives the eligibility certificate from USC, they must apply through a United States embassy or consulate for a visa to enter the United States. The student must register for the semester specified on the certificate. Admitted international students with questions about the student visa process should e-mail uscI20@usc.edu.

Health Insurance and Health Fee Requirements
International students must carry health and accident insurance unless their sponsor provides sufficient health coverage. USC reserves the right to determine whether the amount of insurance the student has is adequate. All USC students on the University Park campus pay a mandatory health fee entitling them to health and counseling services at the University Park Health Center. Students may also purchase medical coverage for family members accompanying them to the United States. For more information, please call the University Park Health Center at (213) 740-5344.

Social Security Number
A Social Security number is a nine-digit number issued by the federal Social Security Administration to citizens and to non-citizens authorized to work in the United States. The primary purpose of this number is to track individuals for taxation purposes; it is not intended to be used for identification.

The only reason an international student would need a Social Security card is to apply for a job. If the student has a job offer, the USC Office of International Services can help them obtain a Social Security number. To open a bank account, international students will be asked to fill out a form attesting that they are exempt, as an international student, from the Social Security number requirement. For more information, click here.

Thanks to the generosity of alumni, corporations and interested individuals, several merit-based scholarships are awarded to USC Marshall students. All applicants are considered for scholarship opportunities; there is no separate application process for scholarships offered to incoming USC Marshall students.

The Admissions Committee bases scholarship award decisions on a range of criteria, including scholastic merit, leadership, work experience and other characteristics that add value to the academic and social atmosphere of USC Marshall.

Additional scholarship information may be found on USC's online scholarship system.

A limited number of merit-based fellowships are awarded to active-duty military students at Marshall. These fellowships are based on a range of criteria including scholastic merit, evidence of leadership, work experience and other personal characteristics. Please contact MBA Admissions marshallmba@marshall.usc.edu for more information about the fellowship program for active-duty military.

Please visit the USC Student Financial Aid website to inquire about Federal Stafford Loans and other loan options. Additional helpful links include:

- USC Student Financial Services
- Federal Stafford Loans
- USC Tuition Payment Plan
- Corporate Tuition Reimbursement
- Sponsor Payments/Agency Billing