Education Degree Programs Available at the University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is also featured in our ranking of the Top 10 Online Master’s in Education Degrees.
The University of Southern California offers a variety of degree programs for undergrads who want to become teachers and graduate students who want to further their education. Incoming freshmen can sign up for community engagement projects to give back to the area around the campus and take general education courses before declaring a major. The university offers three minors in education and society, teaching English to speakers of other languages and the dynamics of early childhood. These programs can help students quickly enter one of the university’s graduate programs to get their California teaching licenses.
Students in the university’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs can complete their degrees on the campus or online. The program requires that students do fieldwork that relates to one of the credential areas that are available, which include multiple subjects elementary school teaching and secondary school science teaching. This program includes a concentration in teaching English to speakers of other languages. Students can choose from other online and on-campus education programs at the graduate level, including school counseling, enrollment management and policy, and learning design and technology.
The five graduate programs that students can choose from in education also include some fieldwork. In the organizational change and leadership program, students can do internships in the schools and districts where they currently work as their daily tasks change. The general educational leadership program is available on the University of Southern California campus and online, and both programs include the same courses. There is another program available in urban education policy that looks at the policies used by schools in urban areas. The University of Southern California also offers a global education executive program that accepts students from around the world.
About the University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private university often called USC. Established in 1880, it is the state’s oldest private university and one of its more popular institutions too. It was one of the only schools in California at the time to allow women to study and saw a woman graduate at the top of its first class. Located in Los Angeles, USC is now home to one of the world’s best film schools, which offers opportunities for students to direct films and work with major studies before they graduate.
U.S. News and World Report ranks USC as the 22nd best school in the United States, the 62nd best university in the world and the 15th best American college for education majors. The Princeton Review also added USC to its list of the top dream colleges for students and their parents. Other rankings in which USC appeared include the most diverse student bodies and the most beautiful college campuses. It is one of the top choices for students in California and around the world.
University of Southern California Accreditation Details
All of the education programs available at USC have accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). This is the same accreditation that covers the fieldwork that education majors do as they gain teaching experience. Education majors can also use the regional accreditation that USC holds, which comes from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Not only does this accreditation give them access to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), but it also allows them to transfer credits to USC.
University of Southern California Application Requirements
Less than 20% of those who apply to USC will get an acceptance letter because the university is very selective. Undergrads must use the Common Application and submit the USC writing supplement on the application. They also need to submit writing samples, transcripts, and standardized test scores. USC asks for a letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor and a second letter of recommendation from a high school teacher. Undergrads will also need to provide a mid-year school report and a writing sample. Prospective undergrads can also interview with a university representative on-campus or in another setting.
The application that graduate and doctoral students use becomes live at the beginning of October each year. It has a first deadline of November 1, a second deadline of January 15 and a third of March 15. If the program still has available slots, USC will keep accepting applications up through the end of July. It will accept applications every two weeks until all spots are full. Students need to complete the application and pay their application fees. Though USC makes a test score an optional step of applying, it requires other information, including:
- Official college and/or university transcripts
- Resume
- Personal essays
- Three letters of recommendation
Tuition and Financial Aid
Graduate students spend close to $54,000 to complete their master’s degrees through USC. They spend between $15,000 and $19,000 each semester on their classes and take between eight and 10 credits at a time. Those who need to complete a credential or endorsement program will pay an extra $12,000 to finish those programs. As soon as students submit their applications and the FAFSA, USC will determine if they qualify for scholarships through the Rossier School of Education. These scholarships give students up to $30,000 a year in aid. There is also a scholarship of between $400 and $500 available for any student working on a graduate certificate. Students can get fellowships from the university or government loans too.
Undergrads pay a $450 new student fee during their first semesters and other fees of $939 that are due each semester. Full-time students pay $57,256 each year and take between 12 and 18 credits of classes. Those who live on the USC campus also pay close to $20,000 a year for room and board. USC offers different types of meal plans and rooms that can change a student’s total costs. Financial aid packages give students some help paying these costs. While the university recruits students and gives them talent and athletic scholarships, it offers academic scholarship based on the merit of students each year and other awards based on their overall need. Students can also take out loans and receive grants or work-study in their financial aid packages. The University of Southern California grants financial aid packages to all types of students enrolled in the education degree programs offered by the Rossier School of Education.
