Admission
Take the next step toward your career goals. Learn key information about the USC Rossier admission process and application requirements for the Master of Arts in Teaching online program.
Prerequisites
To apply for this program, you must have a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, from a college or university that is regionally accredited or recognized by a ministry of education. The institution must have been accredited at the time your degree was conferred.
Note regarding felonies and misdemeanors: To obtain a teaching credential, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) requires credential applicants to disclose convictions of a felony or misdemeanor. While a felony or misdemeanor will not necessarily prevent you from being admitted to the program, you may not be eligible to participate in student teaching, which is a requirement of the program.
Note regarding international students: To complete student teaching requirements for the credential, international students must reside in or relocate to a state in which USC Rossier is authorized to operate. You must also obtain a Social Security number (SSN) from the United States Social Security Administration. Contact the Office of International Services for assistance.
Deadlines
The MAT online program has three start dates throughout the year: spring, summer and fall. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but we encourage you to apply early. Early applicants are eligible for an application fee waiver or reduction.
June 2024
Program Start Date: TBD
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Early Action Deadline | February 2, 2024 |
| Priority Submit Deadline* | February 16, 2024 |
| Final Submit Deadline | February 26, 2024 |
*If you have attended any institution outside of the United States, it is strongly recommended that you submit all materials by the priority deadline.
Application Fee waivers
To obtain an application fee waiver, contact your admission counselor. If you apply by the early action deadline, you will be eligible to receive an application fee waiver. If you apply by the priority submit deadline, you will be eligible to have your application fee reduced from $90 to $50.
Application Components
All items must be completed and submitted before the final application deadline, including official transcripts and letters of recommendation.
If you need accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact the Office of Admission and Scholarships at rsoeadm@rossier.usc.edu. We encourage you to submit your request for accommodation at least two weeks before the accommodation is needed so our team can make necessary arrangements.
Online Application
The online application includes questions about your personal, academic and professional background.
Essays
Essay responses will be used to evaluate your personal, professional and educational perspectives and experiences and the ability to effectively communicate ideas and organize written thoughts.
Personal Statement – 500 words or less
Write a personal statement that describes your interest in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program and purpose for becoming a teacher. Share what you believe are important aspects of your personal, family, professional, cultural or academic background that may aid the admission committee in understanding your interest, qualifications and motivation for becoming a teacher.
Short Answer – 250 words or less
Explain how your values align with the mission of the USC Rossier School of Education and the ways you plan to contribute to our academic and professional community.
Optional Essay – 250 words or less
To aid the admission committee in evaluating your application, use this essay to discuss anything in your academic and/or professional history that may require additional explanation. This essay is optional.
Employment Information
You will be asked to provide information about past employment and upload your most current resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
Letters of Recommendation
You are required to submit two letters of recommendation from supervisors, colleagues or former instructors who can speak to the contributions you’ve made in the workplace and your ability to perform in graduate-level courses.
Transcripts
Many schools issue transcripts electronically. If this option is available to you, please specify that your encrypted transcript(s) be sent to applicationservices@rossieronline.usc.edu. This will expedite the delivery of your transcript(s) and the completion of your application.
Sealed, official academic transcripts must be sent directly from all postsecondary institutions you attended, including community college, to:
University of Southern California (USC)
Application Processing Center
USC Rossier
PO Box 30096 024-003
College Station, TX 77842
Please note: To be considered an official transcript, the transcript must be sent directly from your institution(s) or through an electronic transcript vendor retained by that institution. Transcripts submitted by enrolled or prospective students are considered unofficial documents, even if they are in a sealed envelope provided to you by the issuing university.
Application Fee
The USC application fee is $90; however, you are eligible to pay a reduced fee when you apply early.
Additional Requirements for International Applicants
USC Rossier welcomes international applicants. If your prior study was completed outside of the United States, you must have earned the equivalent of a United States bachelor’s degree to be eligible for admission. View the international application requirements based on your country of study.
International students whose native language is not English and who completed their undergraduate work outside of the United States are required to demonstrate proficiency in English as part of the application process. USC does not waive the English proficiency requirement for graduate degree(s) earned in the United States or other qualifying countries; requirements are based on the completion of undergraduate studies. For more information on English Proficiency requirements, English-language test waivers and other alternate accepted exams, please visit the USC Graduate Admission English-Language Proficiency page.
Note: if you have attended any institution outside of the United States, it is strongly recommended that you submit all materials by the priority deadline.
Basic Skills Requirement
You are required to submit official documentation that you have satisfied the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) basic skills requirement by way of an acceptable method.
What is official documentation?
Official transcript showing qualifying courses in reading, writing and mathematics courses at a regionally-accredited college or university.
Upon your passage of the exam, CTC Exams will email you an official score report as a PDF attachment. You may also access a copy of your official scores by signing into your CTC Exams account. In some cases, you may not see the official scores in your account if you took the exam a number of years ago. In that case, reach out to CTC Exams for your official scores. Screenshots and images of your score report are not acceptable.
You may access your official electronic score report by logging into your CollegeBoard account and looking for a download option. Once downloaded, please double check to see whether the report has the word “unofficial” across the top; if so, the report is not acceptable. If you do not see a download option and/or the score report you are able to download is unofficial, the official score report feature is not available and you must either locate your original hard copy report or request a new one directly from CollegeBoard to be mailed to your home address. Once received, you may scan all sides into one PDF document and submit. Official test score reports sent directly to the university may cause a significant delay in processing.
Please scan your hard copy official report (typically red and white in color), all sides, into one PDF. Electronic official score reports may be available to you if you took the exam in recent years. If so, please send the PDF. Screenshots of scores are not acceptable. Official test score reports sent directly to the university may cause a significant delay in processing.
Request an official score report from the vendor of your exam. Score reports that have the word “unofficial” across the top are not acceptable. Official test score reports sent directly to the university may cause a significant delay in processing.
Alternatively, if your passing status appears on your undergraduate transcript, you may use your transcript as official documentation.
Score reports look vastly different depending on the state in which you took the exam; please ensure your report is a PDF file sent directly to you from the vendor of your exam. Screenshots and images are unacceptable.
If you are unsure whether the score report in your possession is official, you may send a message rsoecso@rossier.usc.edu for evaluation.
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.
Review Process
Your application to USC Rossier will be evaluated using a holistic review process. Academic preparation, professional work experience, personal achievement and commitment to the USC Rossier mission are each considered. No single attribute or characteristic guarantees admission to USC Rossier.
We seek applicants who will add to our vibrant learning community and whose goals, values and experiences align with the USC Rossier mission and program goals. We adhere to the university’s non-discrimination policy, and are committed to providing equal opportunity for all students.
As an applicant for this program, you will be automatically considered for limited USC Rossier scholarships. There is no need to submit a separate application. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, demonstrated dedication to the USC Rossier mission and other distinguishing characteristics. All USC Rossier scholarships are awarded at the time of admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Your diploma will read “Master of Art in Teaching”.
No. At USC Rossier, the online and on-campus version of our programs are distinct with separate applications. If you would like to be considered for a program other than the program for which you have been admitted, you will need to reapply to that program.
There is no minimum GPA required to apply to USC Rossier programs, but competitive applicants typically have a GPA of 3.0 or above. However, GPA is one of many elements evaluated in the admission committee’s comprehensive evaluation of candidates. In the application, you may use the optional essay to discuss anything in your academic and/or professional history that may require additional explanation.
If you would like to be considered for a program other than the program for which you have been admitted, you will need to re-apply for the new program. Please read the program requirements thoroughly, as they may be different from those specified for the program to which you were admitted. Your application will not be considered complete until all documents required for your new program are received.
Before applying for any program, it is recommended that you speak with an admission team member for assistance and direction in determining which program is the best fit for you.
Applicants are permitted to apply to up to three USC programs within the same academic year. When completing your online application, select all programs to which you would like to apply. Please read each program’s guidelines carefully, as each program may require different documents or methods of assessment. Application fees are required for each program to which you apply, but you will only need to submit transcripts and test scores (optional for most programs) once.
Working while enrolled in the MAT online program is not recommended. Given the short duration of the program, coursework and student teaching result in a rigorous schedule. However, if a student needs to work while enrolled, it may be possible to have a flexible part time job during the first term.
No, the MAT program does not accept transfer courses.
GRE scores are not required, nor accepted for admission at USC Rossier.
Contact
