USC SCA’s General Admissions Requirements for Graduates (2024)

Prospective USC SCA graduate students must hold a bachelor's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution of higher education before the program start date. You can apply to a maximum of three graduate programs per year. To apply, submit these materials by the program deadline (see "USC Application Deadlines and What to Expect After Applying").
  1. USC Graduate Application: Fill out the online application.
  2. Official Academic Transcripts: Please review USC’s guidelines on transcript submission here.
  3. English Language Proficiency Test Scores: International applicants who do not meet the English Language Test Waiver criteria must provide the following English language proficiency test scores dated no older than 24 months prior to the program start date. To qualify, graduate applicants must earn:
    • A minimum score of 100 on the TOEFL iBT (with a minimum score of 20 in each section); OR
    • A minimum IELTS score of 7; OR
    • A minimum PTE score of 68
  4. Financial Documentation: International applicants must also meet the University's proof of funding requirements available here.
  5. Letters of Recommendation: All applicants must supply letters of recommendation onlyfrom academic and professional sources according to program requirements:
    • Film & Television Production MFA and Writing for Screen & Television MFA: Two letters (one academic) are required.
    • Peter Stark Producing MFA: Rather than letters, recommenders are to complete each section of the “SlideRoom Recommendation Form” including the information about the recommender and the confidential questions about the applicant. Uploaded letters are null. USC SCA also urges applicants to provide letters from diverse sources: Two letters from the same job or internship count as one, and only one academic letter is permitted.
  6. SlideRoom Application: Creative materials must be uploaded to SlideRoom. The SlideRoom Application is available via the "Go to SlideRoom" link in the SlideRoom tab in the Program Materials quadrant of the Graduate Application for Admission.
Note: The GRE or GMAT is not required for admission to USC SCA.

To review additional details and supplemental creative materials for your program, visit: