The University of Southern California Finance and Accounting Degree Offerings
The University of Southern California appears in our ranking of the 25 Great Master of Financial Engineering Programs.
The Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California (USC) offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the fields of business administration, finance, and accounting. The school emphasizes global understanding and provides students opportunities to engage with international businesses and organizations. Because of its location in the metropolitan area of Los Angeles, Marshall offers students a diverse and dynamic environment where they will be challenged to expand their perspectives and critical thinking skills. Students have the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary studies due to the range of top-tier research and academic programs at USC.
USC offers an undergraduate accounting degree through the Leventhal School of Accounting, one branch of the Marshall School of Business. The program is open to business majors who are admitted to the Marshall School. Candidates will complete an introductory course in accounting before beginning the full accounting course-load. USC also offers an accounting minor that may be undertaken by students majoring in non-business fields. The accounting undergraduate program seeks to prepare students for entry-level accounting positions by focusing on five areas of development: technical knowledge, research and analytical skills, ethical decision making, communication, and collaborative professional environment. Graduates of the program are prepared to begin work in a corporate, government, or non-profit organization or to study for a master’s degree in accounting.
Graduate accounting degrees offered by the Marshall School of Business include Master of Accounting, Master of Accounting with Emphasis in Data and Analytics, Master of Business Taxation, and Master of Business Taxation for Working Professionals. Each of these programs may be completed full-time in one year. The different curriculums offer specialized preparation for candidates who are interested in working for a specific type of organization. The general Master of Accounting degree provides a sampling of accounting preparation from various fields and is ideal for students who are still exploring whether they want to work in a corporate, government or non-profit organization.
Marshall School of Business also offers a Ph.D. program in the field of Finance and Business Economics. Students may take advantage of the cutting-edge research programs available at USC to tailor the degree to their specific area of interest. This doctoral degree prepares graduates to teach at the university level in the United States and other countries. The program is tailored for professionals who have years of experience in their field.
About the University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private research university located in Los Angeles. It was founded in 1880, making it the oldest private research university in the state. USC takes advantage of its location to establish strong partnerships with institutions in Asia and the Pacific Rim. These relationships provide students with global opportunities to study abroad and participate in international business and research roles. USC has a thriving student population with an undergraduate enrollment of almost 20,000 students. Many USC graduates are well-known entrepreneurs, policymakers, and leaders of large corporations or non-profit organizations. Famous alumni include Clint Eastwood, Forest Whitaker, and Neil Armstrong. The university has continued to expand its online learning campus, which provides dozens of graduate and undergraduate degrees to distance learners and adult students who require greater flexibility in accessing classes.
The University of Southern California Accreditation Details
The University of Southern California is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). WASC is recognized by the United States Department of Education as an accrediting organization. USC first gained accreditation in 1949 and most recently reaffirmed this status in 2015. The university is next scheduled for reaffirmation in 2025.
The Marshall School of Business at USC is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB). Accredited degrees include accounting and finance bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
The University of Southern California Application Requirements
Undergraduate applicants to the accounting major at the Leventhal School of Accounting must first apply to USC. Candidates should submit official transcripts from any high school or college attended, SAT or ACT scores, and a school report which lists the name and contact information of an academic reference. Grades from a student’s first semester at USC must be submitted to the Marshall School of Business once they become available. International students are required to submit a financial statement of support and a TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score if their first language is not English. Students who apply by the earliest deadline will be considered for an accounting scholarship based on their academic performance. Once students are accepted to the Marshall School of Business, they may meet with an advisor to organize their admission into the Leventhal School of Accounting.
Admission to graduate programs within the Marshall School of Business requires the completion of certain prerequisite coursework. Students with undergraduate degrees in accounting or finance may have already completed these requirements. In the application process, students must submit an online application, proof of prerequisite completion, official transcripts from any college or university attended, GMAT scores, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation from academic or professional references, a current resume, and a $90 application fee. The fee is waived for current and former USC students.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The cost for one year of undergraduate study at USC is $74,825. This includes tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, personal expenses, and transportation. Undergraduate scholarships are available through the Leventhal School of Accounting. Each scholarship is funded by an outside donor and has various qualifications for eligibility. Examples of eligibility criteria include financial aid, service experience, and academic achievement. Academic criteria for the scholarships require candidates to be a declared accounting major, be enrolled in at least 12 credit-hours at USC, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and be attending USC for the full academic year of the scholarship.
Graduate tuition and fees for the Master of Accounting programs at USC are $55,204. This includes the cost for the entire one-year program. The Leventhal School of Accounting offers graduate scholarships, and students may need to submit an additional essay to be considered for these.
For more information about any of these programs, please visit the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business website.
