University of Southern California -Viterbi School of Engineering
Master of Science in Computer Science
Los Angeles, USA
MSc
DURATION
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus, Distance Learning
Key Summary
About: The Master of Science in Computer Science at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles provides preparation in design, programming, and application of computing systems. The on-campus and equivalent online DEN@Viterbi delivery requires 32 units; the thesis option adds 4 units. The programme offers a broad course spectrum and is eligible for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM extension for international students.
Career Outcomes: Graduates report placements with Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta and NVIDIA; average salary $129,757. It lists 441 internships (2025); data from a voluntary survey. Common roles include: software engineer, data scientist, AI/ML engineer, systems engineer, with opportunities across aerospace, entertainment, gaming, and biomedicine.
The MS in Computer Science provides intensive preparation in the concepts and techniques related to the design, programming, and application of computing systems. The program requires completion of 32 units of coursework; the thesis option adds four units. Students take a broad spectrum of courses while also being able to emphasize desired specialization areas. The program is eligible for the OPT STEM extension for international students. The degree is offered on-campus through USC Viterbi and is also available online through DEN@Viterbi; the online program is fully equivalent and awards the same degree as the on-campus program.
Why choose this program?
Provides intensive preparation in design, programming, and application of computing systems; offers a broad spectrum of courses plus ability to emphasize specialization areas; thesis option available; eligible for OPT STEM extension for international students; available on-campus and online via DEN@Viterbi (online degree is fully equivalent).
The MSCS requires 32 units of coursework. The thesis option adds four units. For DEN@Viterbi (online) students: core requirement — 1 course required (CSCI 570, 4 units); 28 units of additional coursework required (additional 500-level CSCI courses to reach total). Notes from page: a maximum of 2 units of CSCI 590 and a maximum of 2 units of CSCI 591 may be applied; up to four units may be 400-level; up to eight units may be 600-level (600-level requires faculty instructor and department adviser approval). With adviser approval, one non-Computer Science course may be selected from the approved list. Detailed curriculum and requirements are available in the USC Catalogue and the DEN@Viterbi online course offerings.
Top employers (2025 First Destinations Survey) include Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, and NVIDIA. Average reported salary for alumni listed: $129,757. The page lists numerous employer placements and internship hosts and reports a total of 441 internships (2025) and additional internship data for 2023. *Information is based on a voluntary survey and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive view of the graduating class.*