The Progressive Degree Program (PDP) gives continuing USC undergraduates another path to earning a Master’s degree from USC.  Exceptional undergraduate students completing an EE or related major can apply for the Progressive Degree Program.  If admitted, students have the option to start graduate-level classes during their senior year and request a reduction in the units required for the Master’s degree, which allows students to earn the M.S. with one or two additional semesters of study.  The Progressive Degree Program must be completed within six years of a student's first undergraduate college course, whether taken at USC or in transfer.

In the Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Progressive Degree Program is available only for the following degrees: MSEE, MSCENG, MSFINE

MSEE Requirements - 19 units (5 courses of at least 2 units or more)

Five 500 level advisor approved courses in EE and of at least two units (no 1 unit courses) and an option one course maximum from CSCI to equal at least 19 units. 

MSCENG Requirements - 19 units (5 courses of at least 2 units or more)

Five 500 level advisor approved courses in EE of at least two units (no 1 unit courses) and an option of one CSCI course (not on the CENG list) to equal at least 19 units. In addition, at least one course from two computer engineering areas is required: Computer Architecture, Networks, and/or VLSI/CAD.

MSFINE Requirements - 24 units min. - 7 courses + DR

Required course work:
EE 503, EE 518, EE 512, GSBA 548, ISE 563 or FBE 559 and EE 590 (with Prof. Ioannou)

One course from:
Finance, Business, Economics Area and

One course from:
Optimization, Simulation, Stochastic Systems

*Students coming from a non-BSECE program should have EE 364 (or equivalent) as a pre-requisite.

Information about the Progressive Degree Program and application instructions can be found on the USC Viterbi School of Engineering's website:

• PDP Main Page
• PDP Program Information
• PDP Application

Interested students should review the above mentioned materials in detail and make an appointment with their departmental Academic Advisor to discuss their eligibility, the application process, and the required course plan.