The School of Cinematic Arts looks forward to receiving your application for admission. The Admissions Office is available to assist you during the application process and can be reached at 213-740-8358 or admissions@cinema.usc.edu with any questions.
The application process and requirements vary by incoming status and program. Please review the procedures detailed below for first-year/freshmen, external (non-current USC) transfers, current USC transfers or graduate applicants.
Application Open Dates & Deadlines
Application Open Dates
-
Fall semester:
- Undergraduate (first-year/freshmen and transfer) applications: August 1st
- Graduate applications: August 26th
-
Spring semester:
- Current USC transfer applications: June 20th
- Graduate Film & Television Production MFA application only: June 24th
Application Deadlines
Animation & Digital Arts
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Freshmen (First-year) Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
| Current USC Transfer Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
| External Transfer Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
| Graduate Applicants | November 15th | Not available |
Cinema & Media Studies
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Freshmen (First-year) Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
| Current USC Transfer Applicants | February 15th | September 15th |
| External Transfer Applicants | February 15th | Not available |
| Graduate Applicants | ||
| Master of Arts (M.A.) | December 1st | Not available |
| Doctoral (Ph.D.) | December 1st | Not available |
Film & Television Production
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Freshmen (First-year) Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
| Current USC Transfer Applicants | February 15th | September 15th |
| External Transfer Applicants | February 15th | Not available |
| Graduate Applicants | November 15th | August 15th |
Game Art BFA
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Freshmen (First-year) Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
| Current USC Transfer Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
| External Transfer Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
Game Development and Interactive Design BFA
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Freshmen (First-year) Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
| Current USC Transfer Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
| External Transfer Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
Themed Entertainment BFA
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Freshmen (First-year) Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
| Current USC Transfer Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
| External Transfer Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
Interactive Media MFA and Interactive Media MS
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Applicants | November 15th | Not available |
Cinematic Arts (Media Arts, Games & Health) MA
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Applicants | November 15th | Not available |
Media Arts + Practice
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Freshmen (First-year) Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
| Current USC Transfer Applicants | February 15th | September 15th |
| External Transfer Applicants | February 15th | Not available |
| Graduate Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
Peter Stark Producing
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Applicants | November 15th | Not available |
Writing for Screen & Television
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Freshmen (First-year) Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
| Current USC Transfer Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
| External Transfer Applicants | December 1st | Not available |
| Graduate Applicants | November 15th | Not available |
Expanded Animation MFA
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Applicants | November 15th | Not available |