Our graduate program offers students both academic rigor and the chance to work closely with faculty members with diverse earth science backgrounds. Close faculty-student relationships as well as a friendly and supportive learning atmosphere are important aspects of graduate study at USC, and ones in which we take great pride. Our graduate and research programs are among the fastest growing and best balanced in the country, made possible by the vibrant atmosphere for doing geoscience in Southern California.

Many of our students are active contributors in our affiliated research centers such as the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC), the Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies, and the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum. Students can also take advantage of classes and research opportunites across different scientific disciplines, such as the Ocean Sciences Program and the Marine Environmental Program that includes faculty in the Earth Sciences department.

Prospective students are encouraged to review our research and faculty section before they apply.

We will be accepting applications for the Fall 2010 Term starting September, 2009