Intelligence and Cyber Operations (BA) at University of Southern California

Programme overview

The BA in Intelligence and Cyber Operations brings international relations scholarship together with technical expertise in cyber security and digital forensics, preparing students for an emerging field of scholarly activity and professional practice.

Duration: 56 units (12 lower-division, 44 upper-division) | Intake: Early Decision/Early Action deadline November 1; Regular Decision January 10 (performing arts majors December 1) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States

What you will study

Lower-division courses in international relations, the global economy or microeconomics, Python or C++ programming and cyber security; upper-division courses in national intelligence, technology and international relations, ethical hacking and digital forensics; electives in security and violence, international finance, cyber law, technical topics and regional studies.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

First-year applicants to USC (Common Application): Early Decision and Early Action (most majors) November 1; Regular Decision (most majors) January 10, performing arts majors December 1. SAT/ACT scores are optional (test-optional policy). Required: Common Application, transcripts, one letter of recommendation, and any additional materials required by the major; fall grades submitted when available. No admission interviews are conducted. International applicants whose native language is not English must submit an approved English proficiency exam; recommended minimums are TOEFL iBT 100 with no section below 20 (exams before 21 January 2026) or 5 overall with no section below 4 (on or after 21 January 2026), IELTS 7, PTE 68, Cambridge C1 Advanced 185 (169 per skill), SAT EBRW 650 or ACT English 27; Duolingo minimum 130 accepted if an approved exam cannot be taken. International applicants must document funds to cover the first year.

Requirements published at program group level.

USD 75,384 a year (2026-27). Estimated undergraduate tuition for two semesters (12-18 units per semester), the USC rate for full-time undergraduates; excludes fees ($1,952), housing, food, books and the $450 new student fee. The same tuition applies to in-state and out-of-state resid Source

First-year students enter in the fall semester; applicants can apply Early Decision (binding), Early Action or Regular Decision.

First-year deadlines for 2027 entry: Early Decision (most majors) November 1; Early Action (most majors) November 1; Regular Decision for performing arts majors (Dance, Dramatic Arts, Thornton Music) December 1; Regular Decision for most majors January 10. Early Decision applicants are notified by mid-December, Early Action in late January and Regular Decision by April 1.

Applications are made through the Common Application; the undergraduate application fee is $85 for all applicants, with fee waivers available except to international students. SAT/ACT scores are optional (test-optional); USC school code is SAT 4852 and ACT 0470.

Transfer applications for 2027-28: December 1, 2026 for selected programmes and February 15, 2027 for all other majors; SAT/ACT scores are not required for transfer applicants.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.usc.edu/

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities