Sound Design (BFA) at University of Southern California

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sound Design provides four years of intensive undergraduate training in the discipline.

Duration: 128 units (4 years) | Intake: Fall | Study mode: full-time | Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States

What you will study

The degree requires 128 units including a 16-unit Critical Studies core and the required courses for the programme. BFA students must earn a 2.75 GPA in their theatre courses each semester or be placed on probation; students disqualified may transfer into the BA programme.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Undergraduate first-year admission (university-wide): apply through the Common Application; SAT/ACT scores are optional (test-optional); official transcripts and a letter of recommendation are submitted, and fall grades are submitted when available. Deadlines: Early Decision and Early Action November 1; Regular Decision January 10 (December 1 for performing arts majors). USC does not conduct admission interviews. International applicants whose native language is not English must submit an approved English proficiency exam: TOEFL iBT recommended minimum 100 with at least 20 per section (exams before 21 January 2026) or 5 overall with at least 4 per section (exams on or after 21 January 2026), IELTS 7, PTE 68, Cambridge C1 Advanced 185, SAT EBRW 650, ACT English 27, or Duolingo 130 (with an on-arrival International Student Exam). Performing arts majors have the December 1 regular decision deadline and may need additional school-specific materials.

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/

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