The current job market and salary levels for software engineers not only attract many computer science majors to study abroad but also draw a growing number of non-CS undergraduates seeking to switch to CS at the graduate level. However, many CS-related programs require applicants to have a strong background in the field, posing a challenge for non-CS majors.
In reality, some CS programs are very friendly to students without a background in the field. "Friendly" here means they do not require a CS background, and applicants who did not major in CS as undergraduates are welcome. One example is USC's CS37.
About the University of Southern California
The University of Southern California (USC), located in Los Angeles, was ranked 25th in the 2023 U.S. News Best National Universities. USC's CS program is housed in the Viterbi School of Engineering, which is ranked among the top 15 engineering schools by U.S. News. Viterbi enrolls about 2,000 students annually, making it a large-scale CS institution.
Introduction to USC's CS37 Program
This USC program is nicknamed CS37 because it requires only 37 credits to graduate. Its full name is the Master of Computer Science (Scientists and Engineers), designed specifically for career changers.
Scientists and Engineers is a track within CS, no different from other tracks like SE, Game, DS, or AI, and students attend the same classes. Although you cannot switch to another track, you can take electives from any CS field. Because it is designed for non-CS majors who lack a full CS foundation, the curriculum includes additional content: four foundational courses—CSCI455x Introduction to Programming Systems Design, CSCI402 Operating Systems, EE457 Computer Systems, and EE450 Computer Networks.
Unlike other tracks, CS37 is designed as a two-year program, but there is no rigid requirement (it can be completed in 1.5 years if you take more courses). You just need to complete 37 credits to graduate.
USC's CS program is sometimes criticized as being "watered down," partly due to large class sizes and the curriculum design. But given the large student body, big classes are inevitable. As for the curriculum, opinions vary—it really depends on how students learn and which courses they choose.
Let's talk about job hunting. First, USC places a high priority on graduate employment and holds two large career fairs on campus each semester. Moreover, the job-seeking atmosphere at USC is quite positive—students often form groups to practice coding problems and do mock interviews together, and the likelihood of landing an offer is not low.
Additionally, the school's prime location is a significant advantage. Many major companies hold recruitment events specifically at USC. The top recruiters at USC are well-known tech giants, including Amazon, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and others. (However, the bar for CS37 is not low—applicants should work hard to boost their GPA.)
Program Website: https://viterbigradadmission.usc.edu/programs/masters/msprograms/compute...
Below is an offer for the USC CS37 program~
For more details on graduate applications, scan the QR code below to inquire~
