Hello! My name is Colin Stillman and I’m a senior with a double major in Economics and Environmental Studies. I’m also pursuing a Progressive Graduate Degree, which is a Master’s of Science in Applied Economics and Econometrics. I’m completing all of these degrees in 4 years, and I’m going to discuss the opportunities of USC’s accelerated Progressive Degree Program (PDP).
I’ve loved my Progressive Degree Programs because it allowed me to grow both professionally and as a person, while still allowing me to graduate quickly. I get access to both undergraduate and graduate resources, in terms of career events, professors, and advising. As an undergraduate, I attend Networking Nights and Coffee Chats with industry professionals. I am also an officer of the Economics Association, a student-run organization that collaborates with the department. I run the association’s newsletter, schedule coffee chats, and speak at panels.
I was also a member of the Emerging Leaders Program, which was a program for undergraduate economics and business students that taught about risk management through mentorship, field trips, and panels. This program and the people I met connected me with an internship and eventually a full-time job!
As a graduate student, I get access to additional professional and social events. The department advisor frequently sends out job postings to our cohort, and we even have pizza events where students can network with each other and professors!
Many of my graduate classes have repeated professors from undergrad, allowing me to form closer relationships. I see my teachers all around campus, and they’ve always been happy to sit down with me for a coffee chat, talk through email, or provide job resources. Having the same professors repeatedly also allows me to engage with more challenging course content over time. For instance, in my undergraduate Economic Consulting class, I worked on an analysis of LA Metro ridership using econometric models. In my Advanced Economic Consulting class, I built a more advanced ridership model and integrated mapping software, using what I learned from my undergraduate class. I found that being from USC and already knowing many of the professors and support systems made my transition to graduate school much easier.
Normally, doing undergraduate and graduate degrees takes 6 years. For students who pursue the progressive degree program, you can complete your undergraduate and graduate programs in 4-5 years. This can save you a large amount of money and time. The master’s program allows you to waive up to ⅓ of the regular required units if you apply as an undergraduate. For example, while my master’s program typically requires 8 classes, my Progressive Degree only requires 6 classes (and provides the same degree!). The number of units waived vary based on degree, but it is important to note that Progressive Degrees are only available for USC undergraduate students.
An additional benefit is that Progressive Degrees have a simplified application process. There is no GRE requirement (the graduate version of the SATs), and there are no essays or letters of recommendation required if you have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students are allowed to apply for a program after they complete 64 units at USC, or during their junior or senior year (the semester prior to beginning graduate coursework).
Regarding scholarships and financial aid, there are a variety of ways to fund your degree. Most scholarships will carry over until you complete 8 semesters at USC (10 if you are studying Architecture). Financial aid will carry over until the semester after you complete 144 units. There are a few caveats to this (mainly, completing your undergraduate degree will disqualify you from aid), but this information can all be found on USC’s website. However, it is important to plan ahead and read through USC’s regulations to ensure you can meet graduation requirements and maintain affordability for yourself. It is enormously helpful to meet with your advisor and create a prospective course plan on your own before applying!
If you’re looking to make an impact on your career or want to save time (and money), a Progressive Degree is a great solution. There are programs in almost every department, encompassing a broad array of fields. It’s never too early to start thinking about graduate school, and I highly recommend reaching out to your academic advisors if you are interested!