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Transferring to USC
2018
i
Founded in 1880, the University of Southern California is a top-tier, private research institution located in the heart of a diverse, dynamic world center. As a transfer student at USC, you will enjoy unparalleled opportunities in and outside the classroom. From access to world-class faculty and the ability to conduct your own original research, to acquiring real-world experience through service learning and internship programs, the possibilities are endless. Transfer admission to USC remains highly competitive, and we look for students with outstanding academic records, talents and leadership skills. This brochure will introduce you to our admission policies, academic requirements and the courses you will need to successfully transfer to USC. We hope you find this information helpful and we look forward to working with you in the future. Fight On!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
About USC 2
USC at a Glance 2
Application Process 3
Majors
4
Planning Your Transfer 6
Plan Ahead 6
Planning Tools 7
Essential Transfer
Information 8
Transfer Planning Worksheet 10
Additional Coursework by Major 12
Transfer Credit Policies 16
Resources 18
Financial Aid 18
Learn More 19
USC
Visit 19
Frequently
Asked Questions 20
FIGHT
ON
1
USC at a Glance
1880 Founded 226 Size of University Park
Campus in Acres
Los Angeles Location 8:1 Student-to-Faculty Ratio
19,000 Undergraduates Enrolled 26 Average Class Size
25,000 Graduate/Professional
Students Enrolled 300,000+ Alumni
Transfer Admission Statistics Fall 2017
8,800 Applications 1,300 Transfer Class Size
2,150 Admission Offers 3.7 Average College GPA
24% Admit Rate
Our Transfer Students Come From...
50% California Community Colleges 27% Colleges Outside California
California Private Colleges
7% and Universities 6% International
Colleges and Universities
California State University/
10% University of California
2
About USC
Application Process
The Common Application Please note: Students applying for fall 2018 admission
must submit the redesigned version of the SAT. We do
To apply, please visit www.usc.edu/commonapp
not require the optional essay.
to complete the Common Application and the USC
Writing Supplement. We do not require the Common Application College
Report.
Application Checklist
International students must also submit:
In addition to the Common App and USC Writing
o TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic scores, if the student’s
Supplement, please ensure each item is completed
native language is not English.
and submitted by the appropriate deadline (see below).
o Financial Statement of Personal or Family Support
o College Transcripts
Official transcripts from any and all colleges you Please visit admission.usc.edu/internationalstudents for more
information about the application requirements for international
attended. We need to review your fall term grades, students.
so be sure your current school has posted them
before transcripts are sent. Notification
o Official High School Transcripts We will mail either an admission decision or a request
High school transcripts must show date of graduation. for spring term grades by May 31, 2018, to applicants
Students who completed secondary school outside who submitted complete applications by the deadline.
the U.S. may substitute a copy of a diploma or
leaving certificate. Students who did not finish high
school should also submit a copy of their completion
certificate (such as a GED) and may also submit a
letter of explanation.
o Major-Related Requirements
Some majors also require an audition, portfolio,
professional resumé, letters of recommendation
or additional writing samples.
o SAT or ACT Scores
Required from applicants who have completed
fewer than 30 semester units of college coursework.
Application Deadlines
December 1, 2017 February 1, 2018
Deadline for all Dramatic Arts, Music and Dance programs, Final transfer deadline for all other programs.
the Iovine and Young Academy, and the Writing for Screen Students who apply for admission by February 1 will
and Television program in Cinematic Arts. also be considered for USC Merit Scholarships. 3
Majors
Choose From 150 Majors
USC offers undergraduates more majors than any other university.
Students are challenged across a broad range of ideas, within the
curriculum and outside the classroom.
Dornsife College Earth Sciences Law, History and Culture Iovine and Young
of Letters, Arts and East Asian Area Studies Linguistics Academy
Sciences East Asian Languages and Mathematics Arts, Technology and the
American Popular Culture Cultures (Chinese, Middle East Studies Business of Innovation
American Studies and Ethnicity Japanese, Korean) Narrative Studies Roski School
African American Studies Economics
American Studies Economics/Mathematics
Neuroscience of Art and Design
Asian American Studies Non-Governmental Organizations Art
English and Social Change
Chicano/Latino Studies Design, BFA
Environmental Science and Health Philosophy
Anthropology Fine Arts, BFA
Environmental Studies Philosophy, Politics and Law
Applied and Computational
Mathematics French Physics Marshall School
Gender Studies of Business
Archaeology Physics/Computer Science
GeoDesign Business Administration
Art History Political Economy
Astronomy Geological Sciences Political Science USC School of
Biochemistry Global Studies Psychology Cinematic Arts
Biological Sciences Health and Human Sciences Religion Animation and Digital Arts, B.A.
Biophysics Health and Humanity Russian Cinema and Media Studies, B.A.
Central European Studies History Sociology Film and Television Production,
Human Biology B.A.
Chemistry Spanish
International Relations Interactive Entertainment, B.A.
Classics
Cognitive Science International Relations USC School Media Arts and Practice, B.A.
(Global Business) of Architecture Writing for Screen and Television,
Comparative Literature Architecture, B.ARCH
International Relations BFA
Computational Neuroscience
and the Global Economy
Contemporary Latino and Latin
Italian
American Studies
Jewish Studies
Creative Writing
4
Annenberg School
for Communication
Chemical Thornton School Price School of
and Journalism Chemical (Biochemical) of Music Public Policy
Communication Chemical (Environmental) Bachelor of Music degrees: Public Policy
Journalism Chemical (Nanotechnology) Composition Real Estate Development
Public Relations Chemical (Petroleum) Urban Studies and Planning
Jazz Studies (Instrumental only)
Chemical Music Production Pre-professional
Kaufman School (Polymer/Materials Science)
of Dance Popular Music Performance Emphases
Chemical (Sustainable Energy) Classical Performance Pre-Dentistry
Dance, BFA
Civil Bassoon Pre-Law
Herman Ostrow School Civil (Building Science) Cello Pre-Medicine
of Dentistry Civil (Environmental) Clarinet Pre-Occupational Therapy
Dental Hygiene Civil (Structural) Double Bass
Pre-Pharmacy
(junior transfers only) Flute
Computer Engineering Pre-Physical Therapy
French Horn
USC School of and Computer Science
Guitar, Classical Pre-Physician Assistant Practice
Dramatic Arts Computer Science
Harp Pre-Teaching
Theatre Computer Science (Games) Oboe
Theatre (Acting for Stage, Computer Science/ Organ List accurate at time of printing.
Screen and Media), BFA Business Administration Percussion Please refer to the USC Catalogue
Theatre (Design), BFA Electrical Piano online at catalogue.usc.edu for
Environmental Saxophone an updated list.
Theatre (Sound Design), BFA
Industrial and Systems Trombone
Theatre (Stage Management),
Trumpet
BFA Mechanical
Tuba
Theatre (Technical Direction), Mechanical (Petroleum) Viola
BFA
Violin
Davis School Vocal Arts
Viterbi School of Gerontology
of Engineering Human Development & Aging Bachelor of Arts degrees:
*Note: Areas of emphasis are Lifespan Health Choral Music
indicated in parentheses.
Classical Performance option
Aerospace Keck School of Medicine (Instrumental or Vocal)
Astronautical Global Health Jazz Performance option
Biomedical Health Promotion and Disease (Instrumental or Vocal)
Biomedical (Biochemical) Prevention Studies Bachelor of Science degree:
Biomedical (Electrical) Music Industry
Biomedical (Mechanical)
5 5
Planning
Your Transfer
Plan Ahead
We seek successful students who will contribute to count toward two categories, many students will meet
the USC community. The next few pages will help you these requirements with fewer. The pages that follow
plan your program to stay on track and maximize your describe the requirements and provide tools to help
chances of admission. you identify likely courses at your institution.
All transfer students are expected to have acquired Requirements for your intended major are also a
skills in English composition and mathematics before factor. You should familiarize yourself with the
admission. We generally require a year of English requirements for your intended degree and make
composition coursework that culminates in a course good progress toward satisfying those requirements.
equivalent to USC’s lower-division Writing requirement, Foreign language is a graduation requirement for many
WRIT-130. To meet our Math requirement, you need programs, including all Dornsife majors and several
to have earned a minimum grade of C in Algebra I, majors in other schools. Additionally, many programs
Algebra II and Geometry in high school, or have taken — especially those in science and engineering —
Intermediate Algebra at the college level if you didn’t require introductory, lower-division courses that can
satisfy this requirement in high school. Many programs be completed before transferring.
also require further studies in mathematics. The key to a successful transfer is good planning.
All students must complete General Education Students who achieve at a high level and make good
requirements to earn a bachelor’s degree, so we expect progress toward their intended degree will have the
transfer students to satisfy a good number of these best chance of a successful application and on-time
before admission. Although we do not require a specific graduation. We offer this planning guide to help you
number, a good rule of thumb is one or two GE courses realize your goal of transferring to USC.
per term. Ten courses are required in eight categories.
With AP/IB credit, or with some courses that may
6
Planning Tools
Several resources are available to help you determine
which courses and credits will transfer to USC. As a
general rule, most courses that transfer to the University
of California system will transfer to USC.
Feel free to contact your Admission counselor if you have
any questions or concerns. To find your counselor, please
visit admission.usc.edu/findyourcounselor.html.
Transfer Planning Guide
This online resource will help you determine which
undergraduate courses at other institutions will satisfy
USC’s General Education courses, as well as the lower-
division coursework required for any major. Visit
www.usc.edu/tpg, then select your college and your
intended major to generate a course list for the current
academic year.
Articulation Agreements
Transferring from a California community college:
USC works with many of California’s community colleges
to develop lists of courses that will be accepted for transfer
credit. Known as articulation agreements, these lists
indicate the courses that fulfill General Education and
other requirements, as well as equivalents to lower-division
courses at USC. Articulation agreements are available
online at arr.usc.edu/transfercredit.
Transferring from out-of-state community colleges:
Although USC does not have articulation agreements with
out-of-state community colleges, most courses that will
transfer to the flagship four-year, public institutions in your
state will transfer to USC.
Articulation Histories
Transferring from a four-year college:
USC does not maintain articulation agreements with four-
year universities. For a handful of local public institutions,
we provide articulation histories that list the courses
we have previously evaluated and accepted for transfer
credit. Courses not included on the history have not
yet been reviewed and may or may not transfer. Most
academic courses from four-year institutions are accepted
for transfer credit. arr.usc.edu/services/articulation/
histories.html
7
Planning
Your Transfer
Essential Transfer
Information
Successful Transfer Applicants Typically: • Complete additional lower-division courses required
• Present at least one year of rigorous, full-time by their intended major, if applicable. Refer to
academic coursework, with strong grades. In 2017, pages 12-15 to see if your intended major requires
the average GPA of admitted transfer students was lower-division courses that should be completed
3.7. Consistent progress toward a degree and strong before you transfer. This is especially important for
academic performance greatly influence our students pursuing degrees in science, engineering,
admission decisions. architecture, dental hygiene or business.
• Complete the equivalent of USC’s lower-division • Students whose native language is not English must
Writing requirement, Writing 130. also demonstrate English-language proficiency.
• Meet our minimum Math requirement by
demonstrating a mastery of Algebra II in high
school, or Intermediate Algebra in college with a
grade of C or better. Many majors require more
math. See pages 12-15 for details.
• Make satisfactory progress toward meeting
USC General Education requirements.
IMPORTANT:
If you began college in fall 2015 or after
(excluding summer terms), you will need to follow
the revised General Education program. These new When to Transfer
requirements are outlined in this booklet. USC accepts both sophomore and junior transfer
Students who began college prior to fall 2015 students.
(excluding summer semesters) will complete the
previous General Education requirements and should By transferring as early as your sophomore year, you
not follow the GE program outlined in the following can take more of your General Education and elective
pages. Visit admission.usc.edu/transferplanning courses at USC. You will be part of the USC community
to download the Transfer Planning Worksheet for the for a longer time and have more opportunities to get
previous General Education program. involved with campus life and make the connections
that can help you after graduation.
8If your academic record in high school fell short Selecting a Major
of USC expectations, you may be able to position Applicants may indicate a first- and second-choice
yourself as a stronger candidate if you complete two major on the application. We also consider transfer
years of solid undergraduate coursework at another students for “open/undecided” status.
institution. Additionally, if you complete most of your
General Education requirements before transferring, English Proficiency Requirement
you will have more time to pursue a double major, a International transfer applicants whose native
major-minor combination, or a unit-heavy major while language is not English must submit a TOEFL, IELTS or
you are enrolled at USC. PTE Academic score earned within two years of their
application date.
Current high school students, please note: If you
are still in high school, USC considers you a first-year
applicant, regardless of the number of college units Remedial Coursework
completed prior to high school graduation. Placement exams offered at your current college will
determine your need for any remedial coursework
If you have questions about your class standing, please
in writing and mathematics prior to your admission
call the USC Office of Admission at (213) 740-1111.
to USC. Remedial courses are not transferable.
Transfer Units
Required Courses Taken on a
USC does not require a minimum number of transfer
Pass/No Pass Basis
units. However, if you have earned fewer than 30
As many as 24 semester units, including up to 4
transferable semester units, we will base our decision
units of General Education courses, may be taken on
either primarily on your high school record and SAT or
a Pass/No Pass basis. One Core Literacy course may
ACT scores, or wait to receive your spring-term grades.
be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, and both of the
Global Perspectives courses may be taken on a Pass/
College Transcripts No Pass basis. Please note that writing courses taken on
You must submit official college transcripts from a Pass/No Pass basis will not fulfill USC’s lower-division
any and all colleges you have attended, regardless of Writing requirement.
whether or not all coursework or degree requirements
were completed. Failure to do so may be viewed
as a violation of academic integrity, which could
result in revocation of admission and/or dismissal
from the university.
9Transfer Planning COURSES REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION
Worksheet Writing and math are required for all transfer
students. Students intending to study science,
business, engineering, architecture or dental hygiene
Students who began college in fall are required to complete additional courses before
2015 or after: transferring. Refer to pages 12-15 for details.
The GE requirements on the following pages apply only to
students who finished high school and started college in
fall 2015 or after.
Students who began college prior WRITING
to fall 2015: (excluding summer terms) Lower-Division Writing (equivalent of USC Writing 130)
You will need to follow our previous General Education
Strong writing skills are essential to success at USC. All undergraduates
program. Visit admission.usc.edu/transferplanning to
at USC are required to take two writing courses: one lower-division
download the Transfer Planning Worksheet for the previous and one upper-division course. The upper-division course must be
General Education Program. taken at USC.
Successful transfer applicants will complete a course equivalent to the
lower-division requirement, WRIT 130, before applying for admission.
Typically the second course in a college composition sequence satisfies
GENERAL EDUCATION this requirement.
If your school does not offer a course equivalent to WRIT 130, you
USC’s General Education program is designed to should take the strongest composition course available. This course
introduce you to the breadth of knowledge you will may not be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis. Professional, technical,
need to be a well-educated person in the 21st century. creative and remedial writing courses will not satisfy this requirement.
If you are unsure if your writing course is equivalent to WRIT 130,
With careful choice of classes, students can meet or if it does not appear on any current articulation agreements or
the following 10 requirements with eight courses: histories, keep the syllabus and papers for later review by USC.
• Eight courses within the six Core Literacies: one course
each in The Arts, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences,
and Quantitative Reasoning; and two courses each in COURSE
Humanistic Inquiry and Social Analysis. o Completed o In progress
• Two courses in Global Perspectives: one in
Citizenship in a Diverse World and one in Traditions
and Historical Foundations.
MINIMUM MATH
Advanced or Intermediate Algebra
• Some Global Perspectives courses will satisfy
requirements in the Core Literacies as well. A single You are expected to have earned strong grades in at least three
course can satisfy one Global Perspectives and one years of high school mathematics, including Advanced Algebra
Core Literacy requirement at most. (Algebra II) or Intermediate Algebra at the college level with a
grade of C or better.
• Transfer students must complete two GE courses Majors in the sciences, social sciences, business, architecture
at USC Dornsife College from among the six Core and engineering at USC require specific mathematics courses and
Literacy categories. achievement beyond this level.
• Once enrolled at USC, students must complete all If lower-division mathematics courses are required by your major,
GE requirements at USC. we advise you to complete them early in your college studies, prior
to applying to USC.
• Transfer students are not required to complete the
Please refer to Additional Coursework by Major on pages 12-15
General Education Seminar (GESM) required of
to find out if your intended program of study requires additional
first-year students. coursework.
• To be eligible for GE credit, a course taken at another
institution must be equivalent to at least 2 and 2/3
units of transfer credit (typically 4 quarter units).
COURSE OR EXAM
Additional information about the 2015 General Education o Completed o In progress
Program is available at dornsife.usc.edu/2015ge.GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES RECOMMENDED FOR ADMISSION
CORE LITERACIES
HUMANISTIC SOCIAL THE LIFE THE PHYSICAL QUANTITATIVE
GE–A THE ARTS GE–B INQUIRY GE–C ANALYSIS GE–D SCIENCES GE–E SCIENCES GE–F REASONING
(2 COURSES) (2 COURSES)
Courses that meet this Courses that meet this Courses that meet this Courses that meet this Courses that meet this Courses that meet this
requirement enable requirement cultivate a requirement explore the requirement provide a requirement analyze requirement teach
students to engage with critical appreciation for causes and consequences scientific understanding natural phenomena students to use a set of
the arts by teaching them various forms of human of social phenomena of a full range of living through quantitative formal tools, such as logical
by teaching students to
to create and analyze works expression by teaching apply the quantitative systems from molecules description and synthesis, or statistical inference,
of art, understanding the students to evaluate works and qualitative methods to ecosystems by teaching teaching students to solve probability, or mathematical
context of their creations of literature, philosophy of the social sciences to students to understand scientific problems and analysis to pose and
and their connections to and the arts, to think understand how people how data is generated, to understand the evaluate hypotheses,
cultural issues. critically and formulate behave and influence the presented and interpreted, processes by which claims, questions, or
informed opinions about world through institutions and how scientific discovery scientific knowledge is problems within a formal
EXAMPLES OF and other cultural forms.
ideas and values. spurs technological growth obtained, evaluated and mode of thought.
ACCEPTABLE COURSES:
EXAMPLES OF and impacts society. placed in the context of
Art History (must include EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTABLE COURSES: EXAMPLES OF
ACCEPTABLE COURSES: societal relevance.
cultural context), Intro Cultural Anthropology, EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTABLE COURSES:
to Film, Art Appreciation Western Civilization, Intro to Environmental ACCEPTABLE COURSES: EXAMPLES OF Microeconomics,
(Great Works), History of World Civilization, Intro Studies (people and policy General Biology, ACCEPTABLE COURSES: Macroeconomics,
Architecture (must include to Philosophy, American focused), Intro to Sociology, Physical Anthropology, General Chemistry, Intro Pre-Calculus, College
cultural context), History Literature, or English Intro to Political Science, Environmental Biology, to Chemistry, General Algebra, Statistics, Finite
of Music, History of Dance, Literature, US History, Intro to Gender Studies Marine Biology Physics, Oceanography, Math, Calculus, Math for
History of Photography, Intro to Religions, Eastern Intro to Women’s Studies, Elementary Astronomy, Liberal Arts, Calculus for
Intro to LGBT Studies, Intro Courses must include a
Intro to Theatre, Modern Religion, Western Physical Geography Business
to International Relations, lab component. Online
Art, Contemporary Art, Religion, World Religions,
Old Testament, New Intro to Peace (or Conflict) or hybrid labs are not Courses must include a Meeting This Requirement
Music Appreciation, History
Testament, Mythology Studies, Language and acceptable. lab component. Online with Math Placement
of Jazz, History of Rock and
(Greek/Roman/World) Society, Ethnic-American or hybrid labs are not Test Scores: Students may
Roll, Dramatic Literature
Histories acceptable. meet their 2015 General
(plays from all eras)
Education requirement in
NOT ACCEPTABLE: Quantitative Reasoning with
Studio, performance, a score of 22 on the USC
theory or pre-professional Mathematics Placement
courses Exam, if that score is earned
under certain conditions.
COURSE COURSE Please visit dornsife.
o Completed o Completed usc.edu/2015ge/2015ge-
requirements for
o In progress o In progress complete information.
o At USC o At USC
o Non-USC o Non-USC
COURSE OR EXAM COURSE COURSE COURSE OR EXAM COURSE OR EXAM COURSE OR EXAM
o Completed o Completed o Completed oC
ompleted oC
ompleted o Completed
o In progress o In progress o In progress o I n progress o I n progress o In progress
o At USC o At USC o At USC oA
t USC oA
t USC o At USC
o Non-USC o Non-USC o Non-USC o Non-USC o Non-USC o Non-USC
GE: GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES FOREIGN LANGUAGE MAJOR-RELATED COURSES
CITIZENSHIP IN A TRADITIONS AND Many degree programs require the third-
GE–G GE–H HISTORICAL Use this space to record courses listed on
DIVERSE WORLD FOUNDATIONS
level course of a foreign language. See pages 12-15 for your intended major.
the “Foreign Lang.” column next to your
intended major on pages 12-15. Students
Courses that meet this requirement enhance Courses that meet this requirement examine are encouraged to begin, if not finish, this
understanding of citizenship and moral the historical and cultural foundations of requirement before transferring. COURSE
agency in today’s increasingly global society contemporary societies over a substantial Once at USC, transfers needing further
by teaching students to identify social, period of time by teaching students to studies in foreign language must complete o Completed o In progress
political, economic, and cultural forces understand the enduring influence of literary, a placement exam before being allowed to
that bear on human experience in the U.S. political, economic, philosophical, legal, register for courses.
and around the world. ethical and religious traditions.
COURSE
EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTABLE COURSES: Students attending schools on the quarter
EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTABLE COURSES: system must complete the fifth-level
Intro to International Relations, Intro to Art History (must include cultural context), o Completed o In progress
History of Architecture (must include cultural course of a foreign language to satisfy this
Peace (or Conflict) Studies. requirement. At some semester schools, a
context), Music History, History of Theatre,
NOT ACCEPTABLE: Western Civilization, World Civilization, US fourth-level course is equivalent to the third
Courses that consider these issues in the History, Intro to Religion, Eastern Religion, level at USC. COURSE
context of a single country, like the U.S. Western Religion, World Religions, Old
A score of 4 or higher on an AP foreign o Completed o In progress
Testament, New Testament, Mythology
(Greek/Roman/World) language exam (other than Latin) can fulfill
this requirement.
NOT ACCEPTABLE: Language courses taken fully or partially COURSE
Modern or contemporary history courses
online do not satisfy this requirement.
focused on the 20th century or later. o Completed o In progress
COURSE
COURSE OR EXAM COURSE OR EXAM COURSE OR EXAM
o Completed o In progress
o Completed o At USC o Completed o At USC oC
ompleted o At USC
o In progress o Non-USC o In progress o Non-USC o I n progress o Non-USCPlanning
Your Transfer
Additional Coursework
by Major
A strong application for admission will show solid progress toward the intended degree. The curricula of many undergraduate
majors require lower-division, introductory coursework often available at other institutions. Students wishing to be more
competitive in the applicant pool should consider completing the suggested courses listed for their major. For majors in
business, science, engineering, architecture and dental hygiene, completion of these courses is required for admission.
The course numbers listed below are USC course numbers. Please visit arr.usc.edu/transfercredit to find an equivalent
course at the college you attend.
Majors that require a third-level foreign language are indicated with a checkmark in the “Foreign Lang.” column.
Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences | dornsife.usc.edu
MAJOR FOREIGN
LANG.
Astronomy MATH 125 (Calculus I); MATH 126 (Calculus II); MATH 226 (Calculus III); MATH 245 (Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I);
✓ PHYS 151 (Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics); PHYS 152 (Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and
Magnetism); PHYS 153 (Fundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics)
Biological Sciences, ✓ BISC 120 (General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution); BISC 220 (General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology);
Biochemistry CHEM 105ab (General Chemistry I and II); PHYS 135a (Physics for the Life Sciences I) or PHYS 151 (Fundamentals of Physics I:
Mechanics and Thermodynamics); PHYS 135b (Physics for the Life Sciences II) or PHYS 152 (Fundamentals
of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism); MATH 125 (Calculus I)
Additional lower-division courses in mathematics are required for B.S. programs.
Biophysics, Chemistry, MATH 125 (Calculus I); MATH 126 (Calculus II); MATH 226 (Calculus III); CHEM 105ab (General Chemistry I and II);
Physics
✓ PHYS 151 (Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics); PHYS 152 (Fundamentals of Physics II:
Electricity and Magnetism); PHYS 153 (Fundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics)
Additional requirements per major:
Biophysics also requires: BISC 120 (General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution) and 220 (General Biology:
Cell Biology and Physiology) and MATH 245 (Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I)
Physics also requires: MATH 245 (Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I)
Computational BISC 220 (General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology); CHEM 105a (General Chemistry I); PSYC 100 (Introduction
Neuroscience
✓ to Psychology); MATH 125 (Calculus I); MATH 126 (Calculus II); PHYS 135ab (Physics for the Life Sciences I and II)
Earth Sciences GEOL 105 (Planet Earth) or 107 (Oceanography); CHEM 105a (General Chemistry I); MATH 118 (Fundamental Principles of the
✓ Calculus) or 125 (Calculus I); BISC 120 (General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution), CHEM 105b (General Chemistry II)
or PHYS 135a (Physics for the Life Sciences I)
Economics ECON 203 (Principles of Microeconomics); ECON 205 (Principles of Macroeconomics); MATH 118 (Fundamental Principles of
✓ the Calculus); or MATH 125 (Calculus I).
Economics/ ECON 203 (Principles of Microeconomics); ECON 205 (Principles of Macroeconomics); MATH 126 (Calculus II), MATH 225
Mathematics ✓ (Linear Algebra and Linear Differential Equations) or 245 (Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I); MATH 226 (Calculus III)
Environmental Science BISC 120 (General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution); BISC 220 (General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology);
and Health
✓ CHEM 105ab (General Chemistry I and II). See website for details regarding other course requirements.
Geological Sciences CHEM 105ab (General Chemistry I and II); GEOL 105 (Planet Earth); MATH 125 (Calculus I); MATH 126 (Calculus II); PHYS 135a
✓ (Physics for the Life Sciences I) or PHYS 151 (Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics); or BISC 120 (General
Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution); PHYS 135b (Physics for the Life Sciences II) or PHYS 152 (Fundamentals of Physics
II: Electricity and Magnetism); or BISC 220 (General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology).
Health and Human BISC 220 (General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology); CHEM 105a (General Chemistry I).
Sciences
✓
Health and Humanity BISC 120 (General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution); BISC 220 (General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology);
✓ CHEM 105ab (General Chemistry I and II). See website for details regarding other course requirements.
Human Biology BISC 120 (General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution); BISC 220 (General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology);
✓ CHEM 105ab (General Chemistry I and II);* MATH 108 (Contemporary Precalculus); MATH 125; (Calculus I)* PHYS 135a
(Physics for the Life Sciences I) or PHYS 151 (Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics)*
*Not required for the B.A.
12Majors that require a third-level foreign language are indicated with a checkmark in the “Foreign Lang.” column.
Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences | dornsife.usc.edu
MAJOR FOREIGN
LANG .
International Relations ✓ Requires a fourth-level course of foreign language.
International Relations ECON 203 (Principles of Microeconomics); ECON 205 (Principles of Macroeconomics); MATH 118 (Fundamental
(Global Business), International
✓ Principles of the Calculus)
Relations and the Global Economy
Mathematics, Applied and MATH 125 (Calculus I); MATH 126 (Calculus II); MATH 225 (Linear Algebra and Linear Differential Equations); MATH 226
Computational Mathematics
✓ (Calculus III); PHYS 151 (Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics)
*Only required for the B.S. in Mathematics.
Neuroscience BISC 220 (General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology); CHEM 105a (General Chemistry I); PSYC 100 (Introduction
✓ to Psychology); MATH 125 (Calculus I)
The B.S. program in Neuroscience also requires CHEM 105b and PHYS 135ab.
Physics/Computer Science MATH 125 (Calculus I); MATH 126 (Calculus II); MATH 225 (Linear Algebra and Linear Differential
✓ Equations); MATH 226 (Calculus III); MATH 245 (Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I); PHYS 151
(Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics); PHYS 152 (Fundamentals of Physics II:
Electricity and Magnetism)
Political Science ✓ POSC 100 (Theory and Practice of American Democracy); POSC 120 (Comparative Politics)
Psychology PSYC 100 (Introduction to Psychology); MATH 114 (Foundation of Statistics)
✓
Sociology ✓ SOCI 200 (Introduction to Sociology)
All other majors ✓ Courses vary. See website for more information.
Iovine and Young Academy | iovine-young.usc.edu
FOREIGN
MAJOR LANG .
Arts, Technology and the Business •In addition to the Common Application and the USC Writing Supplement, applicants are required to submit a video
of Innovation (B.S.) proposal and are encouraged to submit a portfolio of creative work. The application deadline is December 1. Select
candidates will be invited to a required interview that will take place in late February. Please visit the Iovine and Young
website for complete details: iovine-young.usc.edu.
•Transfer students are welcome to apply but should be aware that the Academy curriculum is cohort-based and requires
a full four years to complete at USC.
USC School of Architecture | arch.usc.edu
FOREIGN
MAJOR LANG . REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION (USC course numbers listed)
Architecture • Prerequisite: MATH 108 (Contemporary Precalculus). Recommended course(s): PHYS 125 (Physics for Architects)
or PHYS 135ab (Physics for the Life Sciences I & II).
• The five-year Bachelor of Architecture program is a professional degree accredited by the National Architecture
Accrediting Board (NAAB).
• All transfer applicants must submit a portfolio directly to the School of Architecture via uscarch.slideroom.com.
Consult the School of Architecture program or website for instructions.
• Placement level and the amount of time to complete the studio sequence are dependent on skill level, not unit count.
• Submit a recommendation from a college/university instructor or your college academic advisor via Slideroom.
Letters from high school teachers or counselors will not be accepted.
• When selecting General Education courses, please focus on Categories B, C, D, G and H. If you are admitted to the
B.Arch program, Categories A, E and F will be fulfilled by major requirements.
Roski School of Art and Design | roski.usc.edu
FOREIGN
MAJOR LANG .
Art (B.A.) ✓ • All undergraduate applicants must submit a portfolio of 10-15 recent images of artwork (completed within the last two years),
artist statement, and a list of creative accomplishments. These should be uploaded to https://roski.slideroom.com.
Design (BFA)
• T ransfer applicants are required to submit at least two letters of recommendation from current or former art instructors.
Fine Arts (BFA) • All studio courses taken outside USC are subject to a portfolio review by USC art faculty prior to granting credit
for the course; therefore, save all course syllabi and all artwork completed for each studio class.
13Planning
Your Transfer
Majors that require a third-level foreign language are indicated with a checkmark in the “Foreign Lang.” column.
Marshall School of Business & Leventhal School of Accounting | marshall.usc.edu
FOREIGN
MAJOR LANG. REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION (USC course numbers listed)
Business & Accounting Prerequisites for admission to the Marshall School of Business:
Writing 150 (Analytical Writing); MATH 118 (Fundamental Principles of the Calculus); MATH 125 (Calculus I)
may be substituted for MATH 118.
These courses must be completed by the end of the spring semester for admission consideration; fall completion
is preferred.
Note: All upper-division business core courses and major electives must be taken at USC. Business courses
completed at another college or university may earn general elective credit.
In addition:
• It is recommended that students complete General Education courses, as well as financial and managerial accounting.
• Please note that prospective Accounting majors must first enter the Marshall School of Business as Business
Administration majors. A formal request to transfer to the Leventhal School of Accounting can be made once the
resident accounting course or courses are successfully completed.
USC School of Cinematic Arts | cinema.usc.edu
MAJOR FOREIGN
LANG.
Animation & Digital Arts, B.A. ✓ To better prepare for all Cinematic Arts majors, students are encouraged to complete the transferable General
Education categories, in addition to the Writing and Foreign Language requirements. Cinematic Arts programs are
Cinema & Media Studies, B.A. ✓ project intensive, and completion of transferable General Education courses will allow students to better focus on
Film & Television Production, B.A. ✓ Cinematic Arts courses.
Interactive Entertainment, B.A. ✓ Film and Television Production Applicants: To be considered for admission, you must first obtain 48 transferable
semester units (excluding AP & IB). This total may include units in progress during the fall or spring semester.
Media Arts + Practice, B.A. ✓ Writing for Screen and Television Applicants: The undergraduate writing program is a four-year sequential program
Writing for Screen & Television, BFA of study. General Education and elective units may count in transfer. Writing applicants are not required to complete
a foreign language requirement.
The transfer application deadline for all programs, except Writing for Screen and Television, is February 1, 2018.
The deadline for the Writing for Screen and Television program is December 1, 2017.
Visit cinema.usc.edu/admissions/apply.cfm for information regarding required supplemental materials.
Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism | annenberg.usc.edu
MAJOR FOREIGN
LANG.
Communication ✓ The best preparation for an Annenberg major is progress toward completing the USC General Education program
and having at least one level of a foreign language completed. You may transfer in a maximum of 64 units of
Journalism ✓ credit for all majors.
Public Relations ✓ In addition:
• Submit a letter of recommendation from a college instructor or college academic adviser.
• Include in the USC Writing Supplement a 250-word Statement of Intent that explains your educational and career
interests and why USC Annenberg is the best match for you.
• Communication Applicants: Communication courses taken at another college or university will not count toward
the Communication major.
• Journalism and Public Relations Applicants: You may transfer in a maximum of 12 units of advertising,
journalism and public relations courses for elective credit only.
• Please visit annenberg.usc.edu/Prospective/Admission.aspx for the complete Annenberg transfer guidelines.
Kaufman School of Dance | kaufman.usc.edu
MAJOR FOREIGN
LANG.
Dance (BFA) In addition to the Common Application, all applicants are required to submit the Kaufman School Supplement, which
includes a pre-screening video, a dance resumé and photographs, via SlideRoom. The deadline to apply is December 1.
Select students will be invited to audition live.
Please visit kaufman.usc.edu/admission for complete details.
Please note that although current USC and transfer students are welcome to apply, the BFA program requires four
years to complete at USC.
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry | dentistry.usc.edu
MAJOR FOREIGN REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION (USC course numbers listed)
LANG.
Dental Hygiene The Dental Hygiene Supplemental Application is required and can be downloaded from dentistry.usc.edu/programs/
dental-hygiene/how-to-apply. The deadline is February 1.
Prerequisites for admission into the Dental School include courses comparable to:
BISC 120L (General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution); CHEM 105ab (General Chemistry I and II);
PSYC 100 (Introduction to Psychology); SOCI 200 (Introduction to Sociology)
These courses must be taken prior to enrolling at USC. Please contact the School of Dentistry or visit our website
14 for a complete list of requirements.Majors that require a third-level foreign language are indicated with a checkmark in the “Foreign Lang.” column. Majors that have other foreign
language requirements are indicated with an asterisk (*) in the “Foreign Lang.” column.
USC School of Dramatic Arts | dramaticarts.usc.edu
MAJOR FOREIGN
LANG.
Theatre (B.A.) ✓ All undergraduate transfer applicants must submit a supplemental application via
https://uscdramaticarts.slideroom.com.
Theatre (BFA)
BFA applicants will be expected to schedule an audition or portfolio interview for admission consideration.
Viterbi School Of Engineering | viterbiadmission.usc.edu
FOREIGN
MAJOR LANG.
Computer Science A typical Computer Science applicant has completed the following:
MATH 125 (Calculus I); MATH 126 (Calculus II) and one to two semesters of a lab-based science [typically PHYS 151
(Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics & Thermodynamics), although some specializations will accept chemistry
or biology.]
Contact the Viterbi School of Engineering for detailed lower-division course suggestions for each specific major or
area of emphasis. Visit viterbiadmission.usc.edu/transfer for more detailed information and transfer course plans.
Engineering (All majors) There are nearly 30 different engineering majors and areas of emphasis with very different curricula in the junior and
senior years. Generally, the following courses are recommended:
MATH 125 (Calculus I); MATH 126 (Calculus II) and two semesters of a lab-based science such as: PHYS 151
(Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics & Thermodynamics); PHYS 152 (Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity &
Magnetism); CHEM 105A (General Chemistry I)
Students who complete Calculus II are encouraged to take more math. Contact the Viterbi School of Engineering
for detailed lower-division course suggestions for each specific major or area of emphasis. Visit viterbiadmission.usc.
edu/transfer for more detailed information and transfer course plans.
Davis School Of Gerontology | gero.usc.edu
MAJOR FOREIGN
LANG.
Human Development and Aging BISC 120 (General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution); BISC 220 (General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology);
(Health Science Track) CHEM 105ab (General Chemistry I and II); MATH 125 (Calculus I); PHYS 135ab (Physics for the Life Sciences I and II);
CHEM 322ab (Organic Chemistry I and II)
(Social Science Track) ✓ There is no foreign language requirement for the Health Science track.
Lifespan Health ✓ Students pursuing the Human Development and Aging (Social Science track) and Lifespan Health degrees must meet
a foreign language or computer programming requirement.
Keck School of Medicine | keck.usc.edu | hpdp.usc.edu
MAJOR FOREIGN
LANG.
Global Health ✓ BISC 220 (General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology); CHEM 105a (General Chemistry); ECON 203 (Principles of
Microeconomics); MATH 125 (Calculus I)
Health Promotion and ✓ BISC 120 (General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution); BISC 220 (General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology);
Disease Prevention CHEM 105a (General Chemistry); MATH 116 (Mathematics for the Social Sciences) or MATH 125 (Calculus I) (required
for pre-health students); PSYC 100 (Introduction to Psychology)
Thornton School of Music | music.usc.edu
MAJOR FOREIGN
LANG.
The B.S. in Music Industry requires four units of Economics coursework, which can be satisfied with any ECON course
Music Industry (B.S.)
number 100-499.
Music Performance: Strings (B.M.) * Strings requires two levels of the same foreign language.
Music Performance: Vocal Arts (B.M.)
* Vocal Arts requires French I, German I and Italian I; and either French II, German II or Italian II.
Other music majors do not have foreign language or prerequisite requirements.
Music (B.A.) ✓
Price School of Public Policy | priceschool.usc.edu
MAJOR FOREIGN
LANG.
Public Policy
MATH 117 (Introduction to Mathematics for Business and Economics) and ECON 203 (Principles of Microeconomics)
Real Estate Development
Urban Studies and Planning
15Planning
Your Transfer
Transfer Credit Policies
nits That Must
U Transfer Unit Limits Please visit arr.usc.edu/transfercredit
Be Earned at USC SC limits the transfer of credit
U for a list of standardized exams and the
Transfer students must complete in certain categories. You may course requirements they fulfill.
a minimum of 64 units in residence transfer up to:
College courses taken during high
at USC, or half the units typically • Sixty-four (64) units of credit school: We accept a maximum of 16
required for graduation. A few from other institutions, except units, included in the 32-unit combined
exceptions are noted below. where noted. maximum for AP/IB credits. These
While in residence at USC, • Four (4) units each of English courses must be taught by college
you are also expected to: as a Second Language, physical faculty on a college campus, appear
• Complete all upper-division units education activity courses and on your college transcript as part of the
in your major and minor. music ensemble courses. regular college curriculum and must not
• Eight (8) units of dance. be applied to your high school diploma.
• Complete WRIT 340, a minimum of
They can fulfill General Education
two Core Literacy GE courses, and • Twelve (12) units of physical
requirements, but they cannot fulfill
any remaining General Education education theory courses.
the Writing or Foreign Language
courses not taken before entering USC. • Sixteen (16) units of individual requirements nor receive
• Take all your fall- and spring-semester instruction in music. equivalence to USC courses.
courses for credit at USC. Courses • Other studio and performing
may be taken at other institutions arts classes are also limited. Courses/Units That
only during summer sessions, with Check with an advisor. May Transfer
limitations. Courses in these categories will be
Exceptions Courses/Units That considered by petition, and credit is
• Engineering “3-2” Program: Students Will Transfer granted on a case-by-case basis. Be
sure to keep copies of course syllabi,
must complete a minimum of 48 units Accredited courses: Coursework
exams and papers, as we may ask for
in residence at USC. Two-thirds of completed at, or degrees from, U.S.
these in making our determination.
any transferable coursework must be institutions accredited by the six regional
completed at one of USC’s four-year accrediting agencies are generally Nontraditional formats/time frames:
partner institutions. accepted. Coursework completed at Distance-learning, online courses,
international post-secondary institutions concentrated “intensive” sessions,
•B
achelor of Architecture: Students approved by the local Ministry of special weekend modules, and other
must earn at least 80 units at USC. Education as degree-granting nontraditional course formats and
A maximum of 70 of the transferable institutions may also transfer. time frames.
units for this program may be earned
elsewhere. Advanced Placement (AP), Please note that elective units only
International Baccalaureate — not equivalence to USC courses
(IB) and other standardized or fulfillment of requirements — are
examinations: We accept granted for foreign language and
a maximum of 32 units for laboratory science courses taught via
standardized examinations. distance learning, TV, or in an online
or correspondence course.
16Life and work experience: Including Your transfer GPA is different from
portfolio work, continuing education, the GPA earned in courses you take
equivalency examination units, and at USC. The transfer GPA and your
courses offered by business and USC GPA are kept separate until it is
governmental agencies (even if evaluated time to determine if you are eligible to
by the American Council on Education). graduate and earn graduation honors,
as described in the USC Catalogue.
Placement exams: Courses and/
or unit credits awarded by another
Academic Standards
institution for placement examinations
and Requirements
or credit by exam.
The USC Catalogue is the document
Remedial/college preparatory/ of authority on policy matters, and it
personal development: Including changes from time to time. It provides
mathematics courses below the complete information about academic
level of college-level algebra. standards governing coursework taken
(Intermediate Algebra, USC’s minimum at other colleges, as well as specific
Nontraditional courses at four-year requirements for your major field.
math requirement for admission,
colleges: Independent study, directed Please visit catalogue.usc.edu
is not transferable.)
study, internships and extension for the most current version.
courses accepted by their institutions in Nontraditional formats at two-
fulfillment of the baccalaureate degree. year colleges: Including independent
study, directed study, correspondence
Military: Courses completed through courses, internships and travel courses.
the U.S. Armed Services.
Graduate-level courses:
Graduate-level coursework taken by
Courses/Units That undergraduate students.
Will Not Transfer
Unaccredited institutions: Determining Your
Coursework or degrees completed Transfer GPA
at U.S. institutions not accredited by
USC calculates your transfer GPA
a regional accrediting agency.
on the basis of your grades in all
Low grades: Courses in which your USC-transferable courses, including
grade was less than C– (1.7). grades of D and below. Plus and minus
grading is taken into account. Expired
No degree credit: College extension incompletes, unofficial withdrawals
courses and courses taken at and missing grades are treated as an
international institutions not credited “F.” Credit/No Credit and Pass/No
toward a degree at that college. Pass marks are not included in the
transfer GPA.
Areas of study not offered by
USC does not honor other colleges’
USC: These include agriculture,
academic “renewal” or “forgiveness”
business office procedures, hotel
programs that permit students to improve
management, food services, industrial
a substandard grade. If you repeat a
mechanics, interior design, fire science,
transferable course for which you earned
forestry, police academy, and similar
a grade of D+ or lower, both grades will be
professional and technical programs.
included in your transfer GPA. If the grade
Duplicated material: An AP exam and on the first course was a C- or higher, only
IB exam or college course covering the the first grade is included.
same material.
17Resources
Financial Aid
USC administers one of the largest financial aid programs in the United States,
with a long tradition of meeting the USC-determined financial need
of applicants who satisfy all eligibility requirements and deadlines. In the
2016–2017 academic year, more than $540 million in financial aid was
provided from all sources to more than 12,500 undergraduate students.
Merit scholarships and need-based grants are awarded
2017–2018 on the basis of academic merit and/or demonstrated
Estimate of Undergraduate Costs need and do not need to be repaid.
Tuition $53,448
The USC Payment Plan and other payment options
Fees $875
are also available. Please visit sfs.usc.edu for
Room and board $14,886
more information.
Books and supplies $1,200
Personal and miscellaneous $1,324
Transportation $540
Total $72,273
(Add $350 New Student Fee for your first semester.)
Undergraduate financial aid includes federal, state
and university need-based grants, merit scholarships,
Federal Work-Study, and loans* for students and parents. NET PRICE CALCULATOR
Find out if you might qualify for need-based financial aid.
Nearly two-thirds of USC undergraduates receive some Visit our Net Price Calculator to receive an estimate of
form of financial aid, most of it in the form of your cost, based on your family’s financial circumstances.
financialaid.usc.edu/npc
gift aid, which does not need to be repaid.
To apply for financial aid, you must submit the Free
* Federal student loans are required by law to provide a range
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and of flexible repayment options, including but not limited to,
the CSS PROFILE. Transfer students must apply Income-Based Repayment and Income-Contingent Repayment
plans, and loan forgiveness benefits, which other student loans
by March 2, 2018, to be considered for all funding are not required to provide. Direct Loans are available to students
available and to ensure timely notification of their regardless of income.
financial aid eligibility.
18Learn More
A number of resources are available for transfer students, including housing,
the Veterans Resource Center, and Academic Counseling Services, which can
help ease the transition to life at USC.
USC Veterans Resource Center
Visit USC Through an array of affiliated services and programs,
the USC Veterans Resource Center helps ease the
Transfer Information Sessions transition to USC for military veterans. Services range
These one-hour presentations by our admission from academic and career counseling, to financial aid
counselors provide information about the and veteran benefits information, to religious life.
application process, transfer credit policies For more information, please visit campusactivities.
and academic programs. Question-and-answer usc.edu/veterans.
sessions follow. Transfer Information Sessions
are held on Tuesday afternoons. Academic Counseling Services
Transfer Days Housed within the Office of Undergraduate Programs,
These comprehensive half-day programs include Academic Counseling Services (ACS) provides additional
presentations about the admission process, advising and academic support to all USC undergraduate
transfer credit, financial aid and academic students. Students who need academic advising are
programs; a campus tour; and group meetings encouraged to meet with their departmental major
with representatives of academic departments advisor first. However, ACS advisors can help transfer
(if available). Transfer Days are generally held students identify challenges in their transition to USC
monthly from September through January. and any obstacles to academic success.
Reservations are required for all programs. Visit During the academic year, Academic Counseling
admission.usc.edu/transfervisit to reserve your space.
Services also sponsors TransferMation, a series of one-
hour workshops designed to highlight opportunities for
Housing transfer students to maximize their USC experience.
Most USC students prefer to live near campus. Although For more information, please visit undergrad.usc.edu/
university-owned housing may be available, housing for services/counseling.
transfer students is not guaranteed and many students
choose to rent privately owned apartments nearby.
Visit housing.usc.edu to learn more.
19You can also read
