Undergraduate Degree

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting (B.S.) degree combines a general background in business with eight upper level accounting courses to provide for successful entry into the accounting profession. The B.S. degree in accounting also prepares students for entry into the professional program leading to a Master of Accounting degree.

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting is a 130-credit program. The curricular requirements fall into two parts: lower division (first and second years) and upper division (third and fourth years).

In the first two years, accounting students share with all business students a curriculum designed primarily to provide a sound general education in basic liberal arts subjects. In the last two years, the students devote their study to business and accounting subjects.

Admission

Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Accounting program is granted through the School of Business Administration. In order for students to develop a sound liberal arts foundation and to encourage an exploration of a wide range of majors, freshmen, except as noted below, are not generally admitted directly to the School of Business Administration. Usually, students are admitted to the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences as "pre-business" majors, although this is not a prerequisite for admission to the business school in the junior year.

All pre-business majors are expected to complete at least one prerequisite requirement each semester until admitted to the School of Business Administration. Students who fail to do so may be prevented from registering for future semesters until they meet with an academic advisor. Pre-business students are also expected to begin their math requirements during their freshman year and, at the very least, complete MATH 117 by the end of the first year with a grade of C or better. Students who successfully complete the prerequisites (COMP 101 and 102; MATH 117, 118, 218; ECON 203 and 205; and PDP 101x) with a minimum GPA of 3.25 (A = 4.0) and maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 can apply for the business major and will be accepted to the program. Students who do not meet the criteria will not necessarily be denied admission. Other factors, such as leadership, community service, work experience and involvement in extracurricular activities, are taken into consideration.

A student applying directly to the School of Business Administration as a transfer from another institution will be more competitive with a 3.0 GPA. Transfer students will be admissible without having completed the equivalent of MATH 218 since most colleges do not offer this course. These students will be expected to complete this course during their first semester of enrollment.

All questions regarding eligibility, admissions criteria or the admissions process should be directed to the School of Business Administration Admissions Office, Bridge Hall 105, (213) 740-8885.

Students who have not been admitted to the School of Business Administration may complete a maximum of 20 business units at USC. No further course work may be taken until admitted. Students who complete the maximum number of units without gaining admission to the school will be advised to select another major.

Students are encouraged to consult the school's Undergraduate Student Services Office, Accounting 101, for advisement and assistance in planning a program that will satisfy both sets of general education requirements and prerequisites required for admission.

Early Admissions Program
The Early Admissions Program allows certain students to be admitted directly into the school as freshmen. Admission to this program is based on scholastic merit reflected in combined SAT scores and high school GPA. Students qualifying for admission to this program are notified by letter following submission of their normal USC application, where business was indicated as their intended major. In addition, students admitted through this program are permitted to take certain business courses in their freshman and sophomore years.

Advisement

Academic advisement is provided through the School of Accounting Student Services Office in Accounting 101, (213) 740-4838. Pre-business and business students will be required to meet with an academic advisor before registering and this requirement will be in effect until 24 USC units are completed. However, all students are encouraged to see an academic advisor on a regular basis. A record of each student is kept on file. Appointments for advisement may be scheduled at most times during the academic year. However, during busy times such as the preregistration, registration and drop/add periods, advisors may be available on a walk-in basis only.

Registration

Students may register for business courses directly by using the Touch-Tone system, according to their scheduled appointment times. Appointment times are based on class standing, i.e., seniors have the first opportunity to register for a course. Therefore, it is important that admitted students register as soon as their appointment time allows or their priority standing will be lost.

There is a high demand for all required business classes as well as many electives. As a result, the School of Business Administration maintains wait lists for all classes. Students may be put on this wait list in Bridge Hall 104. However, students may not be on a wait list for one section of a course and enroll in another section of the same course. It should be noted that being on a wait list does not guarantee a seat in a class. Therefore, students are strongly advised to register in an open class whenever possible.

Many required core classes have mandatory Friday labs and students can expect that they may have a class schedule that meets up to five days a week. Outside work commitments should be planned accordingly.

Transferring College Credit

College Courses
USC has established articulation agreements with all community colleges throughout California. Most academic courses are acceptable for transfer credit from a two-year school, but students may not receive credit for specialized, technical or remedial courses. Courses that do not appear on the articulation agreement are not transferable. A maximum of 70 semester units may be transferred from community colleges. Check with the Degree Progress Department (SAS 010) for questions about transferable courses or see a counselor in Accounting 101.

Official transcripts of college work taken elsewhere must be submitted, at the time of application, to the USC Office of Admission. A credit evaluation will be completed which will list transfer courses accepted for credit. All business courses completed at a two-year college, if transferable, will be considered elective credit.

There are two exceptions to this policy. (1) Students may transfer two semesters of introductory accounting and receive credit equivalent to one semester of introductory accounting at USC. Then students can register for BUAD 305x Abridged Core Concepts of Accounting Information and complete their accounting course requirement in one semester at USC. In this case, students would not be required to take BUAD 250ab. (2) BUAD 403T may be substituted by transferring two semesters of equivalent work from a community college and passing a challenge examination.

Four Year Colleges
Most courses are acceptable for unit credit from all fully accredited four-year institutions. If they do not satisfy specific subject requirements at USC, the courses will be accepted for elective course credit.

Students are urged to complete all their required business administration courses at USC. All business courses from four-year institutions, if transferable, will be considered elective credit unless a challenge examination is passed. Only core classes, with the exception of BUAD 497, may be challenged. Students should consult with an academic advisor in Bridge Hall 104 to initiate the challenge examination process.

Grade Point Average Prerequisites for Transfer Students

Transfer students are required to meet the following grade requirements to be admitted to the School of Accounting. An average grade of B in the two transferred accounting courses and BUAD 305x (with a grade no lower than B- in BUAD 305x). Grades in accounting courses taken at other institutions will only be considered in meeting the admission requirement for the School of Accounting. Once a transfer student completes a minimum of two accounting courses at USC, the student's accounting grades at the prior institution will no longer be considered in determining whether the student meets the 2.5 grade point average standard (see Grade Point Average Prerequisites below).

In the computation of grade point averages for accounting courses taken at other colleges or universities, the courses will be weighted in terms of the number of units provided for the equivalent USC accounting courses.

Grade Point Average Prerequisites

The following are grade point average prerequisites for any undergraduate student enrolled in any accounting course. Individual instructors may not waive these standards: (1) an average grade of B or better in BUAD 250a and 250b with no grade lower than a B- (transfer students see previous section); and (2) a minimum 2.5 grade point average (A = 4.0) for all accounting courses taken previously.

In meeting the B average required in BUAD 250a and BUAD 250b, only one of the courses may be repeated. If the repeated course grade is higher, that grade will be considered in determining whether the student meets the B average, and the original course grade will be disregarded by the School of Accounting in the administration of its grade point average requirements. See Repeated Course Work at USC in the Academic Standards section of the catalogue for further restrictions on including grades in repeated courses in the overall university grade point average computation.

In computing grade point average prerequisites, BUAD 250ab or 305x, 302T and 403T will be considered accounting courses.

When a student's cumulative accounting grade point average falls below 2.5, the student is placed on probation. If a student on probation does not regain a minimum accounting cumulative GPA of 2.5 after completing the next 12 semester hours in all courses (including accounting units) attempted within the university, that student will not be permitted to continue as an accounting major in the School of Accounting. Exceptions to this policy may be granted only in unusual circumstances by the Academic Standards Committee of the School of Accounting. Decisions of the Academic Standards Committee are final.

To be removed from probationary status, a student may elect to take another accounting course or courses for which prerequisites are met or to repeat an accounting course or courses in an attempt to earn a higher grade. Regardless of the course of action taken, all courses completed will be counted in computing the cumulative accounting grade point average.

A grade of "W" in an accounting course taken while on probation will not extend probation. The probation period ends at the end of that semester during which the student completes a cumulative total of 12 semester hours of courses in any subject(s) at the university. Under no conditions will the student be permitted more than two successive semesters, including the summer semester, to complete the 12 semester hours of courses.

Graduation Standard
Students must attain a minimum 2.5 cumulative accounting grade point average (A = 4.0) to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree.

Lower Division Requirements

A total of 60 units of non-business course work is required for the B.S. degree in Accounting. Students are expected to complete their prerequisites, general education requirements and BUAD 250ab before enrolling in upper division business classes. See the sample programs that follow for scheduling suggestions. Transfer students may meet individual subject requirements with three semester units or four quarter units.

Successful completion of upper division courses where lower division courses are prerequisites does not constitute a basis for waiving the lower division courses. For example, a student who passes BUAD 306 prior to taking BUAD 250b, will not be waived from the BUAD 250b requirement.

In addition, international students working toward the business or accounting degree must take and successfully complete ALI 262 Argumentation. Exceptions to this policy may be granted by the chairman of the Business Communications Department (ACC 400).

General Education Requirements

The list of courses accepted for the areas of study requirement during the 1995-96 academic year is published in the General Education section of this catalogue. Revised lists are published each year in the General Education Addendum and the Schedule of Classes.

Skill Level, Composition
Expository Writing 101 and 102 or 111 and 112 (for non-native speakers).

Areas of Study
Two Natural World courses (from any two of the three different areas: Physical, Earth and Life Sciences)
One Literature course
One Empirical Approaches course
One Non-Western Cultures course

A total of two courses from two of the following five categories:
American Public Life, Western Culture I, Western Culture II, the Arts and Ethical Approaches

Diversity Requirement

All students who began college as freshmen in fall 1993 or later must pass one course from the list of courses approved to meet the standard diversity requirement. These courses carry the designation "m" for multiculturalism. It is possible to select a course that meets both the diversity requirement as well as a general education requirement.

Additional Lower Division Requirements (Business Prerequisites)

MATH 117x Introduction to Mathematics for Business and Economics (may be waived by placement examination)
MATH 118x Fundamental Principles of the Calculus (MATH 125 Calculus I may be substituted)
MATH 218 Probability for Business
ECON 203 Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 205 Principles of Macroeconomics
PDP 101x Introduction to Computers and Data Processing

It is recommended that the required accounting course BUAD 250ab be completed before enrolling in upper division courses; however, it does not need to be completed for admission to the School of Business Administration.

All prerequisites for business and all business courses must be taken for a letter grade.

A maximum of 24 units of undergraduate course work taken on a pass/no pass basis may be used toward the B.S. degree in Accounting. Twelve of those 24 units may be applied to the general education requirements.

Sample Lower Division Program

First Year, First Semester Units
COMP 101 Introduction to Expository Writing 4
MATH 117 Introduction to Mathematics for Business and Economics 4
General education requirement 4
General education requirement 4
____
16
First Year, Second Semester Units
COMP 102 Topics in Expository Writing 4
PDP 101x Introduction to Computers and Data Processing 4
MATH 118 Fundamental Principles of the Calculus 4
General education requirement 4
____
16
Second Year, First Semester Units
ECON 203 Principles of Microeconomics 4
MATH 218 Probability for Business 4
BUAD 250a Core Concepts of Accounting Information 4
General education requirement 4
____
16
Second Year, Second Semester Units
ECON 205 Principles of Macroeconomics 4
BUAD 250b Core Concepts of Accounting Information 4
General education requirement 8
____
16

Upper Division Requirements

In general, students will not be expected to enroll in any business subjects beyond the introductory accounting courses until the junior year. The program of required core courses is designed to provide the student with a solid foundation in the analytical tools and the organizational aspects of business in private enterprise economy.

Junior Year and Senior Year Program
Accounting majors are required to complete the following core program during their junior and senior years.

Core Program Units
BUAD 302T* Business Communication (for accounting majors) 4
BUAD 304 Organizational Behavior 4
BUAD 306 Business Finance 4
BUAD 307 Marketing Management 4
BUAD 310 Applied Business Statistics 4
BUAD 311 Applied Management Science 4
BUAD 350 Macroeconomic Analysis, or
BUAD 351 Economic Analysis for Business Decisions 4
BUAD 403T* Legal Environment of Business (for accounting majors) 4
BUAD 497 Managerial Decision-Making and Planning (for seniors only) 4
The Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree includes eight accounting courses in addition to the 10 core courses (students are required to take nine of the 10 core courses offered).
Required Accounting courses Units
BUAD 250ab Core Concepts of Accounting Information, or 4-4
BUAD 305x Abridged Core Concepts of Accounting Information 4
ACCT 350 Accounting Issues and Problem Solving 4
ACCT 351 Application of Problem Solving to Accounting Issues 4
ACCT 450ab External Financial Reporting Issues 3-3
ACCT 451ab Internal Reporting and Tax Issues 3-3
ACCT 452ab Auditing and Systems Issues 3-3

Sample Upper Division Program

First Semester, Junior Year Units
BUAD 302T* Business Communication (for accounting majors) 4
BUAD 310 Applied Business Statistics 4
ACCT 350 Accounting Issues and Problem Solving 4
ACCT 351 Application of Problem Solving to Accounting Issues 4
____
16
Second Semester, Junior Year Units
BUAD 304 Organizational Behavior 4
BUAD 311 Applied Management Science 4
ACCT 450a External Financial Reporting Issues 3
ACCT 451a Internal Reporting and Tax Issues 3
ACCT 452a Auditing and Systems Issues 3
____
17
First Semester, Senior Year Units
BUAD 306 Business Finance 4
BUAD 307 Marketing Management 4
ACCT 450b External Financial Reporting Issues 3
ACCT 451b Internal Reporting and Tax Issues 3
ACCT 452b Auditing and Systems Issues 3
____
17
Second Semester, Senior Year Units
BUAD 403T* Legal Environment of Business (for accounting majors) 4
BUAD 497 Managerial Decision-Making and Planning (for seniors only)4
BUAD 350 Business Growth and Stabilization, or
BUAD 351 Economic Analysis for Business Decisions 4
General education requirement 4
____
16
*If an accounting student has already completed the courses in a section not designated for accounting majors or has received transfer credit for BUAD 403, check with the Director, Student Services in the School of Accounting for advisement.

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Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
univpub@stuaff.usc.edu