Undergraduate Degrees

Bachelor of Science

The School of Business Administration offers curricula leading to the undergraduate degree Bachelor of Science with a major in Business Administration or Accounting. Information on graduate and dual degree programs is contained in this catalogue in the Graduate School of Business Administration section.

The curricular requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree fall into two parts: lower division (first and second years) and upper division (third and fourth years).

In the first two years, all students share a common curriculum designed primarily to provide a sound general education in basic liberal arts subjects. In addition, students complete prerequisite courses that form the foundation for upper division course work in business. In the last two years, students devote most of their study to the field of business.

Sometimes there are legitimate reasons for exceptions to the policies, rules and procedures. A petition process for the university and the school exists to handle requests for such exceptions. To keep misunderstandings to a minimum, a student should ask for written and signed statements to be placed in the student's file.

Admission

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

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 these standards will not necessarily be denied admission. Historically, students with an overall GPA of 2.75 have been competitive. In addition, 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 Affairs Office, Bridge Hall 104, (213) 740-0690, for advisement and assistance in planning a program that will satisfy general education requirements and prerequisites required for admission.

The School of Business offers two degrees: the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and the Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Students who are admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Business and, at a later date, wish to change to the Bachelor of Science in Accounting, should contact the School of Accounting. If the minimum grade requirements of the School of Accounting are met, a change of degree request will be approved. Students admitted to the B.S. in Accounting who wish to change to the B.S. in Business should also contact the School of Business Administration Admissions Office, Bridge Hall 105, for the official change in degree objective.

Advisement

Academic advisement is provided through the School of Business Administration Student Affairs Office in Bridge Hall 104, (213) 740-0690. 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 in Bridge Hall 104. 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.

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