Undergraduate Degree Programs
Graduate Degree Programs
Dual Degree Programs

USC is a major university providing diverse academic programs. As such it has evolved into a complex organization. The basic underlying principle in its organization is simple: groups of faculty with similar areas of knowledge and interest are grouped together to form departments or schools. These units work together in determining the courses to be offered, requirements for degrees, and the content and rationale underlying their curricula.

In practice, the organization becomes more complex. Certain areas of study are based on broad areas of knowledge which need to draw faculty from several departments. To provide students with the necessary breadth of study, courses to fulfill general education requirements are drawn from many schools. The following list of undergraduate and graduate degrees provides a guide to the organization of USC. The index includes all degrees offered, and the school which administers the degree.

The basic undergraduate degrees are the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science. Students may obtain these degrees in a variety of majors. Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees require a standardized program of general education. More specialized degrees, such as a Bachelor of Music, require more undergraduate study devoted to professional training.

The basic graduate degrees are the Master of Arts, Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy. The Master of Arts degree is normally given for study in the humanities and social sciences. These degrees fall under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School.

The Master of Science degree is normally given for study confined exclusively to the natural sciences. Many of the Master of Science degree programs and several specialized master's degree programs are under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School.

Other master's degrees are granted by USC for proficiency in professional fields. These professional master's degrees are not under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School.

Each school may provide programs for several types of degree objectives in similar areas of study. For example, the School of Music provides curricula for the Master of Arts with a major in music theory and also offers Master of Music degree programs. These many shades of distinction between the types of degrees offered are to provide flexibility to students. Students must select degree objectives based on consideration of what will best prepare them for the career or further study they wish to pursue.

While many schools provide curricula leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree, all Doctor of Philosophy degrees are under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. All Ph.D. candidates must meet the standards of scholarship and other regulations established by the Graduate School. Other doctorates, which prepare students for leadership and expert service in certain fields of science, art and public welfare, are under the jurisdiction of the several schools. Professional doctorates, which are not given under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School, include: Doctor of Dental Surgery, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Musical Arts, Doctor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Public Administration and the Juris Doctor.

University Certificates

In addition to the degree programs listed in the index, the university also offers a number of graduate certificate programs. The specific requirements for each certificate are included in the appropriate school's section.

Area of Emphasis

An Area of Emphasis is a specific focus within a major. Areas of Emphasis are listed within parentheses following the appropriate majors and do not appear on diplomas but are indicated on transcripts.

Combined Program

A combined program is an organized set of requirements from two academic units in a single degree program that combines two majors. Examples are: Linguistics/Psychology, Physics/Computer Science, Biomedical/Electrical Engineering, and Journalism/Russian.

Double Major Within the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

A double major consists of two majors which allow the student to earn the same degree, either a B.A. or B.S. degree, within the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. The College of Letters, Arts and Sciences offers two kinds of majors, "departmental" and "interdepartmental". A double major may consist of two departmental majors, two interdepartmental majors, or one departmental and one interdepartmental major. All double majors require a minimum of 12 upper division courses. Some upper division courses may count for both majors. For double departmental majors two upper division courses may count toward both majors. For departmental and interdepartmental majors, three upper division courses may count toward both majors. For double interdepartmental majors, one upper division course from each area of concentration may count toward the other major; two additional upper division courses must be taken from outside either concentration (but within the same interdepartmental area) and will count for both majors. In all double majors, students must complete general education requirements for both majors (most general education requirements may serve for both). The student receives one diploma noting both majors.

Dual Degree

A dual degree is one that has course work from two schools or two different degree programs within the same school which has been organized into a single program. For listings of accelerated dual degrees and graduate dual degrees, see below. The student receives two diplomas.

Second Bachelor's Degree

A second bachelor's degree requires a minimum of 32 additional units. For some degrees more than the 32 additional units may be needed because all requirements for both degrees must be met. Also, the residence requirement for a second bachelor's degree applies, which requires 32 units applicable to the degree beyond the number of units required for the first USC bachelor's degree to be completed in residence (see the policy on residence requirement for a second bachelor's degree). The student receives a separate diploma for each degree upon completion.

Minor Programs

In addition to the degree programs listed, many academic units offer minor programs. A list of minors appears after the list of undergraduate degrees. The requirements for each minor are listed in the appropriate school section. See Requirements for Graduation section for more detailed information about minor programs.

The Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Programs List

All degrees are listed alphabetically by the school which provides the program for the degree objective. All degrees are listed alphabetically in the index at the end of this catalogue. Areas of emphasis do not appear on diplomas but are indicated on transcripts.

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