Majors

Students in the college may major in a single basic discipline or combine several interests in an interdisciplinary program.

Selecting a Major

A major may be chosen because the student is especially interested in a subject, because of particular abilities in certain areas, or because it is an especially fitting preparation for a profession. The choice of a major may thus become part of planning for a career. But a choice in the college will not usually limit the student to a single career or line of work. Liberal arts majors are unusually adaptable; they are suitable preparations for many careers.

A student may declare a major at any time, but is expected to record his or her major in the Office of Academic Records and Registrar at or before the beginning of the junior year or completion of 64 units. This allows sufficient time, without undue pressure, to fulfill the course requirements of the major in the student’s third and fourth years. For some majors, however, and especially for a major in one of the natural sciences aiming for the B.S. degree, it will be advantageous to declare the major sooner, so the program may be paced over the full four years.

Changing a Major

If, after a major has been declared, the student wishes to change to a different field (or add another field of study to the existing one), a Change of Major form must be filed. The form may be obtained in the College Academic Services Office or the Student Administrative Services Building. The form must be completed and returned to the Office of Academic Records and Registrar. When a major is changed, the current department advisor and the new department advisor must both sign the form.

Types of Majors and Major Requirements

Departmental Major (B.A. or B.S. Degree) A departmental major for the B.A. degree consists of specified lower division courses and, generally, not less than 24 or more than 32 upper division units in a single department or discipline. A greater concentration of units in a single discipline is usually required in majors for the B.S. degree than in majors for the B.A. degree.

To ensure that the department major has the units and consistency necessary for purposeful study, departmental approval must be obtained for the courses that comprise the major. At least one-half of the upper-division courses used in the major must be taken at USC; the specific requirements for each department major will be found in the departmental sections of this catalogue.

Interdepartmental Majors

Humanities or Social Sciences Major (B.A. Degree) A Humanities or Social Sciences major consists of not less than 32 upper division units within departments in the humanities or departments in the social sciences. Of the 32 required upper division units for the interdepartmental major, 20 are typically taken in one department, and the additional 12 units are taken from applicable courses in the area in which the department of concentration is housed. See the departmental listing for more specific requirements for the interdepartmental major, including lower division requirements.

Physical Sciences Major (B.S. Degree) The departments of Chemistry, Earth Sciences, and Physics and Astronomy, cooperating with one another, offer a physical sciences major in the natural sciences and mathematics. The major requires specific lower division courses in chemistry, earth sciences, mathematics, physics and astronomy and 28 upper division units of major courses in the four departments. Of the 28 required upper division units, at least four units must be taken in each of the four cooperating departments.

Program Major (B.A. or B.S. Degree) A program major consists of designated courses and not less than 24 upper division units chosen from the list of courses which make up the program. The college has a number of special programs, many of which offer majors.

Because programs are often organized around the study of a region or a topic, and hence are not specific to any single discipline, or because two or more disciplines have joined to deal with a common problem, most program majors are interdisciplinary. An interdisciplinary major offers unusual range to students who have topical interests. Specific requirements for all program majors are listed under the program titles.

Double Major (B.A./B.A. or B.S./B.S.) 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. The student must complete the requirements for both majors and whatever other course work is needed to complete 128 units. Combinations of interdepartmental and department majors are also possible. See rules governing the overlap of courses allowed for a double major and rules governing general education requirements.

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. Refer to the list of dual degrees and graduate dual degrees. The student receives two diplomas.

Second Bachelor's Degree

A second bachelor’s degree requires a minimum of 32 additional units. In some degrees more than the 32 additional units may be needed because all requirements of both degrees must be met. Also, the residence requirement for a second bachelor’s degree 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.

Substitution for Major Requirements

If a student wishes an adjustment to the major requirements in his or her department or program, the department advisor can make a change through a Memorandum of Internal Substitution; it is not necessary to petition the Committee on Academic Policies and Procedures (CAPP) for such an alteration. Both USC course substitutions and the substitution of accepted transfer work in the major field of study for specific USC requirements can be accommodated within the department.

Unit Limitation

There is an established limit of 40 upper division units in any major. A student wishing to exceed the limit must obtain the approval of the department in a memo of internal substitution with the final endorsement of the dean of curriculum and instruction.

Basic Requirement for a Degree from the College

For those undergraduate students earning a degree in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, a minimum of 104 units applicable to the degree must be earned in college academic departments. For students graduating with a minor, this minimum is reduced to 96 units. Other exceptions will be considered by the dean of curriculum and instruction in the college.

Students who are completing major degree programs in a professional school, but whose degree is conferred by the college, are exempt from this policy.

This policy also applies to transferable courses.

Units Required Each Semester

The student is expected to complete about 16 units each semester; 18 units are generally considered to be the maximum number in a manageable program. If the student wants to enroll in more than 18 units, he or she may do so, but should consult first with the academic advisor.

Grade Point Average Requirement

A grade point average of at least C (2.0) on all units attempted at USC is required for undergraduate degrees. The college requires a minimum 2.0 grade point average in upper division major courses. Some departments require grades of C or higher in specified courses. A grade point average of at least 3.0 on all units attempted at USC is required for master’s degrees. A grade point average of at least B (3.0) on all units attempted at USC is required for doctoral degrees.