USC Office of Articulation
Information For Spring Admits About Transfer Courses
To Be Taken Before Entering USC
Which courses transfer for credit to USC?
For general information about transfer policies, see Transferring to USC , pages 8-13.
Can transfer courses satisfy my general graduation requirements at USC?
Yes, transfer courses you take after graduating from high school and before entering USC may fulfill most of the “USC Core”:
For more information about the USC Core, see the USC Catalogue.
How can I find out what transfers to USC from schools in California?
The Articulation Office homepage has articulation agreements with most California community colleges which state exactly what credit courses will receive. Admissions recommends that you attend a two-year school in the fall. There are also articulation histories with several four-year schools.
What if I’m not taking courses at one of those California colleges?
First, look at Transferring to USC, which gives guidelines for determining whether a course transfers for elective credit and fulfills a graduation requirement.
Second, speak with your Admission counselor, who may be able to provide information from our database of courses that have already transferred from the college you plan to attend. You can identify your counselor, with contact information, on the Admissions Counselor page , or call Admissions at (213) 740-1111.
Third, if you need more specific advice, fill out a paper Pre-approval form. List the course(s) you want to take and state what you want it to earn (including GE or the lower-division writing requirement; please note that the form is intended for USC students, who cannot earn GE or writing equivalence after starting USC). You do not need to complete the second page. Fax the first page to Degree Progress at (213)740-6292, or mail it to:
University of Southern California
Degree Progress, JHH 010
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0912
Please write “Spring Admit pre-approval” near the top of the form. The response to your request will be mailed to the student’s permanent address on file with USC. We cannot guarantee a response within the 10-15 days stated on the pre-approval form, but we will work on your request as quickly as possible.
What courses should I take that would apply to my USC major?
Requirements for majors are described in the USC Catalogue. Most departments prefer that students take “USC Core” requirements and courses preparatory to the major (if relevant) before coming, and take major course work at USC.
Can I transfer study abroad courses?
Possibly, but not all overseas programs transfer to USC. Please submit a paper pre-approval and include information about the program and your courses.
How about online courses?
USC does not grant equivalence for language courses or science lab courses taught via distance education or online; distance education courses in other subjects are acceptable.