Frequently Asked Questions By Graduate Students
How do I register for classes?
After you have chosen your classes and checked for pre-requisites and placement exams, you can obtain departmental clearance (D-clearance) in KAP-214 or by Fax (213) 740-8662. You need D-clearance for courses that end in “D” (Example: 34123D). For courses that end in “R” (Example: 34123R) you may register directly if you have passed the pre-requisites. Once you have D-clearance you can register on-line or in person at the registration office. Return to index
What is a D-Clearance?
D-Clearance stands for Departmental Clearance and it is required for courses at the university designated in the Schedule of Classes as “D.” You must obtain CEE D-Clearance from KAP-214 BEFORE you register for classes. Other course D-Clearance must be obtained in each home department as indicated in the Schedule of Classes. D-Clearance gives you permission to register; it does NOT reserve a seat for you in a class. If a class requires D-Clearance, remember to include the discussion or lab section in your request and remember to register before the D-Clearance expires (usually one week).
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I got D-clearance, but when I register it says the class is full. Why can’t I get the class?
D-clearance gives you permission to register, however it does NOT reserve a seat for you in the class. If the class is full, there are two things you can do:
- Talk to the professor teaching the class to see if you can register for his class even though it is full.
- Contact Registration about a wait-list.
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What happens after I put my name on the wait-list for a class? Follow-up with Registration to find out your wait-list status.
What if all the courses are full?
For all MS and PhD students we guarantee all 400-level courses. The specific Professor or time will not be guaranteed. For 500-level courses we make every effort to accommodate our students but we recommend that students register early.
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If a professor gives me permission to register for a class that is already full or after classes have started, what do I need to do?
First you must pick up an Add/Drop Form (available in the Registration Office). Once you fill out the form and indicate which course you would like to add, you must obtain the professor’s signature for that course. Then, you must bring the signed form to KAP 214 to get D-Clearance. Next, you must register for the class in-person at the Registration Office. When registering for a class that is already full, you are not allowed to register online, ONLY at the Registration office.
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Can I take classes even if I am not enrolled as a full-time student?
If you are a domestic student and have not been denied admission by USC, you may take classes as a limited-status student. To do this you must fill out an application available in the Registration Office. You can apply a maximum of 12 units taken as a limited-status student towards a degree program at the university if you are admitted in a later semester.
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Can I register for a less than minimum course load (< 8 units)?
To apply for a less-than-minimum load, international students go to the Office of International Services (OIS) in STU 300 and obtain the less than minimum application. Then see Margery Berti in OHE 332 for approval to take less than the minimum load (8 units for international students, 1 unit for domestic students). For domestic students, please see Irene Soloff (KAP 214).
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What is a conditional admit (ADM 20) and how do I get it removed?
If you received a conditional admit with your letter of acceptance, you must fulfill this condition within the specified time, usually before your second semester. To get this removed, you must meet with Irene Soloff in KAP 212 during her office hours (Monday – Friday, 10am – 12pm).
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Who is my advisor?
Master’s students are not assigned an academic advisor. All faculty are available for academic advisement during their office hours. Office hours are posted outside of KAP 214. We strongly encourage all students to plan their 27 unit program with faculty feedback and suggestions. For administrative questions you may seek advisement in KAP 214 (Monday-Friday, 10am-12pm).
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How do I get Financial Aid? Who can I talk to about Financial Aid?
Financial aid in the department comes in the form of research (RA) and teaching (TA) assistantships and is reserved primarily for PhD students. All new applicants to the PhD program are automatically considered for financial aid. RAs are chosen by faculty. Check for financial aid opportunities posted by faculty members and discuss it with them during technical advisement. The staff in KAP 214 can explain in more detail should you have questions.
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How do I apply for Financial Aid once I am a current student?
The department may select current students as TAs on a temporary basis. If you have any questions please come to KAP 214.
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Where do I need to go if I have questions about housing?
Information about University housing can be obtained at http://housing.usc.edu or at the Housing Services Office in Parking Structure X. Their phone number is (213) 740-2546. Non-University owned housing is also available, but it is the student's responsibility to find this type of housing.
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What is OASIS and how do I log into my OASIS account?
OASIS is a student information system that includes grade reports, a registered course list, financial aid reports and other important information. New students need to enter their 10-digit ID number and password (this is already pre-set as your birthday (MM/DD/YY)).
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Can I transfer courses from another university? How do I transfer courses?
Master's students may transfer a total of 4 units from another university with an advisor's approval, as long as the courses were completed before enrolling at USC. You must go to the Office of Degree Progress in the basement of JHH and request a printout of the courses that are transferable from your previous school. Fill out a Transfer Course Credit Request Form (available in KAP 214 or on www.usc.edu/cee), and take both forms to a faculty advisor.
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I want to take a course but there is a prerequisite. If I have already taken the prerequisite course at a different university, can I get it waived?
You may waive a pre-requisite if you have taken an equivalent course at another university and there is no Placement Exam offered for the pre-requisite course. To get the course waived, please fill out the Prerequisite Course Waiver Form (available in KAP 214 or online), and ask the professor of the course for approval. Take this form to KAP214 when you request D-clearance. If the class has a placement exam, you MUST take the exam. NO EXCEPTIONS!
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Do I need to take the TOEFL?
If you are an international student and you have graduated from an American university, you do not need to take the TOEFL. ALI (American Language Institute) monitors and examines the English speaking ability of all international students. Students who do not have TOEFL scores or who have a TOEFL score less than 600 are required to take an English exam offered by ALI. Students will then be waived or placed in appropriate English classes according to ability. The CEE Department will waive your ALI assignments only if your TOEFL scores are higher than or equal to 580/237/92 (Paper/Computer/Internet).
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How to waive ALI course requirements?
The Department will waive your ALI requirements if you achieve the minimum TOEFL score of 580 for the paper-based TOEFL, 237 for the computer-based TOEFL, or 92 for the internet-based TOEFL. When your TOEFL scores equal or exceed these minima, your ALI requirements, if any, will be automatically waived. If your scores are lower than these minima, you must comply with the ALI remedial courses, or improve your TOEFL by retaking the TOEFL exam. There is no exception.
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What are the ALI/TOEFL requirements for Teaching Assistants?
Teaching Assistants are subjected to more stringent language requirements than other students because they have to communicate with other students in the classrooms. All TAs are required to take
American Language Institute (ALI) placement tests, and depending on their grade at these placement tests, may have to take additional ALI courses.
Additional information can be obtained from ALI website. If you are not a English native speaker, you need to obtain a minimum TOEFL score of 600 to qualify for a TAship. That minimum score is higher than the 580 TOEFL score, which qualifies other graduate students for ALI course exemption. Please note that having a high TOEFL score does not exempt TAs from taking the placement test and following ALI requirements for TAs.
How do I get Directed Research?
In order to get Directed Research the student must FIRST contact a professor in the area the student wishes to conduct research. Once a professor agrees to take the student, the student must obtain a Graduate Advisement form from KAP 214, get it signed by the professor and bring it back to KAP 214 to obtain a D-Clearance.
What is DEN?
DEN is the Distance Education Network. Most 400 & 500-level EE courses are webcast by a special office in the School of Engineering called DEN. Each course offered by DEN has two sections with different class numbers, indicated as OHE 100 (for on-campus students) and OFF CAMPUS (for off campus students). There is a $500 service charge associated with every off campus section of the class. This service charge provides for administrative support for students not in the Los Angeles area. If you are an on campus student please be sure to register for the on campus section (OHE 100) so as not to be charged the additional fee. Visit the DEN website http://den.usc.edu for more information.
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