Transferring Coursework
Incoming Transfer Students
Students who are admitted to the USC Viterbi School of Engineering as a transfer student should review the policies available under
Transfer Student Admission. Please note that the courses incoming transfer students are able to bring in to USC are different than the courses listed below for continuing USC students. Be sure to contact the USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s transfer admission staff to discuss your particular situation.
Current USC Students
General forms and information for current USC students wishing to transfer in coursework are available through the
Articulation Office.
The following steps must be completed by current USC students who are interested in transferring in classes (e.g summer courses at other institutions):
- Consult with an Academic Advisor in Engineering Admission and Student Affairs and obtain a Transfer Credit Pre-Approval Form.
- For California Community Colleges, refer to Articulation Agreements with these institutions to determine transferability of courses.
- Complete a Transfer Credit Pre-Approval Form. For four-year or out of-state colleges and universities, you must also attach course descriptions and/or course syllabi. This form should be turned in 3 weeks prior to the start of the class.
- After completion of your summer course work, submit an official transcript of your transfer work to USC. To ensure your paperwork is processed correctly, have an official transcript mailed to your home and then hand-deliver it (unopened) to Degree Progress.
Residency Requirements and Transfer Limitations
Keep in mind there are several restrictions current USC students must abide by when transferring courses to USC. All of the guidelines set forth by USC’s residency policies must be followed.
Under the USC Residency Requirements students must complete a minimum number of units while at USC. Students are also limited in the number of course units they can transfer to USC for degree credit.
The following residency requirements are set forth by the University:
- A minimum of 64 units toward the bachelor's degree must be earned in residence at USC.
For students who are in our 3-2 Program, at least 48 units must be earned in residence.
- Once you have matriculated to USC, ONLY transfer work that appears on a transfer institution's transcript for a summer term will be accepted. Coursework taken during any fall, winter, or spring term is not transferable. In addition, no GE's may be transferred after enrolling at USC.
- The USC transfer unit limitation allows you to earn a maximum of 64 units of credit toward a bachelor's degree from other accredited institutions. In addition, students must abide by other transfer limitations.
- After completion of 64 college-level units (including transfer work, AP/IB, and USC course work) applicable to the undergraduate degree, no more than 8 additional units may be transferred to USC, provided the units do not exceed the 64-unit transfer limitation.
How This Applies to Engineering Students
As described above, GE courses cannot be transferred to USC once a student has started attending classes here. Unless it is an exceptional circumstance, upper-division (300- and 400-level) classes cannot be transferred to USC. In addition, most engineering classes are not transferable.
Typically, current USC engineering students might be able to transfer in their math classes (except for any 400-level math classes), and chemistry and/or physics classes. Also, computer programming is sometimes transferable. Please see
“An Engineer’s Guide to Transferring Coursework to USC” for more information on transferable courses for engineers.
Any student planning on transferring in summer coursework must meet with an academic advisor about those courses because each student’s situation is unique.
Receiving Credit for AP / IB Exams
