Majors & Minors

USC's emphasis on interdisciplinary studies gives you a chance to pursue a degree that combines specializations and speaks to your interests. With 23 schools that encompass the full field of academic and professional study, USC provides one of the widest ranges of options to choose from.

Explore the core offerings in our catalog of Majors and Minors, and then review the possibilities of building an interdisciplinary major.

  • Bachelor's Degree | Linguistics

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  • Minor | Linguistics

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  • Minor | Latin American and Iberian Cultures

     

    The Luso-Brazilian Studies minor offers students the opportunity to further the study of the Portuguese language and take significant steps toward its mastery both as a richly layered expressive tool in the contexts of literary and cultural analysis and in the interpretation and articulation of critical thinking, as well as a highly effective instrument tailored to the practical needs of business interactions in a world that is increasingly more diverse and globalized.

    Building on a solid basis of four semesters of Portuguese language (or equivalent), which serves as a prerequisite for the Luso-Brazilian Studies minor, students will have the opportunity to choose from a rich selection of core courses spanning cultural, literary and social aspects of the Portuguese-speaking world, as well as Portuguese applied to the context of professions. In addition to the core offerings, students will be able to choose from a wide array of electives in order to fulfill the required number of units for the Luso-Brazilian Studies minor, as well as have the opportunity to fulfill some of the requirements in one of the exciting Study Abroad options in Brazil.

    The Luso-Brazilian Studies minor will require 20 units beyond the basic language requirements.

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  • Minor | USC Marshall School of Business

    The minor in Management Consulting is available to students in all schools and departments except business majors. The minor develops skills used by professional consultants to assist organizations and businesses in identifying and addressing their issues and problems.

    To enroll, students must have completed a minimum of 32 units of college-level courses and have a minimum overall GPA of 2.75. Completion of this minor requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the following courses:

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  • Minor | Sociology

     

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    This interdisciplinary minor is intended for students in all schools with an interest in human relations as a subject of study or professional goal. In addition to course work in organizational behavior, social psychology and management, this minor includes attention to questions of ethics and leadership.

    As with all minors, students must include at least four upper-division courses and four courses dedicated exclusively to this minor (not used for credit toward a major, another minor or general education requirements). Finally, students must select four courses outside their major department. Students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology must choose four courses outside of sociology; those seeking the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration must choose four courses outside the USC Marshall School of Business.

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  • Minor | Biological Sciences

    Studies of the marine environment are relevant to many contemporary environmental issues and problems central to understanding earth-system evolution, dynamics, climate and sustainability. The minor in Marine Biology combines courses related specifically to marine science from several Dornsife College departments or programs. USC's location along the Pacific Ocean and the unique facilities at the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island provide superb access for students to learn outside of traditional classroom venues. Students will learn about the biology, evolution and ecology of organisms that inhabit marine environments and the ecological and physical processes linking them. This program is an appropriate start for students who are seeking a focus in marine science or who are interested in broadening their base of knowledge about marine biology, earth sciences or environmental science.

    The minor consists of 24 units of course work. At least 16 must be upper-division and unique to the minor. Courses required by the student's major or general education (GE) requirements may not be applied toward the minor. Prior to declaring the minor, students must have completed the requirement for BISC 120Lg or BISC 121Lg or BISC 103Lgx. Basic chemistry, such as CHEM 103Lgx or CHEM 105aLg and CHEM 105bL, is strongly recommended. Students are encouraged enroll in at least one field-based course. Courses may be substituted with approval of the minor in Marine Biology program director, and this approval must be filed with the Office of Academic Records and Registrar.

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  • Minor | USC Marshall School of Business

    The minor in marketing is available to students in all schools and departments except business majors. Marketing studies processes that organizations use to identify and serve the needs of customers.

    The marketing minor provides a business-related education that will supplement many undergraduate majors, and enhance the career prospects for students whose majors could incorporate a marketing dimension or application. This minor should appeal to any student interested in an early marketing career, which includes, but is not limited to, professional sales, retailing, marketing research, product management and advertising.

    Eligible students must have completed a minimum of 32 units of college-level course work and have a minimum GPA of 2.75. BUAD 307 Marketing Fundamentals must be completed as a required prerequisite. Students must successfully complete 16 units of MKT electives to satisfy this minor.

    Return to: USC Marshall School of Business 

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  • Dual Degree | USC School of Architecture

    The Master of Urban Planning/Master of Advanced Architectural Studies dual degree program facilitates highly related cross-disciplinary studies in architecture and in planning at the master's level. This program offers students interested in developing a career in urban design an opportunity to make more substantial commitments in both disciplines and to achieve a more coherent and extensive knowledge in the design of built environments and public policy. This dual degree program normally requires five semesters in residence.

    Qualified students who are admitted to the graduate programs in both the School of Architecture and the USC Price School of Public Policy may complete both degrees in a highly integrated five-semester program. Such students must already possess a five-year professional degree in architecture.

    Requirements

    Requirements for completion of the dual degree program are 72 units, including 36 units in architecture and 36 units in urban planning, as follows:

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  • Dual Degree | East Asian Area Studies

     

    The Marshall School of Business in conjunction with the East Asian Studies Center offers a joint MA/MBA degree that combines graduate business education with training in the cultures and societies of East Asia. Students enrolled in the joint degree program are required to complete a minimum of 72 units. All students must complete 48 units in the Marshall School of Business. Dual degree students may not count courses taken outside the Marshall School of Business toward the 48 units. In East Asian Area Studies, students have the option of taking five courses and writing a thesis (for a total of 24 units) or taking six courses and passing a comprehensive examination (for a total of 24 units).

    Applicants for the joint MA/MBA are required to follow the admission procedures for the full-time MBA program. GRE scores are not required for admission into the joint program.

    Required Courses

    Required MBA courses: all required courses in an MBA program.

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  • Dual Degree | Philosophy

     

    Students must complete 24 units in the USC School of Philosophy and 76 units in the USC Gould School of Law.

    First Year: Required law school curriculum

    Second and Third Years: The Department of Philosophy prefers that students take at least one philosophy course each semester. During the four semesters, students must take at least 16 units at the 500-level, including PHIL 450 Intermediate Symbolic Logic or PHIL 510 Philosophical Logic and PHIL 500 Introduction to Contemporary Philosophical Literature, and PHIL 503 Introduction to Contemporary Philosophical Literature on Value, one 400- or 500-level course in ethics or social/political philosophy or aesthetics or philosophy of law; one 400- or 500-level course in metaphysics or epistemology or philosophy of language or philosophy of science or philosophy of mind; one 400- or 500-level course in the history of ancient or early modern philosophy; passage of the second year review that shall include a research paper based on a completed seminar paper and completion of a publishable research paper. Students must also complete 46 additional law units.

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