USC Core and General Education
The USC Core
USC’s Core curriculum consists of courses in General Education, Writing, Foreign Language and Diversity. The curriculum is designed to enhance your ability to weigh competing theories, evaluate new evidence and articulate an informed point of view. Structured to encourage you to explore diverse areas of study, the Core allows you sufficient time to add a minor or second major to your degree program.
We strongly advise you to begin coursework in the Core courses before transferring to USC. Seventy-five (75) percent of your transferable courses should satisfy General Education or other Core courses, or subject prerequisites for your intended major. We do not, however, expect you to complete all General Education courses at your current institution, as we encourage transfer students to take advantage of our General Education program.
General Education
All USC undergraduate students must complete six categories of General Education courses to graduate, plus the Writing, Foreign Language and Diversity requirements. Four of the six General Education categories may be completed prior to transferring to USC. See the Transfer Planning Worksheet for detailed descriptions of these categories.
We strongly advise you to begin coursework in the Core courses before transferring to USC.
