<p>Okay, I am heavily interested in double majoring in Critical Studies (B.A) and Computer Science (B.S). However, since they are two different Bachelor's degrees, that means that I need to fulfill a requirement getting 32 credits more than the 128 minimum, effectively requiring 160 credits. After calculating the total amount of credits I can exempt from AP testing, I figure that get both at or a little over 160, but that will most likely require an extra summer term to take all the courses necessary to satisfy both. </p>
<p>However, another option would be to get the B.A. in Crit Studies, minor in Computer Science, take a heavy courseload in CSCI, and then staying another semester to get an M.S. in Computer Science. Which one would be a better choice for job prospects and professional schools like an MBA or Law?</p>
<p>BTW, I am a Trustee Scholar, which may explain the duality of the desire to do two completely different majors (I was told doing this type of stuff is encouraged in USC). This also means that I would like to do this in 8 semesters if possible, since my funding carries on to that amount.</p>
<p>I also plan on doing two different degrees, with film production and some heavy science, and I too am a trustee scholar. Difference is, I am willing to stay 5 years. I think all the progressive degree programs are 3+2 years, so you will have to stay more than 4 years if you choose that path. If you decide to dual degree instead, you may be able to finish in four years.</p>
<p>(someone correct me if I’m wrong)</p>
<p>You can do BA+PDP in 4 years if you’re willing to put in the time for the extra units. I am. And an extra summer term really is NBD. </p>
<p>If you want to PDP in CSCI with a BA in CTCS, yes, you’d better minor in CSCI and do durn well in those classes/get to know the advisor really well. When I was looking for PDP programs, I was considering ISE for a while, but they didn’t let me apply because they insisted my bachelor’s needed to be a BS (which presumably includes a heavier quantitative component) than a BA. CSCI and ISE both being based on Viterbi, I have to imagine CSCI has similar preferences, but, as stated above, taking care of business in the minor might go a way toward alleviating that concern. </p>
<p>I think there’s a lot of overlap between the CSCI minor and major coursework, so you can probably just start as a minor, do really well in the coursework as you keep in touch with the advisor, and see what they think after a couple semesters. Worst case, you transition into the double major, best case, you apply for PDP. <em>shrug</em> Mention it to the CSCI advisor.</p>
<p>Just a little friendly warning. If you finish all your undergrad required courses in three years, your Trustee funding will end. It’s not for 4 years (8 semesters), no matter what degree you are pursuing–it’s UG only. Make sure to discuss with your advisor how to ensure your scholarship is preserved–which sometimes means leaving one req until your final semester.</p>
<p>If you have 16 or more AP units, you can do the 160 units in 8 semesters if you take 18 units each semester 16+(18X8)=160. In addition, there are two programs at USC that may help you get the units you need.</p>
<p>1) The USC Academic Achievement Award. This award allows students with high USC GPAs (equal to or greater than 3.75) and double majors or major/minor combos to take an extra 2 units (20 total) without extra charge in the Fall and Spring semesters. You may apply for and receive this award in multiple semesters. This is an undergraduate award and is not available for graduate studies. [USC</a> Academic Achievement Award | Undergraduate Education](<a href=“http://undergrad.usc.edu/renaissance/achievement_award.html]USC”>http://undergrad.usc.edu/renaissance/achievement_award.html)</p>
<p>2) Exceptional Funding. As a Trustee Scholar, you have an added benefit of “Exceptional Funding.” This covers the tuition cost of up to 8 additional units beyond the 18/semester covered in flat-rate tuition and the extra 2/semester avaible through Academic Achievement awards. The 8 additional units may be taken 2 at a time in regular semesters (useful if your GPA does not meet the 3.75 mark required for the Academic Achievement award - Exceptional Funding requires a 3.0) or in summer semesters (either 8 in a single summer or 4 each in two or…). This is an excellent way to pay the tuition portion for your summer internship units. As noted above, if you achieve your degree, your scholarship and Trustee benefits including exceptional funding are no longer available. [USC</a> - Mork, Presidential, Trustee Scholars: Exceptional Funding](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/programs/ugprograms/aif/funding.htm]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/programs/ugprograms/aif/funding.htm)</p>
<p>A third idea is to take community college courses in the summers (you MUST obtain pre-approval for all community college courses once you matriculate to USC - the form is available on Oasis), but summers are honestly best spent on research and/or internships.</p>
<p>Make sure you check whether you can actually do the MS in one year. PDP usually requires graduate level (meaning 500+ course numbers) classes only, as opposed to a normal program that allows some 400 level courses. You may not be eligible or knowledgeable enough to take the classes in your 4th year. Plus the fact that grad level courses are hard, 3 is considered a full courseload, and you’re trying to cram them in with undergrad courses as well. Scheduling is going to be an issue as well.</p>
<p>Regardless, having a M.S. is generally going to be more useful to you than two B.S.s. Looks better and all.</p>
<p>Great advice, and I agree with Hawkwings about doing PDP MS in CS in 1 year. With only a minor in CS I think it’d be a rare exception to get a MS in CS in 1 year. So to keep things real “staying another semester to get an M.S. in Computer Science” is not going to happen. Normatively CS PDP only works because you took equivalent units in UG (400 level). If you didn’t take those classes then you still have 27 units to earn the MS in CS.</p>
<p>What you’re asking about is a big decision, but what do you want to do with these possible majors? Other than the MS looks better, we can’t answer “Which one would be a better choice for job prospects and professional schools like an MBA or Law?” until we know what you want to do.</p>
Can someone advise PDP’s master degree and bachelor degree? Will student admitted in PDP still receive bachelor degree when she/he fulfilled the bachelor degree requirement? Also will this impact the existing scholarships for undergraduate study?
ok.
yes.
yes. You need to ask your counselor to be sure, but I think undergrad scholarships, such as Presidential, end when more than half your course load is graduate level classes.