Credit for CC classes taken after HS graduation but prior to matriculation at USC

Hi All. My son will be starting USC this Fall in Viterbi. He would like to take a couple CC classes over the summer to satisfy a couple more GE requirements. The terminology on the website is confusing so I am not sure if this is allowed after graduation but prior to matriculation or not. I believe there are Spring admits that take classes at other schools for USC credit prior to enrolling there. Is anyone familiar with the policy for Freshman admits taking CC classes the summer prior to enrolling? Thanks in advance!

It absolutely is ok to do this and you will get credit if they are already approved by USC. Google: USC articulation agreements and enter the CC your son wants to go to. What comes up is the list of classes that count given by that CC and what they count for at USC. If class is on that articulation agreement you are all set, you don’t need any other approval, just send in transcript when done to get it on USC record. By being on the articulation agreement it is approved.

I spoke with the transfer office on this very issue about two weeks ago.

I believe it is fine for Spring admits and transfer students but not Freshman Fall admits.

Actually it is. You can bring in credit from summer cc classes taken before school starts. I just verified it, daughter is taking two classes. They said as long as on articulation no need to get pre-approval of class either - just spoke with many departments there - including our admissions advisor, dornsife and transfer credit office.

Thank you! I will call Viterbi tomorrow to confirm. I know students in the past who have done this but it was prior to the GE policy change a couple years ago. Also, thanks for your insights on this board. My son is admitted as a CS major like your graduating senior. Your comments on your son’s prospects have been very helpful to us.

Your plan to call and confirm and get written USC advance approval is excellent. Our D took 2 summer classes in German at our local U with USC’s approval. She then took 3rd semester German to compete complete her language credit. She got the credits transferred and satisfied her language requirement.

USC maintains excellent articulation agreements - if your student attended years ago they may not have had these, but things have changed greatly for the better in this area. If the class is on the articulation agreement, as mentioned above, you are good to go. They will not bother to give you written approval for a class already on the articulation agreement.

I called the transfer credit office today. They confirmed that as long as my son has not started classes at USC and we abide by the current articulation agreement, we are good to go. This is great as it will free up some room in his schedule to minor or get a masters.