Double Degrees

<p>Hi ppl, I was wondering if it is possible for me to do a double degree at SC. I know some students do it but is it an option that is available to all or are there certain academic criterion that you must first fulfill? By this I'm not referring to a major-minor combination, but more like two majors.</p>

<p>USC encourages students to double major and they make it easy to do so, or at least as easy as earning two majors at a school like USC can be. Many students do pursue double majors. Check out the USC Renaissance program that honors students who have majors from different areas of study.</p>

<p>Keep in mind how many required classes there are and if you want to study anything outside your majors--might be difficult time wise. I think USC is great about individualizing programs.</p>

<p>D graduated last May (Renaissance Scholar) with two degrees. As Bessie mentioned, USC encourages students to double major and it's especially nice that you're able to get it done in four years time :)</p>

<p>I think a lot depends upon which majors and/or minors you want. At Viterbi Engineering, it is easier to take one of the majors (or combined majors such as Computer Science/Business) than to major in an Engineering major plus an outside Viterbi major. A lot depends upon if you want to devote most of your time to a double major or if you have some other classes you want to take. Remember, USC has some required classes. It is also easier to double major if you enter USC with AP and/or community college courses which fulfill required classes.</p>

<p>Some majors are easier than others. That said, I think mine is going to try to graduate in 3.5 years with 2 majors. It helps that she has lots of APs.</p>

<p>That's very impressive!</p>

<p>So is it correct to say I can do 2 majors and a minor as well? Maybe something like majoring in Business Admin & Political Science and minoring in French? I don't quite understand the part where I initially get admitted to Marshall Business, yet I can go on to choose to study something else as well (in this case Pol Sci) in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Will I effectively be studying the same things that Pol Sci students who initially enroll in the College?</p>

<p>Also, we have to pay increased tuition fees for additional modules from the second major and the minor? What about the time frame involved in this, do we still stick to graduating within 4 years?</p>

<p>I know some people who triple majored. </p>

<p>Your questions show you don't understand this is basically a checklist or punch list procedure. The punch list for each major and minor are in the catalog. Check off all courses for a major, and voila you are ready to graduate. Check off all the courses for two majors, and you are a double major, etc. The punch list for a double major is much shorter than for one major, because at least half of the courses can be used in both majors. </p>

<p>Take as long as you like. Or, depending on your AP credits, you could finish in 3 years. It just depends on how fast you finish the punch lists. </p>

<p>Your tuition pays for the first 18 units per semester, over that you have to pay $1000 per unit.</p>

<p>Once you are in, USC has a fantastic online tool called STARS that has the punch lists you select and your progress toward completion and requirements left.</p>

<p>I don't think there is additional money will be charged for the second major. But I wouldn't overdo it only multiple majors. The reason my daughter picked 2 majors is because there is one major for academic subject that she likes and the other major is for practical purpose. She might be able to find work easier with the practical major.</p>

<p>It is definitely possible to double major, especially if you are coming in with a lot of APs that can count toward GEs and you aren't afraid of either a heavy load (18 credits with no extra charge) and/or some summer school. Not all majors are open to anyone -- need to apply, audition, be accepted -- but that is the only potential obstacle. SC encourages multiple majors/disparate courses of study -- See Renaissance Scholar program.</p>

<p>One thing I would warn against is applying to double majors. I tried to apply to both engineering and music. I put down engineering as my first choice and music as my second (as USC recommended). I made my "what you want to do" paragraph reflect both my interests and I think that ended up hurting my chances at the big scholarships. I have been accepted for engineering and remain curious if I will be accepted by Thornton (music). I doubt I'll be in LA next year though...</p>

<p>@FantomBassoon: Considering you applied to two very competitive professional schools for your double major, your situation is trickier than most, and I wish you luck. Other than that, applying initially for double majors is not difficult if you want to do two majors in CLAS, or one in a professional school and one in CLAS.</p>

<p>FantomBassoon, do you mean to say that you applied to USC indicating that you had the intention of doing a double degree in engineering and music? I didn't know we are required to declare our second major before we are admitted to SC.</p>

<p>"I didn't know we are required to declare our second major before we are admitted to SC"
You're not. relax.</p>

<p>You're not. I know I wasn't interested in USC for just engineering, which would be my first choice. While Viterbi is a good school, it is not USC's most prestegious program and I am capable of "better" schools (think MIT/Caltech) where I would be more interested in. However, what attracted me to USC was the combination. I inquired and was told to apply to engineering as my first choice, but submit the Thornton supplement. What I understand is that Thornton would not receive my application if I was accepted to engineering (which I was) but that they did not need it (due to their supplement). In any case, I felt the need to talk about music in my "what do you want to do?" paragraph, which I think did not help my engineering application. I would also guess that two less competitive and different majors would be much less difficult/complicated. In any case, I think this whole process has made me realize that USC really isn't the best environment for me (the whole "match" idea), so it really isn't that big of a deal.</p>

<p>If I want to major in both Business and Computer Science, do I need to display some kind of background or foundation in Comp Sci (or any Sciences for that matter) to be accepted into Viterbi?</p>

<p>totally possible to do 2 majors. infact I have a double major and a minor going on right now. I'll be here for 5 years nonetheless, but I needed the double major so finaid will pay for my study abroad expenses. but yeah totally possible.</p>

<p>and ycang, I'm not sure but I don't believe so. My friend didn't have that much bg in engineering/comp sci and now he's a comp sci major at viterbi..</p>

<p>That's good to hear. Is the computer science major scientific in nature? If so, I may find it difficult to keep up with cause I only took science up to 10th grade and beyond that all I took were humanities subjects and maths.</p>

<p>You're gonna be there for 5 years because of your workload?</p>

<p>If you want to study Computer Science/Business, make sure that you really enjoy computer programming. Look at the required classes for that major in the Viterbi catalogue which is available on-line.</p>