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Pre-Engineering Admission Requirements

All students interested in changing their major to engineering must go through the pre-engineering process.

The pre-engineering process typically takes one to two semesters and consists of taking classes for your intended Viterbi major.
You will automatically be reviewed for Viterbi admission once you have submitted your pre-engineering application and have completed your pre-engineering coursework.

Admission Requirements

Students must submit a CS Pre-Engineering Application (for CS intended majors) or a Pre-Engineering Application (for non-CS intended majors) and are required to take at least three major related pre-engineering courses at USC for a letter grade. These pre-engineering courses vary by major. Please see the pre-engineering courses tab , for more information on critical major specific pre-engineering courses. 

 

Pre-Engineering Application

 

Students interested in a Computer Science Major (CSCI, CECS, CSBA, or CSGM), must submit a CS Pre-Engineering Track Application. The CS Pre-Engineering Application opens on August 21st, 2023 (Week 1) and closes September 15th, 2023 (Week 4).

 

Students interested in an Engineering Major (AME, ASTE, BME, CHE, CE, ECE, ENE, or ISE), must submit a Pre-Engineering Application. The Pre-Engineering Application for non-CS majors is open year round. 

 

Top admission consideration is given to students who:   

  • Take 14 to 18 units per semester 
  • Have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA at USC
  • Meet the grade qualifiers for their pre-engineering courses
    • For computer science majors (CSCI, CECS, CSBA, and CSGM), the minimum grade qualifier is a B or higher. Starting Fall 2023, the minimum grade qualifier for computer science courses will be a B+. The grade qualifier for math courses will still remain a B. To be eligible for admission review, students must take CSCI 103, CSCI 170, and MATH 126/129 or higher.
      • Additional CS Notes: A grade of C or better is required for each of the core computer science courses: CSCI 102, CSCI 103, CSCI 170, CSCI 104 and CSCI 201. Core computer science courses with a grade of C- or below must be repeated; these courses may only be retaken once.
      • CS Pre-Engineering students can only take CSCI 102 their first pre-engineering semester and CSCI 103/170 their second pre-engineering semester. Even if you have a qualifying AP score or pass the CSCI 102 challenge exam, you will need to wait until your second pre-engineering semester to take CSI 103/170.
    • For all other engineering majors  (AME, ASTE, BME, CHE, CE, ECE, ENE, or ISE), the three pre-engineering courses generally consist of an engineering course, science course, and MATH 126/129 or higher. The minimum grade qualifier is a B or higher.
    • Your entire USC academic history will be considered with a focus on Viterbi major-related courses taken at USC.