Advising

Double Majors | Academic Standards | Transferring Coursework

Academic Advising for undergraduate accounting majors is provided in the Accounting Building, ACC 101, and (213) 740-4838. Our office is open between 8:30am and 5pm, Monday through Friday. We are here to help you achieve your academic and career goals, and to help you graduate within the most time-efficient schedule possible. Since the Leventhal School of Accounting has a one-year Master of Accounting or Master of Business Taxation program, students have several options in meeting their goal of graduating with an accounting degree. That's why it is important for you to come in and meet with an advisor as soon as possible, so we can outline the most efficient schedule that will meet your particular goals.

Academic advisors are available by appointment throughout most of the academic year and during the summer. Advisors are available on a walk-in basis at the start of each semester and during registration times (November and April). There are no scheduled appointments during the walk-in period.

Double Majors

We have a significant number of students who choose to complete a double major in accounting and business. If you are considering this option, please come see an advisor as soon as possible. The accounting school has specific requirements and courses (eg. BUAD 302t and BUAD 311t) that you need to know about as early as possible. We may suggest that you complete an undergraduate business degree, and then pursue our one-year Masters degree rather than completing two undergraduate degrees. It really depends on your individual academic record and goals.

To complete both an accounting and business degree, 160 units are required. The actual requirements do not add up to 160 units, so you may have a number of electives that you need to complete in addition to required accounting and business classes. If you entered USC with a significant number of advance placement units, then meeting the 160-unit requirement will be easier. Several such students have been able to complete both degrees in a four-year timeframe, by making use of their advanced placement units and taking a few summer school classes. They came in for advising early, and so were able to schedule their classes in an efficient manner.

To complete both an accounting and a business degree, you are required to complete the 160 units and the specific course requirements. Meeting with an advisor is important in order to understand all such differences.

For your business degree you need to choose a concentration of courses in a specific area of study. Link here for information about Senior Concentrations.

Academic Standards

GPA Prerequisites for Undergraduate Accounting Courses:

The following are grade point average prerequisites for any undergraduate student enrolled in any accounting course. Individual instructors may not waive these standards: (1) an average grade of B (3.0) or better in BUAD 250a and BUAD 250b, with no grade lower than a B-; or (1a) if applicable, transfer students are required to meet an average grade of B in the two transferred accounting courses and BUAD 305x, with no grade lower than a B-; and (2) a minimum 2.5 grade point average (based on a scale where the grade of A=4.0) for all accounting courses completed prior to the semester in which the course(s) is (are) to be taken.

In computing grade point average prerequisites, BUAD 250ab and 302T are considered accounting courses.

Grades in accounting courses taken at other institutions will not be included in the computation of the cumulative accounting grade point average.

When a student's cumulative accounting grade point average falls below 2.5, the student is placed on probation. If a student on probation does not regain a minimum accounting cumulative GPA of 2.5 after completing the next 12 semester hours in all courses (including accounting courses) attempted within the University, that student will not be permitted to continue as an accounting major in the Leventhal School of Accounting. The Academic Standards Committee of the Leventhal School of Accounting may grant exceptions to this policy only in unusual circumstances. Decisions of the Academic Standards Committee are final.

To be removed from probationary status, a student may elect either to take another accounting course or courses for which prerequisites are met or to repeat an accounting course or courses in an attempt to earn a higher grade. Regardless of the course of action taken, all courses completed will be counted in computing the cumulative accounting grade point average.

The mark of "W" in an accounting course taken while a student is on probation will not extend probation. The probation period ends at the end of that semester during which the student completes a cumulative total of 12 semester hours of courses in any subject(s) at the university. Under no conditions will the student be permitted more than two successive semesters, including the summer semester, to complete the 12 semester hours of courses.

Students must attain a minimum 2.5 cumulative accounting grade point average to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree.

See the USC Catalogue for further restrictions on including grades in repeated classes for the overall grade point average computation.

Transferring Coursework

A student may earn a maximum of 64 units of credit from other institutions toward a bachelor's degree. Students will receive only subject credit for work completed in excess of this limitation. Once a student has achieved junior status, or has completed 64 units of combined transfer and USC work, he/she may transfer up to 8 additional units, provided he/she has not already transferred the maximum allowable transferable units. There are additional subject credit limitations. Please see an academic advisor for clarification.