University of Southern California

Academic Programs

The University of Southern California is accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission and offers Bachelor’s Degrees, post-baccalaureate certificates, Master’s Degrees, post-masters certificates and Doctorates in 95 majors. USC also has special recognition for their Law, Dental, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Health Services, Music and Teacher Education programs, the largest programs are in Business, Social Sciences and Performing Arts. The school is comprised of 18 professional schools (too numerous to identify here) and is notable for the school of Cinematic Arts, the oldest and largest film school in the country. USC also offers online degree programs for Masters only. USC’s extensive Mission Statement includes the idea that “the central mission of the university of Southern California is the development of human beings and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit. The principal means by which our mission is accomplished are teaching, research, artistic creation, professional practice and selected forms of public service.”

Student Life

Over 18,000 undergrads attend the University of Southern California. The campus community offers many clubs and organizations to explore different interests. There are club sports and intramurals for the casual athlete. For the varsity athlete, the Cardinal & Gold Trojans field teams in 13 sports and participate in NCAA Division I competitions. The mascot, Traveler, is the Andalusian horse ridden by a Trojan soldier. USC has more than a few active rivalries, the most famous being with neighboring University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and Notre Dame. USC’s Vision includes Transforming Education for a Rapidly Changing World, Creating Scholarship with Consequence and Connecting the Individual to the World; this is brought about by the Core Values of Free Inquiry, Caring and respect for one another as individuals; appreciation of diversity; team spirit; strong alumni networks; and commitment to service, Commitment to informed risk-taking and Commitment to ethical conduct. About this the school states “This strategic vision is a call to action, a call to think boldly and to enact the transformations envisioned here. This Strategic Vision will be the touchstone by which we measure progress as a leading voice in academia for the 21st Century.”