Graduate Course Numbers
Graduate courses numbered 200–299 are generally open only to graduate students who have completed basic undergraduate courses in the subject. Courses and seminars in the 200 series can fulfill the minimum graduate course requirement for any advanced degree.
With department and instructor consent, and subject to requirements in the appropriate College or school, undergraduate students may enroll in 200-series courses for unit credit toward the bachelor’s degree. If students take a graduate course as an undergraduate, they may not apply that same course later toward a higher degree.
Teacher Training
Graduate courses numbered 300–399 are highly specialized teacher-training courses that are not applicable toward University minimum requirements for graduate degrees. They are acceptable toward the bachelor’s degree only at the discretion of the individual College or school.
Professional Courses
Graduate courses numbered 400–499 are designed for professional programs leading to graduate degrees other than the M.A., M.S., and Ph.D. These courses may not be used to satisfy minimum graduate course requirements for the M.A. or M.S. degree but may apply as electives.
Individual Study and Research
Individual study and research courses (numbered 500–599) are reserved for advanced study and are not open to undergraduate students. Courses are numbered as follows: 595/596, directed individual study or research; 597, preparation for master’s comprehensive or doctoral qualifying examination; 598, master’s thesis research and preparation; and 599, doctoral dissertation research and preparation. Courses numbered 501 are not individual study and research but are cooperative programs held in conjunction with USC. See individual departmental listings for specific limitations on 500-series courses.
Note: These definitions do not apply to the schools of dentistry, law, or medicine, which maintain their own course numbering systems.