You may have set your sights on a career in medicine, but aren't sure exactly what you can major or minor in other than Biological Sciences. You may know that you love Creative Writing, but don't know what you can do with that major other than teach or write books. You may have dreams of leading a non-profit group and major in Political Science, but want to explore minors, research opportunities, or internships which might help you attain that goal. Or you may be completely undecided, overwhelmed by the sheer number of majors and minors we offer here in USC College, and need some help in deciding where you should start. No matter where you find yourself in your search for a major or a possible career, the academic advisors in the College are here to offer guidance and support in achieving your goals.

Students with a declared major in the College meet with a full-time academic advisor in their academic major department. In addition to providing guidance on course selection, these professional staff advisors serve as resources in finding research, internship, and service opportunities related to the major.  

Students who are undecided or "open" majors have an entire staff of academic advisors who are on hand to provide assistance. These professional staff advisors meet with students at least once each semester to discuss course selection and provide support and advice on searching for a major. Once open students have selected a major, they begin meeting with an academic advisor in their major department.

Students with pre-professional interests in the areas of health (such as pre-med, pre-dentistry, pre-pharmacy, and pre-physical therapy), law, or other graduate programs have access to the services of special academic advisors who focus on each of these areas.  Students of all majors at USC are able to meet with these advisors - so it is not only possible, but encouraged for you to be a pre-med Classics major or a pre-law Kinesiology major.

These academic advisors assist students in the search and application process for their graduate or professional school program.  Both the pre-health and pre-law advisors regularly meet with students to discuss co-curricular engagement related to a student's field of interest, such as volunteer, research, or academic opportunities like Mock Trial. In addition, pre-health advisors offer guidance in selecting courses required for admission into particular health-related graduate or professional programs.    

You'll first meet with academic advisors at summer Orientation.  After that point, students meet with their academic advisor each semester, just prior to registering for classes for the following semester.  If you are combining majors and minors, or have specific pre-professional interests such as pre-med or pre-law, you'll have an academic advisor for each area to ensure that you are fulfilling all necessary requirements.  We want to make sure that you have personal attention and that you are supported each step of the way throughout your years at USC College.