CAN I GET GRADUATE CREDIT WHILE STILL AN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT?

Yes!   Up to nine credit hours may be taken while you are an undergraduate and applied towards a Master’s degree.   There are two mechanisms:  (1) Plan “M” and (2) the Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees Accelerated Program.

Plan “M”

In the special Plan “M”, you may register for graduate credit courses in addition to your undergraduate degree courses. At the time of admission to the upper division, those students with a GPA of at least 3.4 on their lower division engineering courses attempted may select Plan "M". Selection of Plan "M" declares that the student's objective is a master's degree and allows the student to enroll in classes for graduate credit while still an undergraduate. Plan "M" classes do not satisfy undergraduate degree requirements. Please contact Student Services for a Plan “M” application.

The Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees Accelerated Program in Mechanical Engineering allows undergraduate students to complete both the B.S. degree and M.E. or M.S. degree in as few as five years. The use of dual credit—courses that can be used toward both degrees—enables acceleration of the program, reducing the total enrollment of the student by one semester.

Mechanical engineering undergraduate students may apply for approval of an accelerated education plan in the semester in which they will complete 90 hours of undergraduate course work. In addition, students must have a sufficient foundation in mechanical engineering course work to enable them to take graduate-level courses. University and department regulations stipulate that applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.40, both overall and in mechanical engineering courses. Students in the accelerated program must maintain a GPA of 3.40 while pursuing the B.S. degree.

Students applying to this program must submit to The Graduate School a completed “Application for Admission to a Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Education Plan” with endorsements of the undergraduate advisor, the department graduate director, and the department chair. The dean of The Gradate School has final authority for approving accelerated education plans. A “Senior Privilege Course Work Authorization” must be submitted for each semester in which one or more of these courses are taken.

Participation in the accelerated program does not require acceptance into The Graduate School. After completing the B.S. degree, students wishing to continue towards a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at USC must apply formally to the Graduate School by submitting the appropriate form and required supporting documents. Students in the accelerated program will be eligible for graduate assistantships upon admission to The Graduate School.

Only graduate-level courses (numbered 500 and above, including up to 3 credit hours of project/research work leading to a Master’s thesis) satisfying both B.S. and Master’s degree requirements may be used for dual credit. No more than nine credit hours may be used as dual credit. The graduate courses used for dual credit must be taken during the student’s final undergraduate year. No more than nine credit hours (including those obtained under Senior Privilege and the college’s Plan “M” for undergraduate juniors and seniors) may be applied towards a Master’s degree.

• GPA 3.4, both overall and in ME courses

• Senior Standing (90 hours by the end of the semester)

1. Obtain endorsements from the academic advisor and the Graduate Director

2. Get a copy of the GS-59 Form (Application for Admission to a Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Education Plan) from ME Student Services Office. Complete this form in consultation with the academic advisor and the Graduate Director

3. Get a copy of the GS-19A Form (Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Accelerated Program Senior Privilege Course Work Authorization) from ME Student Services Office. Complete this form for each graduate credit course at the time of registration.

4. Students who wish to be considered for graduate admission to a Master’s program at USC must also submit to the Graduate School a completed application (GS-3 Form) and any additional credentials as required by that Master’s program.

• Up to 9 dual credits satisfying both B.S. and Master’s degree requirements may be obtained

• Dual credit courses must be taken during the student’s final undergraduate year

• The 3.40-GPA eligibility condition must be maintained while pursuing the B.S. degree.

No more than 9 graduate credit hours (including those obtained under Senior Privilege and the college’s Plan “M” for undergraduate juniors and seniors) may be applied towards a Master’s degree.