Credit Summary
Effective May 2011, USC awards either:
- Six (6) semester units of elective credit for each score of 5, 6, or 7 on the IB Higher Level exams, up to a maximum of four exams; or
- Twenty (20) semester units of elective credit to students who earn the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a score of 30 or above, whichever is higher.
Return to the general Exam Credit page for information on other types of exams.
Restrictions
- No credit is given for Standard Level exams.
- IB exams do not earn course equivalence.
- Students may not receive credit for both an IB exam (or AP or other exam) and a college course taken before high school graduation covering the same subject matter, nor for an AP and IB exam covering the same subject matter.
- Students may receive a combined maximum of 32 elective units for college courses taken before high school graduation and/or examinations (e.g., AP, IB, or other international exams) taken before matriculation at a two-year or four-year college.
General Education
Effective fall 2015, USC is introducing a new set of General Education Program Requirements. These requirements will apply to students who will be graduating high school in spring or summer 2015 and whose first full-time term (excluding summer) at any college or university will be fall 2015. Students who started at any college or university before summer 2015 will follow the GE Program in effect prior to fall 2015.
GE Credit Breakdown
Students who started at any college as a first-time freshman in fall 2015 or later should follow these NEW GE program requirements.
GE-A: Arts | Dance |
GE-D: Life Sciences | Biology |
GE-E: Physical Sciences | Chemistry |
GE-F: Quantitative Reasoning | Economics |
GE-G: Citizenship in a Diverse World | Global Politics |
GE-H: Traditions and Historical Foundations | History of Africa & the Middle East |
Students who started at any college as a first-time freshman prior to fall 2015 should follow the GE program in effect prior to fall 2015.
GE Category I: Western Cultures and Traditions | Route 2- 20th Century World History with: |
GE Category II: Global Cultures and Traditions | Route 2- 20th Century World History** with: |
GE Category III: Scientific Inquiry | Biology |
*Possible General Education credit for History route 1: Europe and the Islamic World depends on a detailed review of the student’s HL course content. After certifying admission, students may file an articulation petition via myUSC and provide supporting documentation electronically.
**Possible General Education credit for History route 2: HL Option Africa depends on a detailed review of the student’s HL course content. After certifying admission, students may file an articulation petition via myUSC and provide supporting documentation electronically.
Waivers
Some departments may use IB scores for placement purposes, such as waiving a course prerequisite or certain degree requirements. Contact your academic advisor for assistance regarding these waivers.
Reporting IB scores
Students must have their scores sent directly to USC from the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), not from their high school or in any other format. Before July 5 in the year you complete the IB program, order through your school’s IB coordinator. To order grades later than July 5, please go to the IBO website and follow the instructions to order transcripts. Please include your USC ID number with your order, if known, to avoid possible delays.
If official scores have been sent in July but do not appear on your TCR by August, send an email to transfercredit@usc.edu.
IB credit prior to May 2011
7/2009 – 4/2010 PDF
5/2010 – 4/2011 PDF