Philosophy (BA) at University of Southern California

Programme overview

The philosophy major introduces students to the fundamental problems debated within western philosophical thought and the concepts and techniques needed for independent philosophical thinking. It also broadens perspective for specialization in the natural and social sciences, literature and the arts.

Department: Philosophy | Duration: 128 units | Intake: Fall | Study mode: full-time | Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States

What you will study

The major requires eight philosophy courses, six at upper-division level, including a gateway course (such as PHIL 315, 320, 336, 337, 340, 360, 362, 363 or 385), one logic course, and distribution across history of philosophy, ethics, law and value theory, and systematic philosophy. Departmental honors require a 3.5 upper-level major GPA and the honors capstone or senior thesis seminar.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Undergraduate first-year admission (university-wide): apply through the Common Application; SAT/ACT scores are optional (test-optional); official transcripts and a letter of recommendation are submitted, and fall grades are submitted when available. Deadlines: Early Decision and Early Action November 1; Regular Decision January 10 (December 1 for performing arts majors). USC does not conduct admission interviews. International applicants whose native language is not English must submit an approved English proficiency exam: TOEFL iBT recommended minimum 100 with at least 20 per section (exams before 21 January 2026) or 5 overall with at least 4 per section (exams on or after 21 January 2026), IELTS 7, PTE 68, Cambridge C1 Advanced 185, SAT EBRW 650, ACT English 27, or Duolingo 130 (with an on-arrival International Student Exam).

Requirements published at program group level.

USD 75,384 a year (2026-27). Estimated undergraduate tuition for two semesters (12-18 units per semester), the USC rate for full-time undergraduates; excludes fees ($1,952), housing, food, books and the $450 new student fee. The same tuition applies to in-state and out-of-state resid Source

First-year students enter in the fall semester; applicants can apply Early Decision (binding), Early Action or Regular Decision.

First-year deadlines for 2027 entry: Early Decision (most majors) November 1; Early Action (most majors) November 1; Regular Decision for performing arts majors (Dance, Dramatic Arts, Thornton Music) December 1; Regular Decision for most majors January 10. Early Decision applicants are notified by mid-December, Early Action in late January and Regular Decision by April 1.

Applications are made through the Common Application; the undergraduate application fee is $85 for all applicants, with fee waivers available except to international students. SAT/ACT scores are optional (test-optional); USC school code is SAT 4852 and ACT 0470.

Transfer applications for 2027-28: December 1, 2026 for selected programmes and February 15, 2027 for all other majors; SAT/ACT scores are not required for transfer applicants.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.usc.edu/

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities