Opportunities for Current Students
Students who participate in an exchange program will have the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills necessary to become global leaders and succeed in a global market. The exchange programs provide students the opportunity to gain a broader international perspective and return with increased exposure and understanding of policy, public administration, governance, and economic development.
Price School International Exchange Information Session
Interested in participating in the Price School’s international exchange program for the Spring 2024 semester? Attend an information session via Zoom to find out more about the programs offered.
Date: Thursday, August 31, 2023 – 12:00-1:00 PM
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General Information
Academics
Students must meet with their program administrator PRIOR TO applying for an exchange program to determine their remaining requirements that can be taken abroad. The program administrator makes the final decision as to whether a course from a partner institution can be applied to your degree requirements. Thus, it is crucial that students interested in participating in an exchange program meet with their program administrator as soon as possible.
USC students’ eligibility to take courses at a partner institution varies. Each partner institution has different prerequisites and policies. Students should review the course listings and catalogues located on each partner institution’s page and work with their program administrator to determine what courses should be taken.
Per USC policy, all students must take courses overseas for a grade. Undergraduate students must earn a C- or higher to receive credit for courses taken abroad. Graduate students must earn a B or higher to receive credit for courses taken abroad.
Courses taken abroad will articulate back to USC as Credit/No Credit and are not computed into a student’s GPA.
Tuition and Fees
USC students will register for courses at USC through block enrollment, paying USC tuition for the semester they are abroad as part of the exchange program. Since students will be enrolled at USC, students will be able to apply all of their grants, scholarships, or loans to their student account. Students receiving financial aid at USC should talk to the USC Financial Aid Office about their individual circumstances, as it is sometimes possible to increase loan eligibility due to increased expenses for travel, etc.
USC students are responsible for paying any fees assessed by the partner institution, which may include housing, health insurance, student services fees, etc. Students will also pay for all other costs, such as meals, airfare, books and supplies, passport and visa application fees, and other personal and travel expenses. These costs will vary depending on the program, the exchange rate, length of time spent abroad, and lifestyle choices while abroad.
Health Insurance
All students are required to have sufficient health insurance protection during their involvement in any USC-sponsored study abroad or exchange program. Students are not allowed to waive out of USC-provided insurance. In order to ensure proper coverage, all students going abroad must enroll in either the USC Overseas Policy or the USC Student Health Insurance Plan for the semester during which they are abroad.
Both types of USC health insurance include International SOS coverage. International SOS is a company that is on call to provide worldwide assistance 24 hours a day. International SOS coverage includes referrals to physicians, dentists, psychologists, clinics, and hospitals; medical evacuation; repatriation; and a range of other services. Students receive an International SOS card prior to studying overseas.
Any questions or changes related to USC student health insurance should be directed to the USC Engemann Student Health Center at (213) 740-0551, or [email protected].
International Students
International students may participate in an exchange program but must carefully review the visa requirements for the country they intend to apply for. International students must work with USC’s Office of International Services (OIS) to ensure that the terms of their U.S. visa are not violated. More information regarding this can be found on the OIS website: https://ois.usc.edu/
Eligibility and Application
Eligibility Requirements (Undergraduate Students):
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in USC coursework
- Must have completed 64 credits at the time of departure
- Must have received passing grades in all degree coursework at the time of departure
- No academic integrity violations
Eligibility Requirements (Graduate Students):
- Minimum 3.5 GPA in USC coursework
- Must have completed 8 graduate credits at the Price School at the time of departure (Note: This is the minimum requirement for the Price School. Some exchange programs require a minimum of 2 semesters completed. Visit our Partner Institutions’ pages below for more information.)
- Must have received passing grades in all degree coursework at the time of departure
- No academic integrity violations
Timeline
| Fall Semester Exchange | Spring Semester Exchange | |
|---|---|---|
| USC application opens | March 1 | September 1 |
| USC application due | March 15 | September 15 |
| Decisions from USC | Late March | September 22 |
Application Requirements
To complete this application, please submit the following:
- USC Sol Price School of Public Policy Exchange Program Application
- A copy of your resume/CV
- Two letters of recommendation from Price School professors
- Personal statement: should be approximately 2 pages and outline your reason for pursuing the exchange program and how a semester abroad would enhance your academic and career goals
- Copy of valid passport
- Official USC transcript
Partner Institutions and Application Submission
The Price School has partnered with many institutions across the world. To find a complete list of partner institutions as well as the exchange program application, please visit the USC Terra Dota portal.
You can find the Price School programs by searching “Price” in the program search bar.