Building an Education Beyond Your Major

Many students are relieved to find out that at USC Viterbi, their schedule can be much more flexible than just taking four years of math, science, and engineering classes.

Engineering Plus is the idea that your education shouldn’t stop at your major. While you’ll build a strong engineering foundation, you’ll also have opportunities to explore interests across USC.  Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn music production. Or take a ballroom dancing class. Maybe you’re interested in entrepreneurship, cinematic arts, public policy, or psychology. At USC, those opportunities are part of what makes your education unique.  And, I have to say it is one of my favorite things to watch as new passions and interests unfold during students’ 4-year journey at USC.

You may be wondering what this really looks like for an engineering students.  Well, many students choose to take elective classes or add a minor.  What is a minor?  It’s a secondary area of study that complements their engineering degree. A minor requires fewer courses than a major and allows you to explore another subject without changing your primary field of study.  For example, an engineering student might pair their degree with a minor in:

• Business
• Music Industry or Music Production
• Entrepreneurship
• Computer Programming
• Communication Design
• Applied Analytics
• Psychology

And, those are just the tip of the iceberg.  USC offers over 150 minors.

Again, others take elective classes because they’re curious. That could mean learning a new language, taking a dance class, studying photography, or exploring topics they’ve never had the chance to experience before.

USC Viterbi students can incorporate electives, minors, or interdisciplinary experiences into their academic plan. Exactly what your schedule looks like depends on your major and the choices you make along the way, so it’s something you’ll plan with your academic advisor.  The goal isn’t to add more classes but to make the classes you take reflect your interests and your future goals.

Why does this all matter?  It matters because today’s engineers work with people from every imaginable profession, including designers, doctors, entrepreneurs, artists, policymakers, and business leaders.  Learning beyond engineering helps you become a stronger communicator, a more creative problem solver, and a more adaptable engineer.  Of course, your engineering degree at USC Viterbi is the foundation. Engineering Plus lets you build something uniquely yours.

Want to learn more? Explore USC’s interdisciplinary opportunities to see how you can customize your educational experience and don’t miss the student reflections below on the Engineering Plus Philosphy.