Coursework requirements

Prior to taking the PhD Qualifying Exam, all students in the PhD program in Electrical and Computer Engineering and the PhD program in Computer Engineering must complete a minimum of 28 units of advisor-approved technical coursework that is applicable to the 60 units required to complete the PhD. A maximum of 8 of the 28 units can be from 400 level classes. While graduate coursework can be transferred from other institutions, a minimum of 16 coursework units at the 500 or 600 level must be taken in residence at USC. These coursework unit requirements exclude directed research (EE 590, EE 690, EE 790). In addition, the PhD in Computer Engineering degree must satisfy the course requirements as listed in the USC Catalog.

Exceptions to this policy will be evaluated by the Department’s PhD Affairs Committee based on a petition by the student.

Additional requirements for students in the Computer Engineering PhD program: students in this program should refer to the 2025-2026 USC Catalog Description of the PhD in Computer Engineering in which specific additional course requirements in terms of specific areas are described. These requirements can and must be satisfied in parallel with the PhD Screening Exam and Minimum Coursework requirements at the linked page below.