Updated 12/02/2025
Progressive Degree Program (PDP) students are classified as undergraduate students until they meet one of the following conditions, whichever occurs first:
- The bachelor’s degree is conferred, or
- The student is awarded a graduate research or teaching assistantship as a contract through the academic department and the Graduate School, or
- The student earns a total of 144 units.
While classified as an undergraduate, PDP students remain on their bachelor’s level Form I-20 and must enroll in at least 12 units of required courses, which can include a mix of undergraduate and graduate level coursework if approved by the academic department.
Once a PDP student meets any one of the three conditions listed above, they are reclassified as a master’s student and must submit a PDP I-20 Request in Trojan International. An STU55 registration hold will be placed on the student’s record. Once the I-20 is issued, the hold will be lifted. The updated I-20 will reflect the master’s degree level, major, and the new program start and end dates. The program end date will be revised, if needed. Students must complete all requirements for their PDP (as well as their certificate/minor programs, if applicable) by their program end date.
Upon issuance of the master’s level Form I-20, students must enroll in at least 8 units of required courses, which can include a mix of undergraduate and graduate level coursework if approved by the academic department. Students who are reclassified to the master’s level for a summer term are also expected to enroll in at least 8 units of required courses.
If you have questions about your Form I-20 or enrollment requirements as a PDP student, please visit OIS Drop-In Advising to speak with an advisor.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) Considerations—Only for PDP students who have been conferred a Bachelor’s degree and have not yet been issued a Master’s level I-20
If permitted by the academic department, PDP students may pursue Optional Practical Training (OPT) once they have been conferred a bachelor’s degree. Students pursuing OPT must take a Leave of Absence (LOA) from the master’s degree portion of the PDP program to ensure they can resume their program once their OPT ends. Students must ensure not to exceed the 12- semester (6 year) time limit for completing a progressive degree since LOA semesters are included in the 12-semester count.
Students will need to submit their OPT I-20 Request and a Leave of Absence request in Trojan International. Upon completion of OPT, students must submit a Return to USC: Initial I-20 request to resume the master’s degree portion of the PDP. Students will receive an updated I-20 with revised program start and end dates.
Viterbi PDP guidelines do not permit Viterbi PDP students to take a LOA from the master’s program to pursue OPT based on their bachelor’s degree program.
Students should avoid adding, dropping, and re-adding the PDP as this could jeopardize OPT eligibility.