The schedule for Spring 2027 is now available. Check out our IR and POSC courses for the semester. Be advised that 400-level seminar courses are intended for juniors and seniors/PDP who have completed introductory courses and at least one 300-level course already.

Spring 2027 Important Dates:

  • October 26, 2026: Registration begins
  • January 11, 2027: Classes begin
  • January 29, 2027: last day of add/drop

Students are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with an academic advisor as early as possible to review their course plan.

Requesting D-Clearance

Students should carefully review the information below on requesting D-Clearance as the procedure for IR courses differs from POSC courses.

Approval for D-Clearance does not guarantee students a seat in the course. All registrations are subject to the availability of seats and the physical capacity limits of the classroom.

Please note that the department will not approve requests to add seats to closed (i.e. full) courses unless:

  • The student is a senior planning to graduate within the academic year;
  • The course is required for their degree progress; and
  • There are no alternative courses available.

Eligible students should complete the Permission to Add a Closed Course Form and submit it to poir@usc.edu for department approval.

 

Spring 2027 D-Clearance Request Form

  • Students should submit their requests through the D-Clearance Request Form (linked). We will not process D-Clearance requests via email.

    Requests by POIR students are typically processed within 2-3 business days, and students will be notified when D-Clearance is granted.

    Important D-Clearance Policies

    IR 210

    Due to limited space, IR 210 is reserved for the following students until after transfer/new student registration:

    • IR majors and minors
    • Incoming IR transfer and new students
    • Majors whose programs require IR courses (e.g., Political Economy BA, Global Health BS, Human Security minor)

    Students from other departments may submit requests in early August (Fall) or mid-December (Spring) if seats are still open.
    IR 304 and IR 320

    Initially restricted to INCO majors who will be graduating within two semesters or less. Note: IR 320 is only offered in the fall semester.

    • Starting in Week 4 of registration, clearance will open to all IR majors based on class standing (i.e. senior, junior, sophomore, etc.).
    • Starting after new student/transfer registration, clearance will open to other majors.
    IR 339

    Priority will be given to IR and Health and Human Services majors until Week 4 of registration.
    IR 391

    International Relations Internship course is run by the Unruh Institute. Students should contact unruhins@usc.edu or Professor Iva Bozovic for more information.
    IR 494

    Applications for the International Relations Honors Program are accepted in the Spring semester. D-Clearance is granted once the instructor informs the department of your admission to the program.

    Applications for 2026-2027 are due by April 12, 2026. More info.

    Starting the second week of classes, students should email the instructor to request permission to add the course. D-Clearance will only be given by faculty confirmation.

  • Political Science courses generally do not require D-Clearance unless an application is required as with the following courses:

    POSC 391/392

    Applications for the Political Science Honors Program are accepted in the Spring semester. D-Clearance is granted once the instructor informs the department of your admission to the program.

    Applications for 2026-2027 are due by April 12, 2026. More info.
    POSC 395 and POSC 396

    Political Science Internship and California Policy Research Internship courses are run by the Unruh Institute. Students should contact unruhins@usc.edu  or Professor Iva Bozovic for more information.
    POSC 398

    Trial Advocacy/Mock Trial team. Try outs are held in the Fall semester. D-Clearance is granted once the instructor informs the department of your admission to the program.

    Starting in the second week of classes, students must receive permission from the instructor to add a course. D-Clearance will only be given with faculty confirmation.

  • Directed Research is an opportunity for students under the direction of a full-time POIR faculty to explore a specific topic in greater depth than can be achieved in a regular course or to assist a faculty in their research.

    Students who wish to undertake a Directed Research must submit the IR/POSC 490x Form and a syllabus developed in consultation with the faculty advisor to the Director of Undergraduate Studies in DMC 330 by the end of the first week of classes to receive approval and D-Clearance.

    Note: Up to 4.0 units of Directed Research may count for elective credit toward the major (POSC/IR), but may not be used to satisfy the 400-level requirement in IR. All students are strongly urged to consult with an academic advisor to make sure a 490 fits in their course plan.

IR/POSC 490x Contract Form

Registration for Maymesters, courses held on the Capital Campus in Washington, D.C., and summer faculty-led programs are by application only. Only students admitted to these programs will be granted D-Clearance.

For more information about off-campus POIR courses, visit Study Off-Campus with POIR.