Step 1: Choosing Classes

The Handbook for Graduate Students provides guidance for PSYC PhD students and information about the PhD program, which lists both the program and the area requirements you will need to meet.  Students must meet both the program and area requirements.  On page 5 of the handbook is course requirements.  Starting on page 39 is the area course requirements.

View the schedule online for Fall 2026 here as a reference: Schedule of Classes.  Graduate courses begin at level 500 and higher.  The TENTATIVE schedule in spring for future planning is here, but know that the instructor or class may change in the future.

First-Year students generally take at least two classes per semester, but all classes taken must be discussed with your faculty advisor to ensure these courses will best support your research studies. First-year TAs must take PSYC-593: Practicum in Teaching Psychology in the fall semester.

Students are covered up to 12 units of tuition per semester. If more units are needed, such as an overload,  a petition with the department will be required to filled out for additional tuition payment. Contact Jennifer Vo (jennivo@usc.edu) if an overload is needed.

Additionally, please review other important information on tuition and semester fees at the bottom of this page.

 

Step 2: Requesting D-Clearance

Use this link to request D-Clearance: https://uscdornsife.usc.edu/secure/bisc/dclearance.cfm.

If you are unable to use the link due to delayed USC registration, you can instead email Jennifer Vo (jennivo@usc.edu) from your USC email with the following information:

Your USC ID:

Class # and Section #:   (e.g. PSYC 571; 52510D)

This information is due by May 1st, 2026, which will save a seat for a class (d-clearance) before the classes get full. Official registration begins on June 2, 2026, which is the date newly admitted students can register.  International students will need to make an appointment with the Office of International Service before registering. Refer to the “Additional Steps for International Students”.

 

Step 3: Registering for Classes

Log in to myUSC and click on web registration to enroll in classes.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  When registering, opt out of the “tuition refund insurance” when prompted.  The department does not cover this optional tuition service.

Register early as a full-time student (a minimum of 6 units), so stipend and benefits can begin to be setup.

Review the Registration Calendar for deadlines: https://arr.usc.edu/registration-calendar/#chapter=fall-2026

Important Information on Tuition and Semester Fees

  • Tuition only covers Psychology PhD courses and courses related to your research. Any classes that do not have justification to your research, Dornsife will not cover the tuition for that course.  Non-research courses, such as art or dance for example, will be paid by the student.  Students should not be getting additional degrees from other programs and take classes that are not part of their academic focus.  Tuition does not cover audited courses. 

  • Courses can be taken outside of the department as long as they are related to the student’s research. Provide the class information via email to the Student Services Advisor III with the reason it is related to your research. If approved, note that it is up to the program with the class to provide d-clearance.

  • Overloads of more than 12 units in a semester must be filed using the department petition. This form can be found on the Current Student Resource page under “Other Dept Forms”.

  • Lab fees and tuition refund insurance are not covered as part of the tuition package.

    Students need to opt out of the “tuition refund insurance” every time you register for a class.  If you accidentally sign up, you can contact the One Stop Registrar here, but make sure to contact them before the add/drop deadline.

  • Students who are on fellowships from the Graduate School, Dornsife, and PSYC department will not have to cover semester fees (e.g. programming fee, Norman Topping, transportation fees). TAs/RAs/ALs will also not have to cover these fees. Your balance should be zero by the first day of classes. If not, contact the Student Services Advisor III. Those who are on external funding may have different coverage and should discuss details upon receiving the funding. 

  • August 21st, 2026 is the last day to register for your first class without getting a late fee.  A late fee begins at $100 and continues to increase $100 for every week (with a maximum of $400) if you don’t register for at least one class by this deadline. These are paid by students, but just make sure to register early to not be charged this.

  • Dornsife and the Graduate School will pay for your semester a week before school starts or earlier. If you still have a balance one week before classes start, reach out to the Student Services Advisor III.

  • You are welcome to contact the Student Services Advisor III if you have any questions.

Return to PhD Onboarding Homepage.