Graduate Student Resources

Sytem Architecting and Engineering Student Advisement

The SAE Student Affair’s mission is to support the holistic development of students and foster academic success.

This page contains advisement information and policy reminders for current SAE Masters students. If you have additional questions, please reach out to your advisor on the AdviseUSC platform.

Advising

Registration Process

myViterbi

International Students

Advisement

SAE students can contact the following graduate academic advisor for assistance with class section and any other student related matters

MS students advisor:

Prisila Cisneros Vasquez

Student Services Specialist

OHE 106L
(213) 764-7919
prisilac@usc.edu

Schedule appointment through myUSC > Advise USC > Appointments

PhD students advisor:

Luis Saballos

Student Services Specialist, PhD Programs

OHE 500Q
213-821-4234
lsaballo@usc.edu

Schedule appointment through myUSC > Advise USC > Appointments
OR

Schedule Appointment

Helpful links for MS SAE students below

2025-2026 Master’s SAE program catalogue (requirements)
- Fall 2025 admitted students and onwards
2024-2025 Master’s SAE program catalogue (requirements)
- Students admitted prior to Fall 2025
Graduate Certificate SAE program catalogue (requirements)
Apply Now
Viterbi Student Resource

Change of Major

Eligibility: You must complete your first semester at USC with a minimum 3.0 GPA before you can change your major.

Steps to Change Your Major to SAE:

Contact advisor who oversees the designated graduate population you plan on switching into.
Complete the Change of Major Form: the Change of Major Form: fill out top three lines and the information you are aware of in Section 1.
Submit the form via email to the graduate advisor, along with the major you wish to change to.

Switching to Another Department:
If you want to switch your major from SAE to another department, contact the respective Viterbi department’s graduate advisor directly.

Registration Process

Students register for their courses through an online tool called Web Registration. For more support on registration, please visit the Registrar's website.

Courses offered every semester are viewable on the Schedule of Classes.

Every semester, there is a deadline to register for classes and settle your bill without accruing a late fee. Please be enrolled in atleast one course before this deadline. Note that it is possible to change your schedule after this date. For more information about deadlines, please visit the Academic Calendar.

Sometimes courses require approval before you are able to register for the course. To learn more about the different approvals please review the processes below.

How to Register

D-clearances

Pre-requisite waivers

Directed Research

Account Restrictions

Graduate Transfer Credit Request

myViterbi

myViterbi is an important portal that graduate students need access to for a number of request submissions. Below are the list of things that can be done through myViterbi portal:

myViterbi

Application to graduate

Leave of Absence

International Students

Reduced Course Load (RCL)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Leave of Absence (LOA)

Published on February 25th, 2026Last updated on March 23rd, 2026

HOLD	DESCRIPTION	HOW TO REMOVE HOLD
STU50	Restricts registration and USCard application (prevents registration)	Complete Immigration Status Verification (ISV) with OIS upon arrival in the U.S.
ADM40 or RNR 40	Degree Verification (allows registration)	Verify previous degree(s) with USC Office of Degree Progress. Deadline for all degree verifications is by the end of your first semester. If you are unable to complete verification within your first semester, this hold will become ADM 41.
ADM 41	Degree Verification (prevents registration)	Verify previous degree(s) with USC Office of Degree Progress. This hold will prevent registration until verification is complete. Department advisors cannot lift holds.
ADM 20	Conditional Admission (allows registration)	A program condition of admission, or ADM 20 hold, is placed by the graduate admissions office when a student is recently admitted into a program. There are various reasons this hold can be placed on a student record, such as a lower than 3.0 GPA when applying to the program, lack of a prerequisite course or academic background, or others. An ADM20 hold will not prevent you from registering. See FAQs list for more details.
ADM 21	Conditional Admission (prevents registration)	See your Admission Letter for any specific conditions. A condition was placed on your record at the time of admission. Please contact the student advisor to review your holds. The hold can be lifted if you met the conditions outlined when you were admitted.
ENGR 01	Advisement Hold	Please contact your academic advisor as soon as possible to discuss why this hold was added to your record. Most M.S. students will see this hold if their overall GPA is below a 3.0.
SCH10	Missing Proof of Immunizations	USC requires that all students submit proof of receiving two doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) vaccine, or show proof of Measles and Mumps immunity, and two other vaccinations prior to their ﬁrst semester of enrollment at USC. More information can be found here: Immunization Requirements.

Graduate Student Resources

Prisila Cisneros Vasquez

Luis Saballos

D-Clearance

Prerequisite Waivers

Directed Research

Account Restrictions

Graduate Transfer

How to Register

myViterbi

Application to Graduate (M.S. Students ONLY)

Leave Of Absence

Reduce Course Load (RCL) for International Students ONLY

Curricular Practical Training

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Leave Of Absence