IR D-Clearance 

To request D-clearance for IR 210, IR 304, IR 320, or 400-level IR courses, please complete this form:

IR D-Clearance Survey

Requests are processed in 2–3 business days, and you’ll be notified by email once your request has been reviewed.

Important D-Clearance Policies:

  • 400-level IR courses are only available to students who have completed at least 64 units (units in progress do not count).
    → Check your STARS report before submitting a request.
  • IR 320 and IR 304 are initially restricted to INCO majors graduating in two semesters or less.
    → Starting Week 3 of registration, clearance opens to all IR majors based on class standing (seniors, juniors, sophomores, etc.).
  • IR 447 / MDES 441 – Cities of the Middle East is offered through the MDES department.
    → No D-clearance required. Register under MDES 441.
  • Receiving D-clearance does not guarantee a seat in the course.
    → Enrollment depends on space availability.
  • Due to limited space, IR 210 and 400-level IR courses are reserved for:
    • IR majors and minors
    • Incoming IR transfer 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 early January (Spring) if seats are still open.
  • If you miss one or more classes and register late, you must get permission from the instructor, even if you enrolled via WebReg.
  • IR 490 (Independent Study) must be approved by a POIR faculty mentor.
    → The mentor must email your academic advisor with the number of units they will supervise.
    → Note: IR 490 does not count toward the 400-level IR requirement.

 

POSC D-Clearance

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

 

  • POSC 391/392: This is the Political Science Honors Program. Applications are accepted in the Spring semester. D-Clearance is granted once the instructor informs the department of your admission to the program.
  • POSC 395: This is the Political Science Internship/Research course ran by the Unruh Institute. Students should contact unruhins@usc.edu for more information.
  • POSC 398: This is the 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.
  • POSC 490: This is the Directed Research program. Students who are assisting a POSC professor with research or who are conducting their own research with supervision from a POSC professor must complete and submit a POSC 490 Application.

If ever there is D-Clearance required for a course that is not listed above, please contact the listed professor for more information.