First Semester in D.C. program
Welcome to the First Semester in D.C. Program. Expand your USC education coast to coast in your freshman year.
The University of Southern California’s First Semester in Washington, D.C., program offers students admitted for Spring 2026 an immersive and unique way to begin their USC journey in Fall 2025.
As part of the USC First Semester in D.C. program, students will live in the heart of our nation’s capital, learning at USC’s beautiful Capital Campus in Dupont Circle. The curriculum for this experience has been thoughtfully designed, fulfilling USC general education requirements to ensure students stay on track academically while allowing them to gain a global perspective through the study of leadership, business, history, and globalization.
Students will form lifelong friendships within a close-knit cohort, supported by faculty mentors and engaging learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom. Our expert professors lead small classes, interactive discussions, and site visits to D.C.’s most iconic institutions, enriching their academic and leadership development.
Why Choose the USC First Semester in D.C. (FSDC) program?
- Start your journey as a USC student at the USC Capital Campus in the fall semester
- Join a dedicated USC cohort that stays connected throughout college and beyond
- Enroll in USC courses that satisfy multiple degree requirements
- Apply your USC financial aid to your education starting in the fall
- Experience USC coast-to-coast education—Washington D.C. in the fall and Los Angeles in the spring of your freshman year
Program Overview
USC Experience Begins in the Nation’s Capital
The USC First Semester in D.C. (FSDC) program provides an academically rich, socially engaging, and professionally valuable start to your USC journey in a city known for global leadership, history, policymaking, and communication.
Highlights of the FSDC Experience
- Explore the US Capitol, White House, embassies, cultural institutions, and monuments from your home base at the USC Capital Campus
- Engage with USC faculty and staff mentors while you access university resources such as the online library, remote learning services, advising, and more
- Live in high-end apartments with fellow USC students
- Apply your USC financial aid to your education, starting in the fall semester
Curriculum
FSDC students earn 16 USC credits and USC grades through a rigorous curriculum based in our state-of-the-art Capital Campus. The semester includes four, four-unit courses that fulfill multiple general education requirements:
- HIST 210gw: How to Be An American: Global Histories of U.S. Citizenship
- WRIT 150: Writing and Critical Reasoning—Globalization: Current Issues and Cross-Cultural Perspectives
- IR 308gw: Economic Globalization
- GSEM 130g: Seminar in Social Analysis: Foundations in Leadership
Many class sessions leverage the D.C. setting, incorporating interactive lectures and guest speakers such as diplomats, policymakers, congressional staffers, and journalists. More information can be found in the “Courses” section below.
Students who enroll in the FSDC semester will be automatically enrolled in these courses.
“Launching in Fall 2025 at the Capital Campus, USC’s First Semester in D.C. program illustrates the university’s focus on cultivating immersive and fulfilling opportunities for students in our nation’s capital. By allowing our students to learn from experienced and dedicated faculty, convene with top experts and innovators, and connect with our enthusiastic and supportive Trojan Community, the First Semester in D.C. program will provide an unforgettable start to their USC journey.”
Elyse Levine, Executive Director, USC Capital Campus
Courses
These interdisciplinary courses explore citizenship, globalization, leadership, communication, and critical reasoning, fulfilling multiple USC general education requirements. Courses are subject to change.
How to Be An American: Global Histories of U.S. Citizenship (4 Units) | HIST 210gw
Explores the history of U.S. citizenship from its origins to the present, with a focus on the relationship between law and culture.
Fulfills GE: Humanistic Inquiry (Category B) & Equity in a Diverse World (Category G)
Writing and Critical Reasoning—Globalization: Current Issues and Cross-Cultural Perspectives (4 Units) | WRIT 150
Develops students’ critical reasoning, rhetorical skills, and writing processes through an exploration of globalization, international relations, and cultural studies.
Fulfills GE: Writing Requirement
Economic Globalization (4 Units) | IR 308gw
Analyzes how globalization challenges national borders and regulations, its economic foundations, and efforts to manage its effects.
Fulfills GE: Social Analysis (Category C) & Citizenship in a Diverse World (Category G)
Foundations in Leadership (4 Units) | GSEM 130g
Examines leadership through social analysis, covering ethics, power dynamics, decision-making, and diversity, with case studies and real-world applications. Check for updates.
Fulfills GE: Social Analysis (Category C)
The First Semester in D.C. program helps students grow as individuals—both personally and academically. Students improve communication, organization, and time management skills in the DC classroom.
– Amy Morrill-Bijeau, Academic Program Director
I love living with people who are in the same program; it creates a really tight-knit community.
– Mia Fields, USC Student
My favorite part of the Capital Campus semester is being located in the heart of policy making for our country.
– Francesca Moore, USC Student
Consider your major before you enroll in FSDC
Prepare for a successful transition to USC by familiarizing yourself with USC’s General Education program and reviewing the specific course requirements for your intended major listed in the USC Catalogue. Pay special attention to lower-division courses that you should aim to complete early.
While the General Education courses offered through FSDC align with many USC degree pathways, students pursuing majors with a strong emphasis in math or science should carefully consider whether beginning their coursework without math or science classes this fall aligns with their academic goals. For personalized advice and support exploring your enrollment options, please reach out to the Spring Admission Program at springadm@usc.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
The First Semester in D.C. (FSDC) is a fall semester program designed for students admitted to USC’s University Park Campus (UPC) for the spring semester. It allows students to begin their USC coursework in Washington, D.C., in Fall 2025 before transitioning to Los Angeles for Spring 2026. Please note that enrollment for the Fall 2025 semester will be capped at 50 students. Students will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Affirm your FSDC interest here.
Students who received admittance to USC for Spring 2026 are eligible. The program is exclusive to first year USC spring admits. International and transfer students are not eligible.
All USC spring admits are welcome, and enrollment is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. We strongly encourage students to attend an information session prior to enrolling in the program. Affirm your FSDC interest here to be notified when enrollment for the program is open.
Sign up to convey your interest. Those who indicate interest will be notified when program enrollment opens (expected mid-April 2025). The deadline for enrollment deposits is June 1 or when the program reaches full capacity, whichever comes first. Spaces are available on a first-come, first served basis.
Please note that all cost information is tentative and for illustrative purposes only. During the course of program operations, actual costs may vary. USC reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.
Fall 2025 Billable Costs (costs that appear on a student’s bill)
| Cost for Fall 2025 | USC Capital Campus (Washington, D.C.) | USC University Park Campus (Los Angeles, CA) |
| Tuition | $36,630 | $36,630 |
| Housing | $6,500 | $6,440 |
| FSDC Programming Fee | $300 | N/A |
| Other USC Fees: Norman Topping Fee: $11 Digital Course Materials Fee: $292 Tuition Insurance: $103 Loan Fees (as applicable): $30 | $436 | $436 |
| DC Metro UPASS | $120 | N/A |
| USC Health Insurance (can be waived per the guidelines outlined here) | $2,296 | $1,924 |
*Please note that some billable items will be included in the FSDC enrollment deposit, while others will be included on a student’s tuition bill. In addition to the FSDC enrollment deposit, students will also need to pay the non-refundable Spring 2026 commitment deposit ($300) due in the applicant portal. More information will be provided with FSDC enrollment instructions.
Fall 2025 Non-Billable Costs (costs that do not appear on a student’s bill, that account for miscellaneous living expenses)
| Cost for Fall 2025 | USC Capital Campus (Washington, D.C.) | USC University Park Campus (Los Angeles, CA) |
| Food | $3,000 | $4,014 |
| Transportation | $300 | $414 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,003 | $1,003 |
| Books and supplies | $325 | $325 |
All students must have health insurance, either through their family, independently, or via USC. Students with external coverage may waive USC Health Insurance through their my.usc.edu portal. Off-campus health insurance is available via USC at an additional charge.
Yes, First Semester in D.C. students are eligible to receive USC financial aid, just like fall admits. Contact the USC Financial Aid Office for details.
Students live in fully furnished, move-in-ready apartments:
- Four students per two-bedroom apartment
- Two bathrooms per apartment
- Provided: Kitchen supplies, linens, towels
- Amenities: 24-hour concierge, controlled access, Wi-Fi, gym
- Location: Approximately 1.5 miles away from the USC Capital Campus. Students may choose to walk (it takes about 30 minutes) and pass notable sites such as the White House, National Portrait Gallery, Martin Luther King Junior Library, National Building Museum, Franklin Square, Embassy of Australia, Chinatown Archway, National Public Radio (NPR) Headquarters, and many other attractions. Alternatively, students can take a two-stop trip on the Red Metro Line.
Yes, D.C.-area students may choose to live at home instead of USC housing.
Students participating in the FSDC program will take part in D.C. site visits and community-building activities designed to enhance leadership, networking, and cultural experiences. In addition, there are many opportunities for students to get involved in the D.C. community, such as connecting and networking with fellow students at peer universities, participating in recreational sports, and attending D.C. cultural events.
Students have USC Capital Campus support and resources while in D.C. In addition, students have online access to USC libraries, technology support, and multiple other resources (note: some of these resources are only available on-campus in Los Angeles). Students enrolled in the FSDC program will receive a student guide with more details on how to access certain resources available in D.C.
FSDC follows the same dates as USC’s standard academic calendar for the Fall 2025 semester. Students arrive in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, August 20. Mandatory orientation begins on Thursday, August 21. Classes start on Monday, August 25. The last day of classes is Friday, December 5. Study days are Saturday, December 6 – Tuesday, December 9. Finals take place December 10-17, 2025.
Students get a UPass, which provides unlimited rides throughout the semester on Metrorail and Metrobus (including express and airport shuttle buses) for trips to school, site visits, cultural events, and entertainment. USC works with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to provide students with the benefit for a flat fee, which will be included in the program enrollment charge. The UPass helps students save money on transportation. The UPass fee cannot be waived.
Let’s Connect
Convey your interest here.
Meet In-Person as an Admitted Spring Student
Register for an admitted student event through your applicant portal. FSDC representatives will be at events at the following locations:
- April 5th, 2025: New York City
- April 5th, 2025: Chicago
- April 6th, 2025: Washington, D.C.
- April 13th, 2025: Los Angeles
Join an Info Session Online (RSVP)
- Thursday, April 3, 2025, 9 PM ET/6 PM PT
- Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 9 PM ET/6 PM PT
- Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 9 PM ET/6 PM PT
Request a stand-alone admitted student tour or a self-guided tour of the USC Capital Campus with USC Capital Campus Academic Program Director Amy Morrill Bijeau.
Ready to start your USC journey in Washington, D.C.?
Schedule a meeting with USC Capital Campus Academic Program Director Amy Morrill Bijeau, attend an information session, and indicate your interest.
Contact Us
fsdc@usc.edu
213-740-0864