The process to declare a major may look different depending on the major students are choosing. Below is a brief breakdown of each college’s eligibility requirements, their processes for declaring a major, and links to relevant resources to assist with the declaration process.
Students who don’t meet the eligibility requirements for their first choice major are encouraged to visit the adjacent majors page to learn about similar majors.
| Program | Criteria | How to Declare |
| Public Affairs | 2.5 GPA Requirement
There are no prerequisites for students to add the major other than the GPA requirement. There are, however, prerequisites for students to add their concentration. All curriculum details can be found here. |
To change their major, students must schedule an appointment with a Baker School advisor. Details on our curriculum can be found here.
Students can email our team at BakerStudents@utk.edu with questions about our curriculum and the process for switching their major. |
| Program | Criteria | How to Declare |
| Architecture
Interior Architecture Graphic Design |
2.5 GPA if they are an internal transfer and a 3.0 if they are an external transfer.
The programs have a limited number of seats and students may want a higher GPA to be competitive. |
Students must apply to their major of interest. Each program requires attendance to an information session led by advisors to access the application.
Architecture and Interior Architecture only accept applications in the spring for a summer/fall entry. Graphic Design accepts students in both the fall and spring. Application Deadlines and information session dates are listed on their website. |
| Program | Criteria | How to Declare |
| Language and World Business | 2.7 Cumulative GPA Requirement
3.0 GPA in language courses |
Complete the application here. |
| Medical Laboratory Science | Minimum of C or higher in all required courses. This does not guarantee admissions. | Information on admissions to the MLS program can be found here. |
| College Scholars | More information can be found here. | Please request a meeting with the Director of the Program. |
| All Other Majors | No GPA Requirement | Many Majors have “Major Declaration Forms” that can be found on their department’s websites.
Students can also schedule an appointment with an advisor from the college by following the instructions on this website. |
| Program | Criteria | How to Declare |
| All Majors | 2.0 GPA Requirement | Students must schedule an appointment with a CCI advisor to change their major. Instructions for how to schedule an appointment can be found here. |
| Program | Criteria | How to Declare |
| Audiology
Deaf Studies |
3.0 GPA Requirement | Follow the instructions on the CEHHS advising website to complete the appropriate form to request an appointment with an academic advisor in CEHHS. |
| Public Health | 2.8 GPA Requirement | Follow the instructions on the CEHHS advising website to complete the appropriate form to request an appointment with an academic advisor in CEHHS. |
| All Teacher Licensure Majors (Including Child and Family Studies majors with licensure) | 2.75 GPA Requirement | Follow the instructions on the CEHHS advising website to complete the appropriate form to request an appointment with an academic advisor in CEHHS. |
| Nutrition | 2.6 GPA Requirement | Follow the instructions on the CEHHS advising website to complete the appropriate form to request an appointment with an academic advisor in CEHHS. |
| Kinesiology
Sports Management Therapeutic Recreation Child & Family Studies (Community Outreach) |
2.5 GPA Requirement | Follow the instructions on the CEHHS advising website to complete the appropriate form to request an appointment with an academic advisor in CEHHS. |
| Hospitality & Tourism Management
Retail & Merchandising Management |
2.3 GPA Requirement | Follow the instructions on the CEHHS advising website to complete the appropriate form to request an appointment with an academic advisor in CEHHS. |
| Program | Criteria | How to Declare |
| All Majors (Data Science, Applied Artificial Intelligence, Innovative Transdisciplinary Studies) | 2.0 GPA requirement
Students with less than 2.0 cumulative GPA but within one semester of possible attainment of cumulative 2.0 GPA and a current semester GPA of at least 2.5 will be considered for admission |
Follow the instructions on the CECS advising website to complete the Interest Form and request an appointment with a CECS advisor. |
| Program | Criteria | How to Declare |
| All Majors | Students must audition and take a theory exam. Students majoring in music education, musicology, music business, and music theory/composition also complete a faculty interview.
Auditions and interviews happen before the start of the fall semester and dates are typically posted on the department webpage. |
In addition to an audition and/or interview, students must apply to their major of interest.
Email music@utk.edu |
| Program | Criteria | How to Declare |
| Nursing (Traditional BSN Program & BSN Scholars Program) | 3.2 Minimum GPA Requirement (does not guarantee admissions)
Submit an application by the deadline (typically fall of sophomore year). Review the criteria in detail here. |
Students must apply to the College of Nursing.
The College of Nursing holds drop-in advising hours and information sessions that can help students put together a plan for the application and transfer process. You can find dates and details here. |
| Program | Criteria | How to Declare |
| Social Work | 2.5 GPA at the time they apply for progression (end of sophomore year)
A student can declare Social Work before they reach a 2.5, but they cannot progress into upper division courses. |
Schedule an appointment with a Social Work advisor following the instructions found here. |
| Online BSSW Program | Current Knoxville campus students can only switch to the fully online BSSW program in rare circumstances and must meet additional requirements. | Students must meet with an advisor to determine if they are eligible for this program. |
| Program | Criteria | How to Declare |
| All Majors | 2.5 GPA Requirement for both internal and external transfers. | Contact busad@utk.edu for next steps about changing your major. More information can be found here. |
| Program | Criteria | How to Declare |
| Biosystems Engineering | 2.8 GPA Requirement
Completion of the following courses with a C or better English 101, Chemistry 122-123, and Math 132 or Math 141 (and subsequent courses in the three sequences, if taken). If the student has completed any Physics course, they must have earned a grade of C or better. The overall record will be evaluated for quality and seriousness of purpose. An excessive number of withdrawals, incompletes, repeated courses, or failures may result in denial. |
Contact the academic advisor or faculty advisor for the specific program. Contacts can be found on the HCOA website. |
| Forestry
Wildlife and Fisheries |
2.5 GPA Requirement | Contact the academic advisor or faculty advisor for the specific program. Contacts can be found on the HCOA website. |
| All Other Majors | 2.0 GPA Requirement | Contact the academic advisor or faculty advisor for the specific program. Contacts can be found on the HCOA website. |
| Program | Criteria | How to Declare |
| All Majors (Except Computer Science) | 2.8 GPA Requirement
Completion of the following courses with a C or better English 101, Chemistry 122-123, and Math 132 or Math 141 (and subsequent courses in the three sequences, if taken). If the student has completed any Physics course, they must have earned a grade of C or better. The overall record will be evaluated for quality and seriousness of purpose. An excessive number of withdrawals, incompletes, repeated courses, or failures may result in denial. |
Engineering advisors are typically available to meet with students about the internal transfer process mid-way through the semester. Instructions for making an appointment can be found here.
Admissions decisions reside with the department head/associate department head in the major department of choice. |
| Computer Science | 2.8 GPA Requirement
Completion of the following courses with a C or better English 101, Computer Science 101 and 102, and Math 132 or Math 141 (and subsequent courses in the three sequences, if taken). If the student has completed any Physics course, they must have earned a grade of C or better. The overall record will be evaluated for quality and seriousness of purpose. An excessive number of withdrawals, incompletes, repeated courses, or failures may result in denial. |
Students should make an appointment to visit the Engineering Advising Office to discuss academic planning and the transfer process. Instructions on how to make an appointment can be found here.
The decision of being admitted into an engineering major resides with the department head/associate department head in the major department of choice. |