Declaring majors
If you’re ready to declare your major, use the information below to get started.
College and departmental websites have the most up-to-date eligibility requirements and major declaration instructions.
Don’t meet these requirements? Check the Adjacent Majors page to learn about similar options.
Find your college’s eligibility requirements and major declaration process
Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs
Program: Public Affairs
Criteria: 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 in the Baker School undergraduate curriculum.
How to declare: To change their major, students must schedule an appointment with a Baker School advisor. Students can email the team at [email protected] with questions about the curriculum and the process for switching their major.
Don’t meet these requirements? Explore similar options on the Adjacent Majors page.
College of Architecture and Design
Programs: Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Graphic Design
Criteria: 2.5 GPA if you are an internal transfer and 3.0 if you are an external transfer. The programs have a limited number of seats, and students may want a higher GPA to be competitive.
How to declare: Students must apply to their major of interest. Each program requires attendance at an information session led by advisors to access the application. Architecture and Interior Architecture only accept applications in the spring for a summer or fall entry. Graphic Design accepts students in both the fall and spring. Application deadlines and information session dates are listed on the college website.
Don’t meet these requirements? Explore similar options on the Adjacent Majors page.
College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences has different requirements depending on the major.
Language and World Business: 2.7 cumulative GPA requirement and a 3.0 GPA in language courses. Complete the Language and World Business application.
Medical Laboratory Science: Minimum of C or higher in all required courses. This does not guarantee admission. See the Medical Laboratory Science admissions information.
College Scholars: Learn more about the College Scholars program, then request a meeting with the director of the program.
All other majors: No GPA requirement. Many majors have major declaration forms on their department websites. Students can also schedule an appointment with a college advisor.
Don’t meet these requirements? Explore similar options on the Adjacent Majors page.
College of Communication and Information
Program: All majors
Criteria: 2.0 GPA requirement
How to declare: Students must schedule an appointment with a CCI advisor to change their major.
Don’t meet these requirements? Explore similar options on the Adjacent Majors page.
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Criteria: GPA requirements vary by major:
- Audiology and Deaf Studies: 3.0 GPA requirement
- Public Health and Kinesiology: 2.8 GPA requirement
- All teacher licensure majors: 2.75 GPA requirement
- Nutrition: 2.6 GPA requirement
- Sports Management, Therapeutic Recreation, and Human Development and Family Science: 2.5 GPA requirement
- Hospitality & Tourism Management and Retail & Merchandising Management: 2.3 GPA requirement
How to declare: Follow the instructions on the CEHHS advising website to complete the appropriate form to request an appointment with an academic advisor in CEHHS.
Don’t meet these requirements? Explore similar options on the Adjacent Majors page.
College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies
Programs: Data Science, Applied Artificial Intelligence, Applied Cybersecurity, and Innovative Transdisciplinary Studies
Criteria: 2.0 GPA requirement. Students with less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA but within one semester of possible attainment of a cumulative 2.0 GPA, and with a current semester GPA of at least 2.5, will be considered for admission.
How to declare: Students must schedule an appointment with a CECS advisor to change their major.
Don’t meet these requirements? Explore similar options on the Adjacent Majors page.
College of Music
Program: All majors
Criteria: Students must audition and take a theory exam. Students majoring in music education, musicology, music business, and music theory or composition also complete a faculty interview.
How to declare: Auditions and interviews happen before the start of the fall semester, and dates are typically posted on the College of Music application form. In addition to an audition or interview, students must apply to their major of interest. Email [email protected] with questions.
Don’t meet these requirements? Explore similar options on the Adjacent Majors page.
College of Nursing
Program: Nursing (Traditional BSN Program and BSN Scholars Program)
Criteria: 3.2 minimum GPA requirement (does not guarantee admission). Submit an application by the deadline, typically in the fall of sophomore year. Review the BSN admission criteria in detail.
How to declare: Students must apply to the College of Nursing. The college holds drop-in advising hours and information sessions that can help students put together a plan for the application and transfer process. Find dates and details.
Don’t meet these requirements? Explore similar options on the Adjacent Majors page.
College of Social Work
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.
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.
Don’t meet these requirements? Explore similar options on the Adjacent Majors page.
Haslam College of Business
Program: All majors
Criteria: 2.5 GPA requirement for both internal and external transfers.
How to declare: Contact [email protected] for next steps about changing your major. More information is available for prospective students.
Don’t meet these requirements? Explore similar options on the Adjacent Majors page.
Herbert College of Agriculture
Biosystems Engineering: 2.8 GPA requirement, plus 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.
Forestry and Wildlife and Fisheries: 2.5 GPA requirement.
All other majors: 2.0 GPA requirement.
How to declare: Contact the academic advisor or faculty advisor for the specific program. Contacts can be found on the Herbert College of Agriculture academics and advising page.
Don’t meet these requirements? Explore similar options on the Adjacent Majors page.
Tickle College of Engineering
All majors except Computer Science: 2.8 GPA requirement, plus 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 midway through the semester. Make an appointment with the Engineering Advising Office. Admissions decisions reside with the department head or associate department head in the major department of choice.
Computer Science: 2.8 GPA requirement, plus completion of the following courses with a C or better: English 101; Computer Science 101, 103, and 104; 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. The decision to admit a student into an engineering major resides with the department head or associate department head in the major department of choice.
Don’t meet these requirements? Explore similar options on the Adjacent Majors page.
Need to talk it through?
An ACE Coach can help you weigh options, set GPA goals on your timeline, and plan across colleges.
Questions about your college’s process?
Refer to the college and departmental links in each panel above, or email us at [email protected] and we’ll help with your next steps.
Academic & Career Exploration (ACE)
Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration
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