Fully Declaring a COE Major

All majors in the College of Engineering (COE) require that students begin as “pre-majors” and then meet precise major-specific criteria to officially declare the major. These criteria include meeting all major-specific degree requirements in the new major and demonstrating a progressively successful academic history that reflects potential success in the major.

All undergraduate students must have a declared major by the time they earn 60 units. Please see the Declare a Major (Pre-Majors/Undeclared) webpage from Enrollment Services for more information about this policy.

This applies equally to students who are:

  • Undeclared or pre-major
  • Requesting to change or add a major

Please see the Major-Specific Declaration Requirements (MSDR) from Enrollment Services to determine the major-specific requirements for your intended major.

How to Request a Major Change

Students interested in declaring a COE major must meet the minimum MSDRs and contact the Faculty Major Advisor for the intended COE major.

Admission to the College of Engineering is competitive as we continue to have more qualified applicants than available spaces. All transfer students must declare a major when submitting their admission application.

Given that transfer admission decisions are competitive and based on meeting applicable major-specific requirements, transfer students are not allowed to declare a COE major or even change majors within the college. In extremely rare circumstances, petitions to change majors to COE could be considered, if students meet ALL of the following conditions:

  • The student qualifies by meeting all major-specific requirements in the new major.
  • The student demonstrates a progressively successful academic history that, in the judgment of Faculty Major Advisor, reflects potential success in the new major.
  • The program currently has seats available to accommodate additional students.

Transfer students interested in declaring a COE major must contact theFaculty Major Advisor for the intended COE major. Please note that such requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and final approval is made by the COE Dean’s Office.