Change of Major: Information, Policies, and FAQs

Information for Current UCI Students:

Information for Prospective UCI Students

FAQs

See here for a recording of our Change of Major Workshop. 

Change of Major Policies

» Switching into ICS or within ICS

Students must meet the Change of Major requirements and grades must be posted on your transcript in order to apply for the Change of Major. 

Change of major is not automatic. It is a carefully thought out process that takes early planning, a good work ethic, academic strength, and a clear graduation plan toward your new major.

If you are considering changing your major, take these next steps:

  • Visit the UCI Change of Major Criteria website for a listing of specific change of major guidelines for our majors.
    • Note: We do not make exceptions to policy.
    • Most majors have a unit cap.
  • Change of Major criteria applies to students with 120 units or less. Please see UCI's change of major guidelines for additional information.
    • Per campus policy students cannot change their major over 120 units (excluding AP/IB units).
  • If you are eligible to change, submit a Change of Major Application online through your Student Access.
    • Note that to apply, all of the Change of Major Criteria must be completed and graded on your transcript.
  • Applications are processed in the order in which they are received. Allow for 2-3 weeks processing time.
  • Please be aware that submitting an application does not guarantee that you will be admitted.  Should your application be denied, the application will have a comment explaining the reason for denial.

Note for ICS Undeclared students: As ICS Undeclared, students would receive priority registration into ICS courses. ICS Undeclared students also have access to our ICS counselors if they have questions about declaring an ICS major.

ICS Undeclared majors are provided the same resources and opportunities as an ICS declared major. Placement in the ICS Undeclared major provides students with the opportunity to take programming courses and make a more informed decision when deciding on a major in the future. We expect our ICS Undeclared majors to determine the right major for them at the end of their first year experience in the program.

» Changing from ICS to a Major in Another School

  • Visit the UCI Change of Major Criteria website for a listing of specific change of major guidelines for your intended major.
  • Meet with an academic counselor or peer advisor in the school of your intended major; they can help you create an academic plan that will help you meet your goals.

» Changing your Major of Admission from Another School to ICS

  • At present, ICS is not accepting pre-admission change of majors.
  • Students interested in our program must matriculate into their major of admission and meet the change of major criteria for your intended major.

» Changing your Major of Admission in ICS to Another School

  • Please contact your admissions counselors via the Message Center on your UCI Applicant Portal page to find out if you can change of majors prior to the May 1 SIR deadline.
  • Students interested in a specific major must find out if they willl have to matriculate into their major of admission and meet the change of major criteria for their intended major.

 

FAQs

» Can I Enroll in Your Classses This Fall Quarter?

  • Our courses are restricted to majors only to accommodate our new admitted students in the fall.

» Can I Have Someone Tell me What Classes I Can Take In The Summer/Fall?

  • This information can only be provided during summer orientation.
  • All students must go to mandatory summer orientation. Course registration will also take place at this time.
  • Students interested in changing their major to an ICS major must go to the summer orientation of their school. We are unable to review your coursework and provide advising.

» Who Can I Talk to About Student Experence in ICS?

  • Please visit our Peer Academic Advisors. They are students in our majors and can give you some great advice.

» Can a New Transfer Student Change Majors?

  • Transfer students are encouraged to accept admission to a computing major they are directly admitted into (instead of pursuing a change of major) and make efficient progress to degree.
  • If a transfer student wishes to pursue the change of major, they may view our change of major criteria.
  • Transfer students must complete one full time quarter (not including summer) at UCI before applying for the change of major.

» I am an admitted student interested in attending UCI. Can I have someone review my transcript and tell me what credit I have?

  • Due to the large number of admitted students, we cannot provide this service at this time.
  • All admitted students must go to mandatory summer orientation. Your transcripts will be reviewed and evaluated for course credit at this time.
  • Change of majors must go to the summer orientation of their school. We are unable to review your coursework and provide advising. Your academic counselors will review your transcript and provide an evaluation.

» I successfuly changed my major into ICS, is there anything I need to know? 

  • If you took courses outside of UCI to satisfy major requirements, please fill out a DegreeWorks update form to get those requirements updated. It will not update automatically. 
  • If you took a course(s) outside of UCI and that is a prerequisite for a School of ICS course you want to enroll in, you must fill out a prerequiste clearing request for the course you want to enroll in. We recommend you fill it out at least a week before your enrollment window opens so that we have enough time to process your request. 
  • If you have any questions about advising, please reach out to us! Contact info can be found here. Students do not have assigned counselors and can speak with any advisor or PAA.
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