Change of Major
Deciding on what major to pursue can be a confusing issue. Since students had to make a choice to be accepted into Cal Poly, they may now be trying to figure out if they chose the right major. Here is some general information on changing majors. For specific information, please refer to the appropriate college advising center and/or department.
Minimum Period at Cal Poly
An application for internal change of major will not be considered
until/unless a student has completed at least one quarter
at Cal Poly.
Consultation
Prior to applying for a change of major, students must consult
with the department chair/head in the target major and are
strongly advised to consult with at least one
of the following:
- Department chair/head in the current major
- Faculty in the target major
- Advising Center staff in the current major
- Advising Center staff in the target major
- Career Services staff
Each major department sets its own criteria for internal transfers (Cal Poly students who want to change majors). Some majors are very popular (highly impacted) and have very few openings available for internal transfers. There is no guarantee that just because students want to change majors that they will be accepted into the new major.
It is risky business to be a "shadow" major--not making progress in your current major and taking courses in the target major. Students risk being placed on administrative-academic probation by their current major department and possibly not being accepted into their target major. Students must be officially accepted into the target major -- simply completing the coursework does not meet mean that students will be granted a degree.
USEFUL WEBLINKS:
Choosing a Major
Change of Major Policy
College Advising Centers