Change of Major Into or Within Engineering

*This process is subject to change without prior notice

Sign up for a Change of Major Workshop

The Change of Major Workshops for Fall ’25 is currently active.

Connect with an Academic Counselor

L&S students will be required to attend a change of major workshop before accessing our drop-in advising sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are my chances of getting in?

Q: How do I enroll in COM SCI 32 if I am not currently an engineering student?

All these questions (and more) are answered within this FAQ webpage.

UCLA’s Samueli School of Engineering 

The Samueli School of Engineering ranks among the top 10 engineering schools in the country. The school’s seven departments are structured to align with traditional specialties in the engineering profession. Undergraduate programs prepare students for immediate professional careers as well as for advanced studies in engineering or other fields. We currently house 11 majors and 3 minors available to undergraduate students. 

11 Majors

To best understand the requirements for engineering majors and the competitiveness of the change of major process, become familiar with the HSSEAS requirements. Requirements that can be found in the Engineering Announcement or at Engineering Undergraduate Curricular Requirements and Department Information.

Click on the majors to see a short introduction to the department given by the chair/vice chair

(Students may not apply to change majors to Undeclared Engineering)

Not sure which engineering major to choose?

  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook Handbook with example Engineering Jobs and descriptions
  • UCLA Career Center FOCUS 2  (through Handshake) – Career Assessment Tool to identify your work interests, personality, skills, values, and generates a list of occupations that match as well as connecting them back to UCLA Majors. This can be accessed through Handshake. It is located under the Career Center tab>Resources.
  • UCLA MyMajors – after completing this assessment, you will receive a list of your best-fit majors at UCLA

3 Minors

All minors require that at least 20 units be unique to the minor and not counting towards any other major or minor.

The process to apply for one of our Engineering Minors has been updated, effective Fall 2024. In order to apply for one of these minors, please follow the process listed under our Apply – Engineering Minor webpage.

For L&S students who will be at 150 total units (or more) at the time you apply, your request will take additional time to review. This additional time will be contingent on approval from your home Counseling Unit (e.g., CAC, AAP, Honors, etc.).

Normally only one change into an engineering major will be approved. Students are encouraged to research the various engineering disciplines thoroughly before submitting their application.

When to Apply

Application Periods for 2025-2026

Applications will be reviewed in the quarter in which they are submitted and will only factor in completed coursework, not in-progress coursework. Submit your paperwork with this in mind. If you meet the eligibility requirements with your Winter grades, submit the forms during Spring’s application period.

Fall 2025 Application Period

Application Opens:
Monday, September 29th at 8am

Application Closes:
Friday, October 10th at 5pm

Winter 2026 Application Period

Application Opens:
Monday, January 5th at 8am

Application Closes:
Friday, January 16th at 5pm

Spring 2026 Application Period

Application Opens:
Monday, March 30th at 8am

Application Closes:
Friday, April 10th at 5pm

Summer 2026 Application Period

Application Opens:
TBD

Application Closes:
TBD

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Notes:

  • Meeting our minimum eligibility requirements will give you your best chance for a successful application.
    • However, no application is guaranteed for approval.
  • The earliest a freshman admitted student may apply is after completing a minimum of two (2) quarters (note that it may take longer to complete the eligibility requirements for Computer Science, Computer Science & Engineering, and Computer Engineering.
    • See additional CS/CSE/CE requirements listed below.
  • The latest a freshman admitted student may apply is the Fall quarter of your third year. You must meet the minimum eligibility no later than the end Summer of your 2nd (sophomore) year.
Junior Transfer Students

Students admitted to UCLA as junior level transfers are not eligible for a change of major because of the competitiveness of admissions.  Additionally, students admitted to the College of Letters & Science as transfer students are not eligible to add a double major in any Engineering discipline.  Junior-level transfer students to the College may consider one of our three engineering minors (Bioinformatics, Data Science Engineering, Environmental Engineering).

Engineering transfer students who are interested in double majoring with a major outside of Engineering or adding a minor to their current program should review the petition process outlined at our petition page under “Double Major or Add a Minor.”

Undeclared Engineering Majors

Being an Undeclared Engineering student means you are guaranteed the Engineering major of your choice if you meet the following criteria:

  1. Declare your major between the beginning of Spring quarter of your freshman year and the beginning of Fall quarter of your sophomore year.  This would after completing at least two quarters at UCLA with engineering workloads from the preparatory course list posted HERE.
  2. Have a minimum 2.700 GPA in Engineering preparatory courses at the time you declare.
  3. Receive grades of C or better in all required major prep courses for the major in which you are interested.
  4. Take and pass an introductory engineering course from the major you are mostly likely to choose, or take and pass an Engineering 96 Freshman Seminar – Introduction to Engineering Design.

Students applying to Computer Science or Computer Science and Engineering must also complete COM SCI 31 with a C or better (not a C-) on the first attempt AND COM SCI 32 and 33 with a B- grades or better on the first attempt. Students applying to Computer Engineering must complete COM SCI 31 and EC ENGR 3 with a grade of C or better on the first attempt AND COM SCI 32 and EC ENGR M16/COM SCI M51A with a B- or better on the first attempt.
This guarantee only applies toward the first major change. Any subsequent major changes are not guaranteed; therefore make sure you are applying for a major in which you are genuinely interested.

Engineering Workload

GPA Requirement

CS/CSE/CE Additional Requirements

Engineering Workload

Note:

  • Engineering workloads will need to be completed at UCLA. You can use UCLA’s Summer Sessions to complete an engineering workload, but it will still need to meet the criteria as outlined within this webpage. The difference with Summer is that you can space the units out between A and C sessions (e.g., 8 units in A session and 4 units in C session or vice versa).

Non-Engineering Students

  1. Enroll in an Engineering Workload
    • For non-engineering students, the criteria are as outlined:
      • An engineering workload must contain a minimum of 12 units per academic term.
      • Within those 12 units, you must be enrolled in at least one (1) math and one (1) science/engineering course from our linked list of prep courses. If you need to deviate from the minimum prep chart or Engineering workloads, please discuss with a counselor first.
        • Each column will be distinct for each available engineering major. You’ll want to focus on the column specific to the engineering major you are intending to switch into.
        • If you have completed all math courses listed under your intended major’s column, you’ll need to send us a message through MyUCLA’s Message Center. Your message will need to request alternate course planning options in order to satisfy the engineering workload requirement.
          • Filter your search by “Academic counseling unit” and select the option most appropriate to your change of major request (e.g., Bioengineering).
        • If you take additional major-applicable courses, including upper-division major courses, these will be factored into the prep GPA as well.  If you need to deviate from the minimum prep chart or Engineering workloads, please discuss with a counselor first.
  2. How many Engineering Workloads need to be completed?
    • For non-engineering students:
      • If you’re a first year student, you may apply after completing at least two (2) quarters that meet an engineering workload.
      • If you’re a second year student, you may apply after completing at least three (3) quarters that meet an engineering workload.

Current Engineering Students

  1. Enroll in an Engineering Workload
    • For current engineering students you should already be enrolling in an Engineering Workload and most often will be enrolling in additional major courses.
      • If you are a current engineering student you should be enrolling in Engineering Workloads which are appropriate for the major you’re looking to apply into.
  1.  

GPA Requirement

Note:

  • For non-engineering students who are currently working towards a change of major into the School of Engineering:
    • This is a firm GPA requirement.
    • The engineering workload is designed to ensure a successful transition into an engineering major. If your application is approved you will be expected to take 3-4 engineering courses a quarter. We highly recommend that you enroll in the minimum engineering workload, as described above. This will give you adequate space to build strong foundation skills and usually results in your best chance at a successful application.
    • If you opt to take additional courses (e.g., COM SCI 35L), including upper division major courses, these may be factored into your prep GPA as well.
    • If you need to deviate from the minimum prep chart or engineering workloads (e.g., you’ve completed all of the lower division math courses), please discuss with a counselor for alternate options.
  • For current engineering students:
    • This is not a firm GPA requirement.
    • Your application will be based on the work you have already completed and you must demonstrate:
      • A minimum 2.700 GPA in your engineering preparatory coursework at the time you apply.
      • That a grade of “B” (or better) is achieved in all required major prep courses for the major you’re applying to switch into.

Each department will have a GPA requirement you must meet. This GPA requirement will be calculated based on the courses listed within our prep chart.  Review the engineering workload requirement section for details.

    • If you take additional major-applicable courses, including upper-division major courses, these will be factored into the prep GPA as well.  If you need to deviate from the minimum engineering workload, please consult with a counselor first.
  • This will be a firm requirement, and failure to meet the listed GPA mark will result in a denial of your application.
    • We’re primarily looking to see how you do in stem-specific coursework. We won’t factor courses outside of what’s listed within our chart. As an example, if you completed SCAND 40 and received an A, it won’t affect this GPA calculation.

*For students admitted into UCLA Fall 2025 or later
A 3.700 preparatory GPA will be required for these majors:

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Computer Science and Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

*For students admitted into UCLA prior to Fall 2025
A 3.500 preparatory GPA will be required for these majors:

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Computer Science and Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

A 3.500 preparatory GPA will be required for these majors:

  • Bioengineering
  • Chemical Engineering

A 3.400 preparatory GPA will be required for:

  • Electrical Engineering

A 3.000 preparatory GPA will be required for these majors:

  • Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Materials Science and Engineering

Additional requirements for CS, CSE, or CE applicants

Note:

  • Effective Summer 2025
    All students that are approved to change into the Computer Science major will be following the Fall 2025 catalog requirements. For more information, please see our class planning materials:

Applicants to the Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Science & Engineering majors must have ALSO completed the all courses with a minimum grade indicated below and they must have earned the minimum grade or better on the first attempt in those courses. (Repeat grades will not be considered). These are firm requirements.

Please note that CS 35L and upper division Computer Science courses are not considered prep courses for the purpose of applying to the Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering or Computer Engineering majors. If you choose to take these courses before being accepted to a Computer Science major, we will include the grades you earned in these classes as part of your prep GPA calculation, regardless of whether or not it will improve it. 

  COM SCI 31 COM SCI 32 COM SCI 33 EC ENGR 3 EC ENGR M16/ COM SCI M51A
Computer Engineering B- B-   B- B-
Computer Science B- B- B-    
Computer Science & Engineering B- B- B-    

 

 

Grades in bold type are effective Winter 2025 for all applicants.  For students who completed COM SCI 31 and/or EC ENGR 3 prior to Winter 2025, we will honor the previous minimum grade of C or better.

See info about Enrolling in CS courses here

How to Apply

(Please read through each tab for additional information)

Your application will be DENIED if you do not complete steps 1-3. Please read the instructions carefully.
To submit a change of major request, complete the following steps (only available during the Application Period):

STEP 1: Complete the MyUCLA Forms Survey
This questionnaire will only be active during the Application Period (Application Period(s) listed on the same webpage). DO NOT complete UNTIL you know the final grades from the pervious term. For example, if you are submitting an application in the Spring 2023 Quarter, you will need to know your final grades from the Winter 2023 quarter. This survey will contain questions related to Prep Courses and the grades received in those Courses. This is Step 1.

STEP 2: Complete Undergraduate Program Change Petition
Be sure to complete this editable PDF. DO NOT fill in any sections listed under, “OFFICE USE ONLY”. Once completed, save the file as a pdf, and name it using your 9-digit UCLA ID (e.g., 123456789.pdf). This is step 2. At this point, the Survey should be completed, and you should have completed the Undergraduate Program Change Petition (reminder that everything listed under “OFFICE USE ONLY” should be blank). Please see Step 3 for instructions on how to submit the Program Change Petition.

STEP 3: Submit Reason for Applying and Attach the Undergraduate Program Change Petition to the Change of Major Queue
(This queue will only be active during the Application Period)
The link will take you to our Office’s Change of Major Submissions Queue within Message Center. Note near the bottom of the page, there will be a button that says, “Add Attachment“. This is where you should add the pdf you saved (i.e., Step 2). Please remember that the saved name for your Program Change Petition should be your UID (e.g., 123456789.pdf)

Subject line: Please state the Major you are applying for. This means, if you are applying for Computer Science, your subject line should state, “Computer Science”.
Message: Please provide 1-2 paragraphs on why you wish to change your major (e.g., academic interest, new major aligns with your career goals, you found a passion for this field, etc.).

In most cases, you will be sent a message with the results of your change of major request by approximately the end of week 4-5 of the quarter. (Some decisions may be delayed if there are a high volume of petitions and/or additional time is needed to thoroughly review each case.) Read this message carefully.

  • Students who are approved a change of major will follow the catalog year requirements in the effective term they entered the NEW major (e.g. for a change of major effective Winter 2018, you will follow ALL requirements of the 2017-18 catalog).
  • Students may petition to follow the previous catalog year that was in effect from their previous major on a case by case basis.
Meanwhile: What about enrolling for the next quarter?
  • While awaiting a decision on your change of major request, enroll in any Math, Science, Computing or GE course for which you meet the prerequisite(s) and that is open to your present major. Keep in mind, your change of major is not guaranteed. You are advised to explore other back up major options.
  • You should look in the Engineering Announcement for the courses required for your major of interest.

Adding a  minor or second major must be requested for consideration no later than 2 quarters before degree completion. Junior transfer students admitted to a major outside of Engineering (e.g. Math), are not eligible for change of major or double major consideration with an Engineering major because of the competitiveness of admissions.

  • A student whose current major is in the College of Letters & Science would need to meet the eligibility requirements as described below to change their primary major to Engineering and then request to add double major.
  • Double majors involving two majors within Engineering is not allowed (e.g. Aerospace Engineering and Computer Science) For double majors, your primary major must be in Engineering and the other must be a major outside Engineering (e.g. Aerospace Engineering and Math of Computation).
  • If requesting Majors and minors housed in the College of Letters and Science, please note that those departments may not approve you once you have 150+ units completed.
  • If you are already in an Engineering Major
    1. Meet with 2nd major/minor department advisor. Are there any minimum course or grade requirements required before you can declare?
    2. Submit a quarter by quarter course plan to our Message Center Petition Queue to add a major or minor to your program. Pay attention to requisites, as well as tentative or past course offerings when making your plan. You t have to know every course, but you should be able to put in required courses and at least specify, Elective, Tech Breadth, etc.
    3. Once you meet the eligibility requirements for your 2nd major or minor and you have your pre-approval from OASA, then submit an Undergraduate program change form signed by the department of your 2nd major or minor. This form should be submitted to our Petition Queue as well.
    1.  
There is no paperwork you need from Engineering to process this change. We recommend that you are in communication with the department of the major you are interested in to find out if they have any minimum eligibility or additional required paperwork.

It is helpful to notify an Engineering counselor of your intent to change majors. This is more of a courtesy, but if there are any complications we have the note that you are in the middle of changing majors and can help resolve things quickly.

  • Frequently Asked Questions by College of Letters and Science students who are interested in changing majors into UCLA Samueli School of Engineering.