Changing Your Major to Engineering

Applicants to engineering programs will discover that not every university to which they apply has the same policy for how to officially become an engineering major. For example, all freshmen at Auburn University need to successfully complete five to seven prerequisite courses prior to being accepted into the engineering track. On the other hand, students can earn direct admission in the College of Engineering at the likes of Boston University, Duke University, and the University of Texas at Austin. Applicants who want to enter this highly-competitive field of study should have an understanding of the various pathways into the engineering major at their prospective schools. Those eyeing a backdoor route into a given program can benefit from assessing the level of ease with which one can later internally transfer into an engineering major.

The table below provides this important information for a number of premier engineering programs in the United States. Column headers are defined below:

Direct Admit – Indicates whether prospective undergraduates can be admitted directly into an engineering major.

Prerequisites – Links to the institutional webpage that details requirements for transferring into an engineering major.

Minimum Progress – Indicates the minimum number of credits, semesters, or quarters needed to transfer into an engineering major.

Minimum GPA – Indicates the minimum GPA one must possess to be considered for admission into an engineering major. At most institutions, earning the minimum GPA does not guarantee admission.

Difficulty – An ordinal rating (from “Less” to “Very”) indicating how difficult it is to transfer into an engineering major.

More Info – Links to an institutional webpage providing more detail about how current students can transfer into an engineering major. If there is no additional info beyond what is provided in the institutions “Prerequisites” page, links for “Prerequisites” and “More Info” are identical.

*At institutions where there is no direct admission, requirements for declaring/moving into an engineering major are indicated. 

Table updated October 2025

For institutions with an asterisk (*) , click the + to view additional information about the program. 

InstitutionPrerequisitesDirect AdmitMinimum ProgressMinimum GPADifficultyMore InfoNotes
104151ASUArizona State University - Tempe*Click Herehttps://engineering.asu.edu/admission-requirements/Yes12 credits2.5 to 3.0Moderatehttps://changingmajors.asu.edu/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
100858Auburn UniversityClick Herehttps://eng.auburn.edu/current-students/academic-policies.htmlNo5 - 7 courses2.0Lesshttps://www.eng.auburn.edu/current-students/faq.html
164988BUBoston UniversityClick Herehttps://www.bu.edu/eng/current-students/ugrad/iut/Yes12 credits2.0Lesshttps://www.bu.edu/eng/academics/explore-degree-programs/
217156Brown UniversityNonehttps://engineering.brown.edu/undergraduate/concentrations/declaring-concentrationNoNoneNoneLesshttps://bulletin.brown.edu/the-college/concentrations/engn/
110404CaltechCalifornia Institute of TechnologyNonehttps://www.admissions.caltech.edu/why-caltech/academics/majors-minorsNoNoneNoneLesshttps://www.eas.caltech.edu/academics
110422Cal PolyCalifornia Polytechnic State University*Click Herehttps://eadvise.calpoly.edu/changing-majors/from-outside-the-college-of-engineeringYes1 quarter/2 - 3 courses2.5 to 3.0Moderate-to-Veryhttps://eadvise.calpoly.edu/Changing-MajorsSoftware Engineering will accept the first 20 qualified applicants from any major per academic year; Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
211440CMUCarnegie Mellon University*Click Herehttps://engineering.cmu.edu/education/academic-policies/undergraduate-policies/transferring.htmlYes4 courses2.0Moderate-to-Veryhttps://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/admissions/index.htmlApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
201645CWRUCase Western Reserve UniversityNonehttps://bulletin.case.edu/undergraduate-academics/academic-policies-procedures/#textNoNoneNoneLesshttps://case.edu/engineering/academics/undergraduate
217882Clemson University*Click Herehttps://www.clemson.edu/cecas/students/advising/change-major.htmlNoNone2.0Less-to-Moderatehttps://www.clemson.edu/cecas/students/advising/undergraduate/ge/faqs.html#howdoichangemymajorStudents changing from a non-engineering major to an engineering major must first declare as a General Engineering major, then complete 7 courses with a minimum 2.00-2.60 GPA depending on chosen major
190150Columbia University in the City of New YorkNonehttps://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/csa/faqsNoNoneNoneLess-to-Moderatehttps://bulletin.engineering.columbia.edu/key-course-listings
190415Cornell UniversityClick Herehttps://www.engineering.cornell.edu/students/undergraduate-students/advising/internal-transfer-engineeringYes1 semester/1 - 17 courses2.0 to 2.7Moderate-to-Veryhttps://cornellengineeringhandbook.freeflowdp.com/cornellengineeringhandbook/fall_2025/MobilePagedReplica.action?pm=2&folio=34#pg36
182670Dartmouth CollegeClick Herehttps://thayer-web.files.svdcdn.com/production/images/Programs-and-Courses_2025_web-FINAL-ua.pdf?dm=1758049659No7 - 9 coursesNoneLesshttps://engineering.dartmouth.edu/undergraduate/ab/majors
212054Drexel UniversityNonehttps://drexel.edu/engineering/resources/for-students/student-advising-support/current-students/academic-policies-and-forms/internal-transfer-policy/YesNoneNoneLesshttps://drexel.edu/engineering/academics/undergraduate-programs/bachelors/
198419Duke UniversityNonehttps://pratt.duke.edu/undergrad/students/policies/3537YesNoneNoneLesshttps://trinity.duke.edu/undergraduate/academic-policies/transfer-to-from-pratt
139755Georgia TechGeorgia Institute of TechnologyNonehttps://advising.gatech.edu/change-majorYesNoneNoneLesshttps://coe.gatech.edu/schools/schools-college-engineering
166027Harvard UniversityNonehttps://college.harvard.edu/resources/faq/how-easy-it-change-my-concentrationNoNoneNoneLesshttps://college.harvard.edu/resources/faq
153603Iowa State University*Click Herehttps://www.iastate.edu/pathwayYes7 courses2.0Less-to-Moderatehttps://catalog.iastate.edu/collegeofengineering/#basicprogramcurriculatextFor LAS students, Pathway to Engineering is an advising program for new students interested in pursuing engineering who do not meet the minimum requirements for direct admission to the College of Engineering
162928JHUJohns Hopkins University*Nonehttps://e-catalogue.jhu.edu/ksas-wse/undergraduate-policies/academic-policies/requirements-bachelors-degree/#newitemtextYesNoneNoneLesshttps://engineering.jhu.edu/ug-academic/advising/eng-101/programs/Students cannot change their major to Biomedical Engineering
213543Lehigh UniversityClick Herehttps://cas.lehigh.edu/content/college-change-informationYes24 credits2.0Less-to-Moderatehttps://engineering.lehigh.edu/academics/undergraduate/majors
166683MITMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyNonehttps://registrar.mit.edu/registration-academics/academic-requirements/majors-minors/changing-majorNoNoneNoneLesshttps://engineering.mit.edu/academics/undergraduate/
171100MSUMichigan State UniversityClick Herehttps://engineering.msu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissionsNo28 credits/5 - 6 courses2.9 to 3.1Moderatehttps://engineering.msu.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies
193900NYUNew York University*Click Herehttps://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/how-to-apply/internal-transfers.html?challenge=d06e90d7-4d8f-4b88-9d8c-10b73beb60f1Yes1 semesterNoneLess-to-Moderatehttps://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/how-to-apply/internal-transfers/internal-transfer-additional-requirements.html?challenge=d06e90d7-4d8f-4b88-9d8c-10b73beb60f1Computer Science major is not able to accept any internal transfer applicants
199193NC StateNorth Carolina State University at Raleigh*Click Herehttps://www.engr.ncsu.edu/academics/undergrad/coda/#coda-requisitesNo10 courses2.0Moderate-to-Veryhttps://www.engr.ncsu.edu/ir/coda-statistics/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
167358Northeastern UniversityClick Herehttps://coe.northeastern.edu/academics-experiential-learning/undergraduate-studies/undergraduate-academic-advising/change-major/Yes2 courses2.0Less-to-Moderatehttps://catalog.northeastern.edu/undergraduate/engineering/first-year-engineering/
147767Northwestern UniversityNonehttps://www.registrar.northwestern.edu/registration-graduation/transfer-and-test-credit/interschool-transfer.htmlYesNoneNoneLess-to-Moderatehttps://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/academics/undergraduate/areas-of-study.html
204796OSUOhio State University - Main Campus*Click Herehttps://advising.engineering.osu.edu/enroll-engineering-programNo12 hours/1 course2.0Less-to-Moderatehttps://engineering.osu.edu/undergraduate-students/majors-minors-certificatesLimited to Pre-Major Students: Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Computer and Information Science, and Mechanical Engineering; Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
209542OSUOregon State University*Nonehttps://engineering.oregonstate.edu/tools-services/advising/first-year-advisingYesNoneNoneLesshttps://engineering.oregonstate.edu/academics/programsAny student beyond their first-year cannot declare general engineering
214777Penn StatePennsylvania State University - Main CampusClick Herehttps://advising.engr.psu.edu/advising/entrance-to-major/new-reenrolling-summer-2020-or-later.aspxNo29 Credits/5 courses2.6 to 3.2Moderatehttps://advising.engr.psu.edu/student-resources/change-of-major.aspx
186131Princeton UniversityNonehttps://engineering.princeton.edu/undergraduate-studies/first-year-advising/first-year-faqYesNoneNoneLesshttps://engineering.princeton.edu/undergraduate-studies/concentrations
243780Purdue University - Main Campus*Click Herehttps://catalog.purdue.edu/content.php?catoid=18&navoid=24210&hl=%22major+change+codo%22&returnto=searchYes12 - 30 credits/3 - 13 courses2.0 to 3.7Moderate-to-Veryhttps://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/Academics/Undergraduate/Majors/index_htmlApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
194824RPIRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteNonehttps://registrar.rpi.edu/services/academic-planning/declaring-or-change-majorYesNoneNoneLesshttps://eng.rpi.edu/academics/departments
227757Rice UniversityNonehttps://ga.rice.edu/undergraduate-students/academic-opportunities/majors-minors-certificates/YesNoneNoneLesshttps://engineering.rice.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/majors-minors
152318Rose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyNonehttps://www.rose-hulman.edu/campus-life/student-services/registrar/registration-services/change-of-major.htmlYesNoneNoneLesshttps://www.rose-hulman.edu/academics/academic-departments/index.html
186380Rutgers University - New BrunswickClick Herehttps://soe.rutgers.edu/oas/transfer_schooltoschoolYes12 credits/5 courses2.5Moderatehttps://soe.rutgers.edu/academics/majors-and-areas-study
122931SCUSanta Clara University*Click Herehttps://www.scu.edu/engineering/undergraduate/internal-transfer/Yes2 quarters/4 coursesNoneModerate-to-Veryhttps://www.scu.edu/engineering/undergraduate/degree-programs/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
243744Stanford UniversityNonehttps://advising.stanford.edu/current-students/advising-student-handbook/declaring-majorNoNoneNoneLesshttps://engineering.stanford.edu/students-academics/academics/undergraduate-degree-programs
196097Stony Brook University*Click Herehttps://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/ceas-undergrad/current_students/major_entry_requirements/Yes10 - 11 credits/2 - 5 courses2.8 to 3.2Moderatehttps://catalog.stonybrook.edu/content.php?catoid=7&navoid=224Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
228723TAMUTexas A&M University - College Station*Click Herehttps://us.tamu.edu/change-of-major/search-change-of-major-requirements/college-of-engineeringYes12 - 30 credits/4 - 7 courses2.5 to 3.75Moderate-to-Veryhttps://engineering.tamu.edu/academics/degrees/index.htmlApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
221759The University of Tennessee - Knoxville*Click Herehttps://admissions.utk.edu/undergraduate-application/transfer-student/Yes4 courses2.8Moderate-to-Veryhttps://tickle.utk.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
228778UT AustinThe University of Texas at Austin*Click Herehttps://catalog.utexas.edu/undergraduate/engineering/admission-and-registration/Yes6 courses3.0Veryhttps://cockrell.utexas.edu/admissions/undergraduate/internal-transfer/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
168148Tufts UniversityClick Herehttps://students.tufts.edu/academic-advising-and-undergraduate-studies/transferring-within-tufts-arts-and-sciences-tofrom-engineeringYes4 - 5 courses2.5Moderatehttps://students.tufts.edu/academic-advising-and-undergraduate-studies/engineering-degree-sheets
160755Tulane UniversityNonehttps://sse.tulane.edu/academics/undergraduate/current-studentsNoNoneNoneLesshttps://sse.tulane.edu/academics/undergraduate/bachelors-programs
196088UBUniversity at BuffaloClick Herehttp://engineering.buffalo.edu/home/academics/undergrad/admissions/current.htmlYes2 - 4 courses2.0 to 2.8Moderatehttps://engineering.buffalo.edu/home/academics/undergrad/programs.html
104179University of ArizonaClick Herehttps://advising.engr.arizona.edu/No12 credits/1 course2.0 to 2.75Moderatehttps://engineering.arizona.edu/undergrad/#majors
110635University of California - Berkeley*Click Herehttps://engineering.berkeley.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/change-of-college/Yes2 semesters3.0 to 3.8Veryhttps://engineering.berkeley.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/change-of-college/change-of-college-application/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry); Cannot change major to Electrical Engineering
110644UC DavisUniversity of California - DavisClick Herehttps://engineering.ucdavis.edu/undergraduates/academic-advising/advising-faqs#a1Yes1 quarter/5 courses2.0 to 3.0Moderatehttps://engineering.ucdavis.edu/undergraduates/majors-and-minors
110653UCIUniversity of California - IrvineClick Herehttps://changeofmajor.uci.edu/engineering/#aerospaceYes4 - 6 courses2.7 to 3.5Moderate-to-Veryhttps://engineering.uci.edu/admissions/undergraduate/majors-and-minors-offered
110662UCLAUniversity of California - Los Angeles*Click Herehttps://www.seasoasa.ucla.edu/change-of-major/Yes2 quarters3.0 to 3.7Veryhttps://www.seasoasa.ucla.edu/com-faq/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
445188UC MercedUniversity of California - MercedClick Herehttps://engr-advising.ucmerced.edu/policies/declaration-majorNo2 - 12 courses2.0Less-to-Moderatehttps://bobcat-advising-center.ucmerced.edu/first-year-students/changing-major-or-declaring-minor
110671UC RiversideUniversity of California - RiversideClick Herehttps://student.engr.ucr.edu/policies/major-changesYes4 - 14 courses2.5 to 2.7Moderatehttps://www.engr.ucr.edu/academics/depts-programs
110680UC San DiegoUniversity of California - San Diego*Click Herehttps://admissions.ucsd.edu/transfer/transfer-major-preparation.html?_ga=2.161630012.1441053178.1610382994-969092741.1603815657Yes9 - 12 courses2.0Moderate-to-Veryhttps://jacobsschool.ucsd.edu/prospective-students/undergraduate-majorsApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry); Overall, 60% of students who apply are accepted into a major in the Jacobs School of Engineering
110705UC Santa BarbaraUniversity of California - Santa Barbara*Click Herehttps://engineering.ucsb.edu/undergraduate/academic-advising/change-major-college-engineeringYes30 units/5 - 8 courses3.0 to 3.5Veryhttps://engineering.ucsb.edu/undergraduate/majors-programsApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
110714UCSCUniversity of California - Santa Cruz*Click Herehttps://undergrad.engineering.ucsc.edu/major-qualifications/2025-2026-major-qualification-requirements/No36 - 45 credits2.8Moderate-to-Veryhttps://undergrad.engineering.ucsc.edu/advising/declare-your-major/Must be a proposed major to declare biomolecular engineering, computer engineering, and electrical engineering
126614University of Colorado - BoulderClick Herehttps://www.colorado.edu/engineering-advising/intra-university-transfer-iut-engineering-bachelor-science-degree-programsYes3 courses2.7Moderatehttps://www.colorado.edu/engineering/academics/guide-degrees-certificates#ucb-accordion-id--4-content1
129020UConnUniversity of ConnecticutClick Herehttps://undergrad.engr.uconn.edu/prospective-students/current-uconn-students/current-uconn-students/Yes12 - 24 credits/3 courses2.7 to 2.79Moderate-to-Veryhttps://undergrad.engr.uconn.edu/prospective-students/current-uconn-students
130943University of Delaware*Click Herehttps://www1.udel.edu/registrar/students/restmajorsinfo.htmlYes2 courses2.5 to 3.2Moderate-to-Veryhttps://engr.udel.edu/undergraduate-education/undergraduate-programs/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
134130UFUniversity of FloridaClick Herehttps://www.eng.ufl.edu/undergraduate/programs-and-partnerships/advising-center-for-student-excellence/second-year-beyond/Yes6 - 11 courses2.0 to 3.0Moderate-to-Veryhttps://www.eng.ufl.edu/academics/degree-programs/
145637University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign*Click Herehttps://grainger.illinois.edu/academics/undergraduate/engineering-undeclared/transferring-to-euYes1 semester/3 courses3.3Veryhttps://grainger.illinois.edu/academics/undergraduate/engineering-undeclaredApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
153658University of IowaClick Herehttps://engineering.uiowa.edu/academics/transfer-studentsYes2 courses2.5Less-to-Moderatehttps://engineering.uiowa.edu/academics/first-year-students/programs-study-majors-minors-and-certificates
163286University of Maryland - College Park*Click Herehttps://eng.umd.edu/transfer/internalYes3 courses3.0Moderate-to-Veryhttps://eng.umd.edu/majors-minorsApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
166629UMassUniversity of Massachusetts - AmherstClick Herehttps://www.umass.edu/engineering/office-student-affairs/declare-major-engineeringYes3 courses2.0Less-to-Moderatehttps://www.umass.edu/engineering/academics/programs/degrees/level-study/undergraduate?s=&field_degree__type_target_id%5B111%5D=111&field_degree__type_target_id%5B346%5D=346
170976University of Michigan - Ann Arbor*Click Herehttps://www.engin.umich.edu/admissions-aid/undergraduate/apply/Yes8 courses2.5Moderatehttps://majors.engin.umich.edu/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
174066UNMUniversity of Minnesota - Twin Cities*Click Herehttps://cse.umn.edu/college/transfer/transfer-within-umn-twin-citiesYes1 semester/6 - 11 courses2.8 to 3.2Moderate-to-Veryhttps://cse.umn.edu/college/departments-and-majors/undergraduate-majorsApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
152080University of Notre DameNonehttps://engineering.nd.edu/student-experience/undergraduate-student-experience/advising-and-academic-support-for-undergraduates/processes-policies/change-major-into-the-college-of-engineering/YesNoneNoneLesshttps://engineering.nd.edu/departments-programs/undergraduate-programs/
215062PennUniversity of PennsylvaniaClick Herehttps://ugrad.seas.upenn.edu/student-handbook/undergraduate-policies/transfer-in-to-penn-engineering/Yes8 courses3.0Moderate-to-Veryhttps://www.seas.upenn.edu/academic-departments/
215293PittUniversity of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus*Click Herehttps://www.engineering.pitt.edu/first-year/transfer-students/internal-transfer-students/Yes9 courses3.0 to 3.5Moderate-to-Veryhttps://www.engineering.pitt.edu/academics/departments-overview/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
195030University of RochesterClick Herehttps://www.rochester.edu/college/sophomores/declare/faq.htmlNoVaries2.0Less-to-Moderatehttps://www.rochester.edu/college/ccas/handbook/transferring-within-ur.html
123961USCUniversity of Southern CaliforniaClick Herehttps://viterbiundergrad.usc.edu/pre-engineering/Yes1 semester/3 - 4 courses3.0Moderate-to-Veryhttps://viterbiundergrad.usc.edu/pre-engineering/sample-course-plans/
230764University of UtahClick Herehttps://catalog.utah.edu/programs?college=EN%20-%20J%20%26%20M%20Price%20College%20of%20Eng.&type=Undergraduate%20Major&page=1&pq=Yes1 - 10 courses2.5 to 3.0Moderatehttps://www.price.utah.edu/majors-in-engineering
234076UVAUniversity of Virginia - Main CampusClick Herehttps://engineering.virginia.edu/current-students/current-undergraduate-students/transferring-uva-engineeringYes8 courses2.0Moderatehttps://engineering.virginia.edu/degree-programs
236948UWUniversity of Washington - Seattle Campus*Click Herehttps://www.engr.washington.edu/admission/department/prereqs-by-majorYes30 - 55 credits/8 - 16 courses2.5Veryhttps://www.engr.washington.edu/admission/current-uw-non-engineeringApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
240444UWUniversity of Wisconsin - Madison*Click Herehttps://engineering.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Xcampus-GCR-Sept-2025.pdfYes24 credits2.5Moderate-to-Veryhttps://www.engr.wisc.edu/academics/student-services/academic-advising/cross-campus-students/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
221999Vanderbilt UniversityClick Herehttps://registrar.vanderbilt.edu/intra-university-transfers/engineering-letter.phpYes2 semesters2.0Moderatehttps://engineering.vanderbilt.edu/academics/undergraduate/academic-services/#advising-resources
233921Virginia TechVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityClick Herehttps://eng.vt.edu/undergraduate/resources-support/change-of-major/restricted.htmlYes12 hours/5 courses2.0Moderatehttps://eng.vt.edu/undergraduate/resources-support/transitional-advising.html
179867Washington University in St Louis*Click Herehttps://bulletin.wustl.edu/undergrad/engineering/Yes1 semester/4 courses3.0Moderate-to-Veryhttps://engineering.washu.edu/academics/undergraduate-admissions/explore-degrees.htmlApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
168421WPIWorcester Polytechnic InstituteNonehttps://www.wpi.edu/sites/default/files/docs/Offices/Registrar/ChangeofMajorInstructions%20%282%29.pdfYesNoneNoneLesshttps://www.wpi.edu/academics/engineering/departments-programs
130794Yale UniversityNonehttps://advising.yalecollege.yale.edu/declaring-major#UndeclareYesNoneNoneLesshttps://catalog.yale.edu/ycps/subjects-of-instruction/engineering/

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