Change of Major Policy

Changing your major is a multi-step process and specialized to each major. This website is to be used as a guideline. Students must submit a change of major eligibility/inquiry form to determine if changing into a particular major is possible. The form is simply an inquiry and not an agreement to change your major.

General Change of Major Guidelines

1. Review Cal Poly's Change of Major policy in full.
2. Students must complete at least one quarter at Cal Poly before entering into an Individualized Change of Major Agreement.
3. Students who enter into a change of major agreement and do not complete the agreement's requirements, either by failing to complete the terms or by opting out due to a change of plan or interest, will not be eligible to request that same major later in their career at Cal Poly.
4. Students must be able to graduate in a timely manner. A realistic quarter-by-quarter graduation plan may be required to demonstrate whether this is feasible.

Summary of Steps in the Change of Major Process:

Step 1: Research

Step 2: Review Major Specific ICMA Criteria

Step 3: Complete Change of Major Eligibility/Inquiry Form

Step 4: Check Cal Poly email for response

 

Step 1: Research

Students are expected to research their options and make a well-informed decision before entering into an ICMA. Here are some research options:

• Attend a university workshop to learn about the Change of Major process. This workshop will review resources to help find the best major for you. It will also identify and explore ways to further research your options and next steps. View Workshop Dates
• Make an appointment with Career Services
• Meet with an academic advisor in your current major/college
• Meet with an advisor in the Mustang Success Center
• Career Services’ Career Exploration Online tools
• Review degree and course requirements for majors of interest

Step 2: Review Major Specific ICMA Criteria

Theses requirements should be satisfied while on an official ICMA. They do not need to be meet prior to submitting the inquiry/eligibility form unless otherwise noted. 

Change of Major Requirements for Majors in the CAED

Links to the minimum standards for each major:

• Architectural Engineering
• Architecture
• City and Regional Planning
• Construction Management
• Landscape Architecture

Step 3: Complete Change of Major Eligibility/Inquiry Form

Step 4: Check Cal Poly email for response

Students who have submitted a Change of Major Inquiry Form will receive an email to their Cal Poly email account from the Change of Major Coordinator. Students will be asked to follow the instructions as outlined in the email.

If you do not hear from anyone within 10 academic days, please contact success@calpoly.edu. Please note, weekends and academic holidays are not counted as academic days.

If you are not eligible to switch into your desired major, you have alternative options that you may have not considered yet. As you move forward in the change of major process, there are resources available to help determine the best fit for your academic and career goals.

• Mustang Success Center
• Career Services
• Your current college advisor and/or department head