Changing Your Major

Biological Sciences

Before initiating an ICMA, students must have at least a 2.4 GPA in each of the last two terms.

Courses to complete within one term after entering into an ICMA:

• Take either BIO 1150 or BIO 1151 and earn a C or better
• Take either CHEM 1120 or CHEM 1122 and earn a C or better

The completion of coursework without prior consultation with the intended major department does not guarantee the student eligibility to switch into the intended major.

Chemistry & Biochemistry

To be considered for an ICMA, students must be able to complete the degree requirements in the new major within 150% of the program’s published length, determined from the start of the student’s undergraduate enrollment.

The completion of coursework without prior consultation with the intended major department does not guarantee the student eligibility to switch into the intended major.

Kinesiology

To be considered for an ICMA, students must:

• Have a minimum Cal Poly GPA of 2.6, or at least a 2.6 GPA in the previous term.
• Have completed fewer than 70 semester units (or equivalent) at Cal Poly.
• Submit a Change of Major Eligibility Inquiry during the Fall or Spring semester. The department does not review eligibility inquiries during the summer.

Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee that a student will be offered an ICMA. Due to high volume, eligible applicants will be prioritized using the department's selection criteria.

Selection Process- Students who meet the minimum eligibility requirements will be invited to complete a departmental application**. The application is used to evaluate applicants using objective criteria, which may include:

• Cal Poly GPA (or previous two-term GPA)
• Performance in relevant prerequisite coursework
• Ability to complete degree requirements within the university's expected timeframe
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Kinesiology or Public Health curriculum, career pathways, and academic expectations

**The use of AI in application responses may invalidate the application.

The department anticipates that an ICMA may include:

• Maintaining a minimum of 2.6 Cal Poly GPA during the ICMA semester.
• Earning a B- or better in two designated courses, typically courses in which the student is currently enrolled.

Questions? Contact kph@calpoly.edu

The completion of coursework without prior consultation with the intended major department does not guarantee the student eligibility to switch into the intended major.

Liberal Studies

To be considered for an ICMA, students must be able to complete degree requirements in the new major within 150% of the program’s published length, determined from the start of the student’s undergraduate enrollment.

The completion of coursework without prior consultation with the intended major department does not guarantee the student eligibility to switch into the intended major.

Marine Sciences

Before initiating an ICMA, students must have at least a 2.4 GPA in each of the last two terms.

Courses to complete within one term after entering into an ICMA:

• Take either BIO 1150 or BIO 1151 or MSCI 1111 AND MSCI 1112 and earn a C or better
• Take either CHEM 1120 or CHEM 1122 and earn a C or better

The completion of coursework without prior consultation with the intended major department does not guarantee the student eligibility to switch into the intended major.

Mathematics

To be considered for an ICMA, students must have a B- or better in their most recent math class taken at Cal Poly. A typical ICMA will include a currently enrolled applicable course with a B- or better or MATH 2031 with a B- or better.

Microbiology

Before initiating an ICMA, students must have at least a 2.4 GPA in each of the last two terms.

Courses to complete within one term after entering into an ICMA:

• Take MCRO 2224 and earn a C or better
• Take either CHEM 1120 or CHEM 1122 and earn a C or better

The completion of coursework without prior consultation with the intended major department does not guarantee the student eligibility to switch into the intended major.

Physics (BA & BS)

To be considered for an ICMA, students must be eligible to enroll in PHYS 1143 and MATH 1262 and have received a C or better in their last physics class.

A typical ICMA would require a C or better in PHYS 1143 and a C or better in MATH 1262.

The completion of coursework without prior consultation with the intended major department does not guarantee the student eligibility to switch into the intended major.

Public Health

To be considered for an ICMA, students must:

• Have a minimum Cal Poly GPA of 2.6, or at least a 2.6 GPA in the previous term.
• Have completed fewer than 70 semester units (or equivalent) at Cal Poly.
• Submit a Change of Major Eligibility Inquiry during the Fall or Spring semester. The department does not review eligibility inquiries during the summer.

Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee that a student will be offered an ICMA. Due to high volume, eligible applicants will be prioritized using the department's selection criteria.

Selection Process- Students who meet the minimum eligibility requirements will be invited to complete a departmental application**. The application is used to evaluate applicants using objective criteria, which may include:

• Cal Poly GPA (or previous two-term GPA)
• Performance in relevant prerequisite coursework
• Ability to complete degree requirements within the university's expected timeframe
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Kinesiology or Public Health curriculum, career pathways, and academic expectations

**The use of AI in application responses may invalidate the application.

The department anticipates that an ICMA may include:

• Maintaining a minimum of 2.6 Cal Poly GPA during the ICMA semester.
• Earning a B- or better in two designated courses, typically courses in which the student is currently enrolled.

Questions? Contact kph@calpoly.edu

The completion of coursework without prior consultation with the intended major department does not guarantee the student eligibility to switch into the intended major.

Statistics

ICMAs are based on department capacity. To be considered for an ICMA, students must have:

• Credit for a first course in statistics (e.g., STAT 1110, STAT 1210, or STAT 1510). Credit can be via Advanced Placement test credit or transfer credit from community college or other higher education institutions.
• Eligibility to enroll in MATH 1264

A typical ICMA would then have B- or better performance in:

• MATH 1264
• STAT 3520
• AND CSC 1001 if this was also in the student’s current major

The completion of coursework without prior consultation with the intended major department does not guarantee the student eligibility to switch into the intended major.

How to submit an eligibility inquiry form for the first time

In your Cal Poly portal -> Academics Tab -> Change of Major -> Submit an Inquiry Form

Choose your intended major.

Complete the required questions. Each response has a 2,000 character limit (including spaces). Save your responses in a separate document in case you need to resubmit an inquiry form in the future.

After submitting, you will receive a confirmation email from retention@calpoly.edu with the subject line “Change of Major Inquiry Form Received.” Within 10 academic business days your eligibility status will be updated in the Change of Major portlet and you will receive an email notification to your Cal Poly email.  

Note that you can only have 1 active eligibility inquiry form at a time. If you need to submit a new inquiry form for a different major, refer to the information below.

How to check the status of your eligibility inquiry form

In your Cal Poly portal -> Academics Tab -> Change of Major -> view the status of your inquiry under the "Change of Major Inquiry Form Details."

The default status of a new change of major inquiry is “Requires Attention.” This status will be updated within 10 academic business days after your eligibility has been determined by the Change of Major Coordinator. You may receive an email with additional instructions to follow, depending on your prospective major. 

The Change of Major Coordinator will evaluate your eligibility and update your status within 10 academic business days to one of the following:

• Eligible: Student meets initial change of major requirements to proceed to next steps of developing an Individualized Change of Major Agreement (ICMA) as outlined in the email from the Change of Major Coordinator.
• Not Eligible: Student does not meet initial change of major requirements to proceed to next steps for developing an ICMA. An advisors from the Mustang Success Center will reach out to the student to help determine next steps.
• Pending Further Action: Student eligibility for an ICMA is dependent on additional information. Student must proceed with next steps as outlined in the email from the Change of Major Coordinator.

You will be notified by your Cal Poly email account within 10 academic business days of updated status and the next steps you will need to take. Follow the directions outlined in the email.

A student can only have one (1) active inquiry form. In order to submit a new inquiry form for a different major, the student will either need to a.) withdraw their current inquiry form through their portlet or b.) be deemed “not eligible” by the Change of Major Coordinator.

To withdraw your inquiry form, go to your Cal Poly portal -> Academics tab -> Change of Major.

In the Change of Major portlet, click the “Withdraw” button at the bottom of the inquiry form details and select “Yes, Withdraw” in the pop-up window to confirm.  

Once your form has been withdrawn, your status will change to “WITHDRAWN_BY_STUDENT.” 

After you have withdrawn a change of major inquiry in the Change of Major portlet, click on the “Start New Inquiry" button at the bottom of the page.