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Internal Transfer

UT students wishing to transfer into the College of Natural Sciences or from a major within CNS into computer science can find next steps here.

Internal Transfers

The College of Natural Sciences (CNS) Internal Transfer application opens in the Spring semester for Fall admission for currently enrolled students at The University of Texas at Austin. It also is a required process for CNS students applying to Computer Science.

Preparing for Internal Transfer

Academic Advising is not available for internal transfer applicants. The College of Natural Sciences is unable to support meetings with prospective internal transfer students.

Please plan to:

  1. Attend an (optional) Information Session
  2. Utilize the University Resources listed below to help you select courses
  3. Carefully read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Internal Transfer Student Checklist

To transfer and be a CNS student, you must:

  1. Complete 24 credit hours in-residence at UT Austin. Typically two long semesters (Fall & Spring).
  2. Complete the Admissions requirements of: 1 math and 2 science courses from the provided options.
  3. Earn Math and/or Science credit in-residence with a B- or better. The Interactive Degree Audit provides required courses.
  4. Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
  5. Have completed less than 90 hours total. Students with more than 60 hours, but less than 90 hours total, are able to appeal. Students who have already graduated from UT Austin or any other four-year institution are not eligible to apply for internal transfer.
  6. Submit your application by the deadline. Duplicate/Incomplete/Late Applications are automatically disqualified from consideration.

Programs with Separate Processes

Environmental Science

There is a separate Environmental Science Internal Transfer application process: 

Go to the Environmental Science Internal Transfer page

UTeach

If you are planning to be a future teacher and wish to receive UTeach teacher certification, your application essay should describe why you are interested in teaching and include your ideas about how to be an effective teacher. Additionally, UTeach applicants must: 

  • Have earned at least a 3.0 GPA (Required for Teacher Certification in Texas.)
  • Complete UTS 101 in residence.
  • If you’re a mathematics major, complete one of the following courses in-residence with a C- or better: M 408K, 408L, 408N, 408S, 408C, 408D, or 325K.
  • If you’re a science major, complete two of the following courses in-residence with a C- or better: BIO 311C, BIO 311D, BIO 325; CH 301, CH 302, CH 320M; PHY 301, PHY 316, PHY 315
  • Commit to at least three semesters in the UTeach program and complete all of the following: UTS 110, EDC 365C, and EDC 365D.

Exploring Natural Sciences Before You Apply

Degree Checklists: Prospective Internal Transfer students are encouraged to explore CNS's degree options. Most majors in CNS offer multiple degree options (B.A., B.S., B.S.A.), and each degree contains unique requirements. Some majors also have multiple Bachelor of Science concentrations.

Interactive Degree Audit (IDA): With your UT EID, you can create and view degree requirements online for any UT Austin degree. IDA provides you with a report of your progress toward completion of the requirements for a specific program. This is your tool to select courses for your intended major to stay on track for on-time graduation. Please visit IDA Resources for assistance.

Course Schedules: Students are encouraged to review course schedules to help with academic planning while in the application process. Course availability is not guaranteed.

Automated Transfer Equivalency System: The Automated Transfer Equivalency (ATE) system is a searchable transfer credit database for more than 320,000 courses at Texas Colleges and Universities. The ATE system provides UT Austin transfer credit evaluations for courses commonly transferred from Texas colleges and universities.

Apply for Internal Transfer

Applications are annual in the Spring semester for Fall semester admission, only. Duplicate/Incomplete/Late/Multiple applications are not considered. The Spring semester application will be available online in February and must be submitted by the end of spring deadline. 

Internal Transfer is a competitive process and completed student applications are reviewed holistically with admission decisions offered on a space available basis.

Eligibility Requirements:  

  • Complete a minimum of 24 semester hours in-residence. Applicants with spring semester hours "in progress" will be considered for in-residence credit hours. Web-based UT coursework is also permitted as in-residence credit hours. Summer courses taken after the application deadline do not count. Credit-by-exam, correspondence, extension, pass/fail, and transfer hours are not considered in-residence and will not fulfill the in-residence requirement.  
  • Complete one of the following courses: Mathematics (M) 408C, 408D, 408K, 408L, 408N, 408M, 408R, 408S, M 408Q; Statistics and Data Sciences SDS 302, SDS 302F, or choose from the Math options on the Acceptable Course Substitutions for your intended major. Admission to Math, Physics, Astronomy, or Computer Science: Calculus in residence is highly recommended. 
  • Complete any two of the following courses: Biology: BIO 311C, BIO 311D;  Chemistry: CH 301, CH 301C, CH 302; Physics: PHY 303K, and PHY 303L; or choose from the Science/Computer Science options on the Acceptable Course Substitutions for your intended major. The admission requirements can be a combination of any of the courses listed above and/or from the Acceptable Course Substitutions.
  • Submit an essay on how your selected major impacts the achievement of your educational and career goals.  
  • Submit short answer materials and resume.
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
     

Note: Letters of recommendation or supplemental materials are NOT accepted.

Additional Notes for Applicants 

Students are allowed to apply to internally transfer only up to two times. After two unsuccessful attempts to internally transfer to CNS students will not be able to apply again.

Preference is given to students pursuing a single major who can graduate within four years of entering the university. 

Enroll in 12-15 credit hours per semester with no Q drops, as this shows evidence of being able to handle the rigor of CNS courses. Completing science and math courses with grades of B- or better also shows an ability to succeed in CNS. 

Take courses that are in your intended Degree Checklist to stay on track to graduate and increase your competitiveness.

Do not retake coursework that you have earned credit for to apply for Internal Transfer. Instead, enroll in courses (that you meet the prerequisite for) in your intended degree checklist.

Meeting all minimum criteria does not guarantee admission. 

Letters of recommendation or supplemental materials are NOT accepted. 

Contact Us 

Please include your EID: cns.internal.transfer@austin.utexas.edu.
Not a current UT Austin student? Please email: CNSAdmissions@austin.utexas.edu 

Students: Always include your UT EID in your messages.