Internal Transfer

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 is also a required process for CNS students applying to Computer Science, X+CS, Statistics and Data Science, and Public Health. 

Preparing for Internal Transfer

CNS advisors cannot meet with prospective students. Internal transfer is mainly a self-directed process with support from your current academic advisor. 

Resources for Internal Transfer:

• Information Session (Optional)
• University Resources such as degree checklists, Interactive degree audit, and the course schedule to help you select courses
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

CNS Internal Transfer Requirements

To apply to CNS, you must:

1. Complete 24 credit hours in residence at UT Austin. If you are applying to add a simultaneous (second) major in CNS, you must complete a minimum of 30 hours in residence
2. Complete 1 math and 2 science courses from the options listed below.
3. Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
4. Have completed less than 90 hours in-residence. Students with 90 hrs in residence or who have graduated from UT Austin or any other four-year institution are not eligible to apply for internal transfer.
5. Be able to graduate in four years total at UT Austin.   
6. Submit your application by the deadline. Duplicate/Incomplete/Late Applications are automatically disqualified from consideration.

These are the minimum requirements to submit an application. Internal transfer admission to CNS is a very competitive process and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. 

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

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.

Apply for Internal Transfer

Applications open in the Spring semester for Fall semester admission. Duplicate/Incomplete/Late/Multiple applications are not considered. The Spring semester application will be available online in February and must be submitted by the deadline posted on the application website. 

Students are allowed to apply to internally transfer only up to two times. After two unsuccessful attempts to internally transfer to CNS students cannot apply again.

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

Apply for Internal Transfer

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 a resume.

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

Suggestions for a more competitive application 

Admission to CNS is very competitive, and admission is offered on a space-available basis, which varies by major. Completing the suggestions below does not guarantee admission. 

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

• Take math and science courses in-residence. Take more than the minimum requirement and earn a B or higher in the courses. 
• Earn a GPA higher than 3.0.
• 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. 
• Take courses that are in your intended major 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.

Closed Majors for Current CNS students

The following majors in CNS are considered closed majors, meaning current CNS students cannot change into that major by speaking with their advisor. They must apply for internal transfer using the same processes and rules outlined above. Closed majors:

• Computer Science
• Computer Science + Neuroscience
• Computer Science + Linguistics
• Computer Science + History
• Environmental Science
• Informatics
• Public Health
• Statistics and Data Science

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.