Transfer from within the University of Minnesota Twin Cities or Rochester campuses to CLA

Learn how to add a College of Liberal Arts (CLA) major or minor to your current University of Minnesota Twin Cities (UMTC) non-CLA degree program or how to transfer to CLA from another UMTC college or University of Minnesota Rochester.

Earning a CLA Major or Minor as a Non-CLA student

It is possible for degree-seeking students in other UMTC colleges to earn a CLA major or minor without being admitted to a CLA degree program. CLA majors can be added as a second major to your current degree. Some CLA majors and minors require that you complete certain prerequisites before declaring the major or minor. You work directly with the CLA department advisor to declare the major or minor, which is then added to your current degree program. 

Go to the department website to learn more about how to declare your intended CLA major or minor. The CLA Majors, Minors & Program webpage provides a list of all CLA majors and minors with a link to the department.
 

Transfer to CLA from another Twin Cities college or University of Minnesota Rochester 

How to Apply to CLA

Students enrolled in other UMTC colleges wanting to transfer to CLA or add a CLA degree as an additional degree must submit the Undergraduate Change of College & Additional Degree Application. 

If you are applying for an additional degree, keep in mind that CLA degree programs include some requirements that your current college may not. Students who plan to earn a CLA degree in addition to their first degree must meet all CLA degree requirements.   

Students enrolled at the University of Minnesota Rochester wanting to transfer to CLA must submit the Undergraduate Change of College & Additional Degree Application.    

When filling out the application:

• Selecting a CLA major (degree program) - You are required to select a CLA degree program from the dropdown menu. CLA allows students to indicate a second choice degree program.  If you indicate two CLA degree programs, you will be reviewed for admission based on your second choice if you are denied for your first choice.
• Change of College explanation - you are required to provide a short explanation about your reason for applying to CLA. CLA would like you to provide a three to five sentence explanation as to why you are looking to transfer to CLA, including your CLA major interest and how this fits with your long-term goals.
   

Admissions Requirements

General Guidelines

The primary criteria that students must meet to be eligible for admission to the College of Liberal Arts are:

• Have a University of Minnesota cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Priority admission to CLA is given to students who have obtained a 2.5 cumulative GPA or above in UM coursework, and who are in academic good standing, which means they are not on academic warning or suspended. 

Admission to CLA is also based on an assessment of the applicant's academic record and potential for success in the designated major. Primary review factors include completion of appropriate prerequisite courses and the applicant’s cumulative grade point average. Other factors include the applicant’s progress toward the intended degree, grade point average in major relevant coursework, and grade trends.

Major-Specific College Admission Guidelines

The following majors have specific admission requirements that are considered  in addition to the general CLA guidelines. Students can apply to CLA with the listed prerequisite(s) in-progress. The College will hold for final grades for the in-progress coursework and will make the admission decision once grades are posted.

Please note: When admitted to CLA, students are not admitted directly to the major. CLA students declare or are admitted to the major after they have been admitted to CLA and have completed or met the major declaration or major admission requirements set by the department. 

• Computer Science - Applicants must meet the following criteria:                  
     - Successful completion of Calculus I and at least one computer science course with grades           
       of C- or better.                 
     - A Computer Science technical GPA of 2.5 for Spring 2026 admission review. The technical        
       grade point average (or technical GPA) is calculated using your University of Minnesota Twin Cities     
       grades in specific courses. The minimum technical GPA may change for future semesters. 

  Admission to CLA and admission to the Computer Science BA major are different processes. Admission to CLA does not guarantee admission to the Computer Science BA major.  

• Biology, Society, and Environment; Human Physiology - Applicants must have completed at least two college-level courses from Chemistry, Biology, Physics, or Math (College Algebra or a higher level) with grades of C- or better.
• Chemistry; Earth Sciences; Environmental Geosciences - Applicants must have completed at least one college Chemistry course and a college level Math course (College Algebra or a higher level) with grades of C- or better.
• Physics; Astrophysics - Applicants must have completed at least one college Physics course and a college level Math course (College Algebra or a higher level) with grades of C- or better..
• Mathematics - Applicants must have completed College Algebra or a higher level of math with a grade of C- or better.
• Statistical Practice (BA); Statistical Science (BS) - Applicants must have completed at least one college level Statistics course and a college level Math course (College Algebra or a higher level) with a grades of C- or better.

There are some CLA degree programs that require admission to the program prior to admission to the college. These programs have additional program admission requirements:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Acting
• Bachelor of Music (BMUS) in Performance, Music Education or Music Therapy
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Art

University of Minnesota Rochester Students 

In addition to the Application for Undergraduate Change of College form, University of Minnesota Rochester students must also submit final high school transcripts and official transcripts for any non-UM college coursework to the Twin Cities Office of Admissions in order to be reviewed for admission to CLA. 

Application Deadlines 

• Spring semester deadline - Priority - October 1; Final - January 1
• Fall semester deadlines - Priority - February 1; Final - August 15

A decision will be communicated 2-4 weeks after the priority deadline or application submission.

Questions?  You can contact CLA Transfer Advising if you have questions about the change of college process - [email protected].

For more information about the CLA transfer process after admission, visit the CLA Orientation website.