College of Letters & Science students must submit a request to change majors from one department to another or upon completion of prerequisites for a major (pre-major) to the full major. Undeclared students should declare a major no later than the end of their junior year. A major change requires the approval of the chair of the prospective department and, in some circumstances, the Dean of Undergraduate Education. This process must also be completed by College of Creative Studies or College of Engineering students who plan to pursue a major within the College of Letters and Science.

Students planning to pursue a new major or add a double major within the College of Creative Students or the College of Engineering should contact the new department advisor before they begin the process. For the College of Creative Studies, consult a college advisor. 

 

Expand the petition link for detailed instructions.

Change of Major Process

Purpose: This process is used by Letters & Science students to:

  1. Change majors within the College of Letters & Science.
  2. Declare a major within the College of Letters & Science.
  3. Add or Drop a Double Major within the College of Letters & Science.

Instructions:

The change of major process has moved to UCSB’s Student Success Hub (SSH). Using SSH, students are able to track the progress of their change of major as it is reviewed by the major department and, if necessary, by their college.  Beginning March 31st, the Office of the Registrar will no longer accept paper Change of Major forms.

Update Major through SSH

Note: If you are switching to a major in another college (for example from Letters and Science to Computer Science in the College of Engineering) contact the new department advisor before you begin the process. For the College of Creative Studies, consult a college advisor.

Petition Processing & Notification: After the appropriate department(s) have approved the change, allow 4-6 weeks for College of Letters & Science approval. Once the change of major has been approved in SSH, it will appear automatically in GOLD.

Why would you need the College's Approval?

In most cases, the department's approval is all you need. However, the approval of the Dean of Undergraduate Education is also needed if:

  • You are attempting to change your major after you have completed 135 units or more (i.e., Senior Standing)
  • You are changing to or from the College of Engineering or College of Creative Studies. 
  • You are proposing a double major (see Double Major Petition below).

Note: Students who request a change of major late in their academic careers may not be approved if they need to complete more than 200 units to fulfill all degree requirements. Departmental undergraduate advisors can assist students in understanding the parameters impacting admission to the majors of their choice.

 

Change of College Petition

Purpose:  This petition should be completed by:

  • College of Letters & Science students planning to change to a major within the College of Creative Studies or the College of Engineering.
  • A College of Creative Studies or the College of Engineering student planning to change to a major within the College of Letters & Science.

Petition Instructions:

  • Contact the department advisor for the new major in the College of Engineering if you intend to leave the College of Letters and Science.
  • Contact a College of Creative Studies advisor if you plan to switch from Letters and Science to a CCS major.

Petition Processing & Notification: After the appropriate department(s) have approved the change, allow 4-6 weeks for College of Letters & Science approval. Once the change of major has been approved in SSH, it will appear automatically in GOLD.

Dual College Process

Purpose:

  • College of Letters & Science students planning to add or drop a double major within the College of Creative Studies or the College of Engineering.
  • College of Creative Studies or the College of Engineering students planning to add or drop a major within the College of Letters & Science.

Petition Instructions:

  • Contact the department advisor for the new major in the College of Engineering if you are a Letters and Science student intending to add an Engineering major.
  • If you plan to add a College of Creative Studies major, contact an advisor in the College of Creative Studies.

Petition Processing & Notification: After the appropriate department(s) have approved the change, allow 4-6 weeks for College of Letters & Science approval. Once the change of major has been approved in SSH, it will appear automatically in GOLD.