Change of Major and Declaration of Minor

Student Populations

N.U.in, London Scholars, New York City Scholars, NU Immerse or Foundation Year

Students enrolled in one of the above-mentioned programs should refer to program-specific change of major procedures and contacts for more information.

Oakland

Oakland students may request a change to Boston-based majors beginning in Spring of their first year. Students must meet the admission criteria listed below and should work with Oakland advising for guidance on the campus and major change process and timeline.

Boston

Boston undergraduate students should follow the process and admission criteria below.

Process (Boston students)

Step 1: Reflection

Before beginning the formal process, evaluate your readiness for engineering coursework. The engineering curriculum assumes completion of one year of pre-college physics, chemistry, and precalculus. Reflect on your interest in applying math and science to solve real-world problems. Review suggested strategies, resources and other important information on our Major Exploration page.

Step 2: Submit Change of Major Request
Submit the Change of Major Request Form.

Step 3: Academic Advising Appointment

Current Engineering Students changing to a new Engineering major
After submitting your Change of Major Request Form, you will receive a confirmation email directing you to schedule an advising appointment. If your current academic advisor supports your new intended major, you can schedule an appointment with them. If your current advisor does not work with your new intended major, you will be directed to schedule an appointment with a different advisor, identified in the confirmation email.

Students in other Colleges
After submitting your Change of Major Request Form, you will receive an e-mail directing you to schedule an academic advising appointment with a designated advisor for your intended major. Please wait to schedule your meeting until you receive your designated advising contact.  During this meeting, the advisor will review the change of major criteria, program requirements, and recommended coursework.

Admission Criteria 

All applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Good academic standing with a cumulative Northeastern undergraduate GPA of 2.0 or above
• Minimum grade of C (or advanced standing credit) in one required math course and one required engineering Chemistry or Physics course
• No more than two deficiencies (F, I, W, U grades) in required program coursework as outlined in the catalog

Deadlines

Boston students in the College of Engineering  

• Requests are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the semester
• Students will be contacted within two weeks of submission

Students in Other Colleges 

Petitions to change to the College of Engineering will be reviewed at specific points in each semester as indicated below. Students who’ve submitted their Change of Major petition can expect to hear from COE Advising within 2 weeks of the next review date.

• Spring 2026: March 1st & April 26th
• Summer 2026: June 21st & August 16th

• If you are a COE student, please contact your assigned academic advisor to declare a COE Minor.
• If you are a non-COE student, please submit the College of Engineering Declaration of Minor form.  An academic advisor will be in contact with you within 2 weeks of the form submission.
• Students should declare a minor as early as possible and no later than the end of the junior year. Students must fulfill all requirements for the minor and major concurrently and may not extend their program of study to complete a minor. Completion of the requirements of a minor is noted on the transcript.