Incoming freshman - switching majors once admitted

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Irvine
1

My student has been admitted as a Geology(Earth Science Systems) major, his 2nd choice. He would like to switch to Business Administration, his 1st choice, once he accepts and has taken a few classes. How difficult is this? Is it even possible? Thanks for your help.

2

Below is the Business Admin change of major criteria. Read the information below since meeting requirements does not guarantee change of major. Would he be happy with another major such as Business Econ?

Business Administration
Cumulative UC GPA Students must meet BOTH requirements:

  • 2.70 GPA

  • 2.00 GPA for the quarter prior to changing major.
    Course grades Students must complete ALL of the following requirements:

  • Completion of Mathematics 2A-B

  • Completion of Economics 20A-B or Management 4A-B

  • Management 7, 30A, 30B

  • An average 3.00 GPA in all required management courses completed at the time of application.
    Other **Applications for change of majors will be processed quarterly. Please be advised that completion of the prerequisite courses does not guarantee admission into the major; *space is very limited.**Please consult the Merage School directly with additional questions:ugprograms@merage.uci.edu, 949.824.9426; SB2 Suite 202.

  • Junior-level standing (90 or more units).

  • If the eligible applicant pool exceeds the number of positions available, additional selection criteria will be grades in Mathematics 2A-B, Economics 20A-B, or Management 4A-B, Management 7, 30A and 30B.

Business Economics
Cumulative UC GPA
*2.00 GPA
And
*2.00 GPA for the quarter prior to changing major
Course grades: No grade below a “C” in Math 2A-B and Econ 20A-B, with an average of 2.50 GPA OR ABOVE

3

Thank you for your reply! Looking at the information you provided, it seems that Business Econ would be an easier “switch” and has a greater chance of being accepted. What are the differences between the two majors/degrees? Thanks again.

4

You can look up the course curriculum for each and compare.

The Business Economics major is for students seeking a business orientation in their study of economics. It does not replicate the traditional undergraduate business school curriculum. Instead, it offers a more tightly focused curriculum that is guided by the rigorous logic and integrative perspective of economics.

Below is the 4 year plan for Business Admin: https://merage.uci.edu/_files/documents/programs/undergraduate/key-4-Year-Plan.pdf

https://catalogue.uci.edu/thepaulmerageschoolofbusiness/businessadministration_ba/

Business Econ 4 year plan:
https://catalogue.uci.edu/schoolofsocialsciences/departmentofeconomics/businesseconomics_ba/#sampleprogramtext
https://catalogue.uci.edu/schoolofsocialsciences/departmentofeconomics/businesseconomics_ba/#requirementstext

5

Thank you! You have been very helpful :).

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6

https://changeofmajor.uci.edu/ is a general page on changing major at UCI.

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