Major Specific Admission Requirements

Major Specific Admission Requirements

Our colleges have found there are certain requirements that indicate success and preparedness for specific majors. Therefore, several majors at UTSA have additional admission requirements in order for incoming freshmen and transfer students to be admitted directly into a college and major.

We want you to be as prepared for your major as possible. If you do not meet the stated requirements initially but meet UTSA’s general admission requirements, then you will be admitted into UTSA’s University College in a focused “studies” program based upon the major you applied for.

These “studies” offer prerequisite coursework and core classes appropriate for your intended major and are built specifically to prepare you for success in that major. Students are then able to move into their major and college upon successful completion of these courses.

Major Specific Admission Requirements

Majors or degree programs that have additional requirements are listed below, organized by college.

College of Architecture, Construction & Planning

Students interested in majoring in Architecture, Construction Science & Management or Interior Design must meet the following admission requirements:

FRESHMEN

High School Class Rank Minimum Test Scores
Top 10% 1350 SAT* or 29 ACT

* New SAT scores combine Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math.

TRANSFER

Transferable Credits Minimum GPA (4.0 Scale)
< 12 hours 3.0 GPA and must meet freshmen requirements and go through a portfolio review
> 12 hours 3.0 GPA and go through a portfolio review

Freshmen and Transfer students who do not meet the above requirements, but meet UTSA’s general admission requirements will be part of “Architecture, Construction & Planning Studies” where students will be able to work towards meeting the pre-requisites needed to declare Architecture or Interior Design as their major.

Students interested in majoring in Construction Science & Management must meet the following admission requirements:

FRESHMEN

High School Class Rank Minimum Test Scores
Top 10% 1350 SAT* or 29 ACT

* New SAT scores combine Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math.

TRANSFER

Transferable Credits Minimum GPA (4.0 Scale)
< 12 hours 3.2 GPA and must meet freshmen requirements
> 12 hours 3.2 GPA

Freshmen and Transfer students who do not meet the above requirements, but meet UTSA’s general admission requirements will be part of “Architecture, Construction & Planning Studies” where students will be able to work towards meeting the pre-requisites needed to declare Construction Science & Management as their major.

College of Business

Students interested in majoring in Accounting, Actuarial Science, Cyber Security (not including Online Cyber Security), Economics, Finance, Information Systems, Management, Management Science, Marketing or Real Estate Finance & Development must meet the following admission requirements.

FRESHMEN

High School Class Rank Minimum Test Scores
Top 25% 1170 SAT* or 24 ACT
Second 25% 1270 SAT* or 26 ACT

* New SAT scores combine Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math.

TRANSFER

Transferable Credits Minimum GPA (4.0 Scale)
< 12 hours
  • 3.0 GPA and must meet freshmen requirements
  • completed MAT 1033 Algebra with Calculus for Business or MAT 1133 Calculus for Business with grade C or better
  • be TSI Complete
> 12 hours
  • 3.0 GPA
  • completed MAT 1033 Algebra with Calculus for Business or MAT 1133 Calculus for Business with grade C or better
  • be TSI Complete

Freshmen and Transfer students who do not meet the above requirements, but meet UTSA’s general admission requirements will be part of “Business Studies” where students will be able to work towards meeting the pre-requisites needed to declare their business major.

College of Education & Human Development

FRESHMEN

Students interested in Interdisciplinary Studies will not be able to be admitted directly into the major because this major cannot be declared as a freshman. Students interested in Interdisciplinary Studies must meet UTSA’s general admission requirements and will be admitted into “Interdisciplinary Education Studies” until all requirements can be met at UTSA.

TRANSFER

Transfers who are interested in majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies will be admitted into “Interdisciplinary Education Studies” in the University College unless they are transferring in as a Junior and meet the following requirements, which will be assessed when students meet with their Academic Advisor.

  • Academic Good standing
  • Clear criminal history
  • Attain junior standing (60 semester credit hours)
  • Complete all core requirements
  • Have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) on all work completed
  • Have completed 12-15 hours of content coursework. Math and Science certification tracks must have 15 hours completed
  • Attain minimum passing scores to demonstrate basic skills in reading, written communication, and mathematics C- or Better in coursework:
    – Reading: any course in the Language
    – Philosophy and Culture Core Math (any course in the Math Core)
    – Writing: WRC 1013 and WRC 1023
  • SAT: Composite score of 1070 or higher
  • ACT: Composite score of 23 or higher
  • Earn a “C” or better in WRC 1023.
  • Demonstrate English Language Proficiency. Earn a “C-” or better in a public speaking course (WRC 1013, COM 1043, COM 1053, COM 2123, COM 2113. Credit for WRC 1013 through AP or CLEP will not be accepted. Teacher Candidates who did not receive an associate’s degree or high school diploma from an accredited institution in the United States will be required to take the TOEFL IBT in order to demonstrate proficiency. Required score for TOEFL IBT is a 26 on the oral language section.
  • Read and Sign the Code of Ethics. Students will need to turn in the last page of the Code of Ethics signed and dated to MB 3.214. Code of Ethics
  • EC-6 BBL and 4-8 BBL will be required to have taken the ALPS test

FRESHMEN only

Students interested in Nutrition & Dietetics will not be able to be admitted directly into the major because this major cannot be declared as a freshman. Students interested in Nutrition & Dietetics must meet UTSA’s general admission requirements and will be admitted into the “Life and Health Science Studies” until all requirements can be met at UTSA.

Students who are interested in majoring in Health, Kinesiology or Public Health must meet the below admission requirements

FRESHMEN only

High School Class Rank Minimum Test Scores
Top 10% No minimums, must be TSI Complete
Top 15% 1350 SAT* or 29 ACT

* New SAT scores combine Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math.

Freshmen who do not meet the above requirements, but meet UTSA’s general admission requirements will be part of “Life and Health Science Studies” where students will be able to work towards meeting the pre-requisites needed to declare Health, Kinesiology or Public Health as their major.

College of Engineering

Students interested in majoring in Biomedical Engineering or Chemical Engineering must meet the following admission requirements:

FRESHMEN

High School Class Rank Minimum Test Scores
Top 10% No minimums, but must Calculus I Ready and TSI Complete
Top 25% 1170 SAT* or 24 ACT and Calculus I Ready
Second 25% 1170 SAT* or 24 ACT and Calculus I Ready
AND requirements listed here Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering.

* New SAT scores combine Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math.

TRANSFER

Transferable Credits GPA and Coursework
1-29
  • 2.5 Overall GPA and 2.5 STEM GPA
  • completed Calculus I (MAT 1214) with C- or better
  • completed Composition I (WRC 1013) with C- or better
  • meet UTSA freshmen admission requirements if GPA is < 2.75
≥ 30
  • Guaranteed Admission:
    • 2.5 Overall GPA and 2.5 STEM GPA
    • completed Calculus I (MAT 1214) with C- or better
    • completed Composition I (WRC 1013) with C- or better
  • Admission by Comittee Review:
    • 2.25 Overall GPA and 2.25 STEM GPA
    • completed Calculus I (MAT 1214) with C- or better
    • completed Composition I (WRC 1013) with C- or better
AND requirements listed here Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering.

Freshmen who do not meet the above requirements, but meet UTSA’s general admission requirements will be part of “Engineering, Math and Sciences Studies” where students will be able to work towards meeting the pre-requisites needed to declare Biomedical Engineering or Chemical Engineering as their major.

Students interested in majoring in Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering must meet the following admission requirements:

FRESHMEN

High School Class Rank Minimum Test Scores
Top 10% No minimums, but must Calculus I Ready and TSI Complete
Top 25% 1170 SAT* or 24 ACT and Calculus I Ready
Second 25% 1170 SAT* or 24 ACT and Calculus I Ready

* New SAT scores combine Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math.

TRANSFER

Transferable Credits GPA and Coursework
1-29
  • 2.5 Overall GPA and 2.5 STEM GPA
  • completed Calculus I (MAT 1214) with C- or better
  • completed Composition I (WRC 1013) with C- or better
  • meet UTSA freshmen admission requirements if GPA is < 2.75
≥ 30
  • Guaranteed Admission
    • 2.5 Overall GPA and 2.5 STEM GPA
    • completed Calculus I (MAT 1214) with C- or better
    • completed Composition I (WRC 1013) with C- or better
  • Admission by Committee Review
    • 2.25 Overall GPA and 2.25 STEM GPA
    • completed Calculus I (MAT 1214) with C- or better
    • completed Composition I (WRC 1013) with C- or better

Freshmen who do not meet the above requirements, but meet UTSA’s general admission requirements will be part of “Engineering, Math and Sciences Studies” where students will be able to work towards meeting the pre-requisites needed to declare Civil, Computer, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering as their major.

College of Liberal and Fine Arts

FRESHMEN and TRANSFER

Freshmen and Transfer students who are interested in majoring in Music must apply to audition. Students who are admitted to UTSA as a music major will be admitted in the “Arts & Humanities Studies.” Students who successfully complete their audition will eventually see their majors changed to Music.

FRESHMEN

Freshmen who are interested in majoring in Psychology must the following requirements:

High School Class Rank Minimum Test Scores
Top 25% minimum of 1170 SAT* or 24 ACT and be TSI Complete

TRANSFER

Transfer students who are interested in majoring in Psychology must meet the general UTSA admission requirements and transfer in the following or equivalent courses with the grade of “C-” or better:

  • PSY 1013 Introduction to Psychology
    AND
  • one of the following math – MAT 1023, MAT 1033, MAT 1073, MAT 1093, MAT 1133, MAT 1193, MAT 1214, or STA 1053

* New SAT scores combine Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math.

Students who do not meet the above requirements, but meet UTSA’s general admission requirements will be part of “Social Sciences & Public Policy Studies” where students will be able to work towards meeting the pre-requisites needed to declare Psychology as their major.

College of Sciences

Students interested in majoring in Biology or Microbiology & Immunology must meet the following additional requirements.

FRESHMEN

High School Class Rank* Minimum Test Scores
Top 15% 1350 SAT* or 29 ACT and Calculus I Ready

* New SAT scores combine Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math.

TRANSFER

Transfer students interested in Biology and Microbiology & Immunology must meet the general UTSA transfer admission requirements and also transfer the following or equivalent courses with a grade of “C” or better:

  • BIO 1404 Biosciences I
  • MAT 1023 College Algebra with Applications or MAT 1073 Algebra for Scientists and Engineers

Students who do not meet the above requirements, but meet UTSA’s general admission requirements will be part of “Life & Health Sciences Studies” where students will be able to work towards meeting the pre-requisites needed to declare Biology or Microbiology & Immunology as their major.

Students interested in majoring in Biochemistry, Chemistry, or Computer Science must meet the following additional requirements.

FRESHMEN

High School Class Rank* Minimum Test Scores
Top 15% 1350 SAT* or 29 ACT and Calculus I Ready

* New SAT scores combine Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math.

TRANSFER

Transfer students must meet the general UTSA admission requirements and be Calculus I Ready to be admitted into the above College of Sciences programs.

Students who do not meet the above requirements, but meet UTSA’s general admission requirements will be part of “Life & Health Sciences Studies” or “Engineering, Mathematics, and Sciences Studies” where students will be able to work towards meeting the pre-requisites needed to declare Biochemistry, Chemistry or Computer Science as their major.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a focused “studies” pathway?

A focused “studies” pathway is based on the major that you applied for, but it also includes several other similar majors. For example, there are 10 majors grouped under the Business Studies pathway: actuarial science, accounting, cyber security, economics, finance, information systems, management science, management, marketing, and real estate finance and development. For these focused “studies,” the courses you need to take in your first year at UTSA are common to all the majors in that pathway. This allows you to take the appropriate courses to work toward your degree and be grouped with other students who have similar academic interests to yours.

What is University College?

University College is one of UTSA’s nine colleges and its mission is devoted exclusively to undergraduate students and their success. University College collaborates with other colleges, departments, and offices throughout the university that are focused on helping you achieve academic excellence — no matter what your major is. University College also houses the Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Why am I not admitted to the program I applied for?

Some of the academic programs at UTSA have specific requirements to be admitted directly into the program. These requirements are in place to ensure you are successful when you do enter the program.

How can I move from a Studies to a major/degree program?

Your academic advisor will be able to tell you what is needed to move from the focused studies pathway to your intended major/degree program. In most cases, these are a set of courses that you need to complete within your first two or three semesters at UTSA. Once these are completed, you will be automatically moved into your major/degree program.

Can I change the major I indicated on my application?

Yes, you can change your major when you come for orientation. Depending on the requirements for your new major, you will either be admitted directly into the academic program or into the corresponding focused studies pathway.