Current UTA students who wish to apply for a major change into a CAPPA undergraduate program must meet the specific requirements of the Department listed below. Major change is for the Fall semester only. Our programs will take a minimum of 8 semesters (4 years) for new students entering our programs. Please refer our degree maps.
IMPORTANT: As you consider a major change, please be aware of the University's excessive hours policies.
CAPPA undergraduate major change requirements:
Students fully accepted for major change in Architecture, Interior Design, or Sustainable Urban Design are accepted into the Basic Studies program.
The Basic Studies program students must complete all of the first 2 years (1st & 2nd year) major courses of the program they enter, in the prescribed sequence, also complete the required core curriculum for that program, and meet specific GPA requirements. The Basic Studies program prepares a foundation to students for declaring into the Major Studies program (see major declaration requirements) which is an additional 2 years (3rd & 4th year). Please refer to our degree plans.
To change majors into a Basic Studies program in CAPPA, we require:
1. Completion of 12 hours at UTA with a minimum 2.8 GPA
2. Minimum 2.8 GPA in any CAPPA classes taken, if applicable (ARCH, INTD, UDES, ESST, LARC, PAPP, PLAN),
3. Complete the CAPPA Major Change Module in Canvas (email arch.advising@uta.edu for access permission within the major change opening dates above).
4. Respond to 1 Design-thinking prompt (found in CAPPA Major Change Module) showing your passion for a design-based major.
Prospective major changes, who meet requirements 1-4 after their current semester grades have posted, would email arch.advising@uta.edu and the department will make a final decision based on:
5. Prompt question submission review
As an alternative, you have the opportunity to be designated as undeclared architecture (UARCH) or undeclared interior design (UINTD), depending on the program of your interest. You would remain under that designation for a maximum of 2 long semesters, during which time you must meet all of the requirements to officially change into our intended program or will be required to move on into another major.
You would not be an actual student in the School of Architecture; however you would be advised by Architecture advisors to ensure you are on the correct path to eventually change into the intended program. You will only be allowed to take architecture courses for which you possess the necessary prerequisites, based on space availability after our current major students have all been seated and with the permission of SoA advisors.
The next opportunity to change major into our intended program would be after the current active semester grades have been posted, given all requirements are met at that time. We do not consider any major change requests in the middle of an active semester.
We strongly recommend you consider attending a Maverick Experience Preview Day event to see a presentation about our program and to have an opportunity to speak with one of our advisors. The final decision will be based on the completion of the above requirements, space availability, and Department discretion.
Maverick ExperienceIt is the responsibility of the student to fulfill the above listed requirements and contact the School of Architecture Advising Office in a timely manner.
STUDENTS MUST WAIT UNTIL CURRENT SEMESTER GRADES POST AND THEN CONTACT OUR OFFICE BEFORE THE NEW SEMESTER BEGINS, IF ALL REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET.
Due to our course sequencing (Cohort) the undergraduate program takes a minimum of 8 semesters (4 years) to complete for all students.
Please read through our ‘Becoming A Student’ information.
Prospective StudentsIMPORTANT: As you consider major change, please be aware of the University's excessive hours policies.
Undergraduate students who enrolled initially in the fall 2006 semester or subsequent semesters cannot exceed more than 30 hours of the number of hours required for completion of the degree plan in which they are enrolled. Any hours beyond 30 are considered excessive and may result in additional tuition charges. Our program requires 128 hours of specific coursework. Under this policy, once you accrue 159 hours or more total, you will be charged out of State tuition charges.
Undergraduate students who enrolled initially in the fall 1999 semester or subsequent semesters cannot exceed more than 45 hours of the number of hours required for completion of the degree plan in which they are enrolled. Any hours beyond 45 are considered excessive and may result in additional tuition charges. Our program requires 128 hours of specific coursework. Under this policy, once you accrue 174 hours or more total, you will be charged out of State tuition charges.
Please see our MAJOR CHANGE PROCEDURE for specific instructions on our major change process.