The Graduate College Handbook for Students, Faculty and Staff
Chapter II: Student Status and Registration
B. Changing Departments or Programs
Students wishing to transfer from one academic program to another, either as a permanent transfer, or in order to obtain a degree from both programs, should use the petition process to request the transfer. With transfer by petition, students are not required to complete a new application, pay an application fee or provide copies of transcripts already on file. Departments may request additional information such as a new statement of purpose or new letters of reference. Departments with special application requirements may request that these requirements be completed. Both the current department and the anticipated department must comment on the transfer and sign the petition. The anticipated department must clearly indicate whether or not they accept the student, and the date when they wish the acceptance to be valid. The student’s current adviser must also sign the petition. When all signatures are obtained, the petition is forwarded to the Graduate and Professional Admissions and Academic Support Unit for consideration. International students with F-1 or J-1 visas who transfer from one program to another are required to obtain new immigration documents from International Student and Scholar Services.
