Transfer from within the University

Learn about transferring to the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences (CFANS) from other colleges within the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities system.

Prospective students are encouraged to contact Bre Anderson Berg to learn more about the CFANS Change of College process, timeline, and majors at [email protected] or arrange an appointment at bre.appointments.umn.edu. Students should meet with Bre before arranging appointments with any CFANS Academic Advisors.

Prerequisite courses and review criteria

Admission to CFANS is based on an assessment of the applicant's academic record and potential for success in the designated major. Primary review factors include completion of appropriate prerequisite courses and the applicant’s cumulative grade point average. Other factors include the applicant’s progress toward the intended degree, grade point average in major relevant coursework, and grade trends.

Transfer students will be considered for admission to CFANS having met both of the following criteria:

  • A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Current University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus students will be considered for transfer admission based primarily on their grades earned at the Twin Cities campus.
  • Successful transfer applicants will have completed College Algebra (or higher) or a statistics course equivalent to STAT 3011. These courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
  • Note: Fulfilling College Algebra or a higher math course is the preferred option for most CFANS majors. You may be required to complete a different math course or additional math courses to meet the requirements for your major. For questions on which math courses are required for your major, contact CFANS Student Services Coordinator, Bre Anderson Berg, at [email protected].

Timeline for completing prerequisite courses:

  • Fall applicants must have one of these courses completed or in progress by their spring semester.
  • Spring applicants must have one of these courses completed or in progress by their fall semester.
  • Summer courses taken for requirements will transfer but CANNOT be used for the following fall semester admission. Ex: Summer 2025 courses cannot be used to meet requirements for Fall 2025 admission only for Spring 2026 or after. 

Major-Specific Admission Guidelines

The following majors have specific admission requirements in addition to the general CFANS guidelines.

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Animal Science major, Pre-Vet emphasis:

  • We recommend that applicants to the Pre-Vet emphasis have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and we also recommend that they have completed the following courses with a grade of B or higher:
  • College Algebra
  • One semester of Intro Chemistry with lab (equivalent CHEM 1015/1017) or General Chemistry with lab (equivalent CHEM 1061/1065), prefer General Chemistry
  • One semester of General Biology with lab (equivalent to BIOL 1009)

Applied Economics

  • Applicants must have completed either Microeconomics or Macroeconomics with a grade of B- or better.

Agricultural and Food Business Management

  • Most successful applicants will have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher. 
  • Applicants must have completed either Microeconomics or Macroeconomics with a grade of B- or better.

Food Science

  • Preferred cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher. Successful applicants must have completed the following courses with a grade of C- or better
  • One semester of General Chemistry with lab (Equivalent to CHEM 1061/1065)
  • One semester of General Biology with lab (Equivalent to BIOL 1009)

Nutrition

  • Preferred cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher. 
  • Successful applicants must have completed the following courses with a grade of C or better
    • One semester of General Chemistry with lab (Equivalent to CHEM 1061/1065)
    • One semester of General Biology with lab (Equivalent to BIOL 1009)
      • If a student has one full year of Chemistry (equivalent to CHEM 1061/1065 and CHEM 1062/1066) then the student is not required to complete General Biology with a lab prior to admission.

Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering (Pre-Major)

  • Applicants who do not meet CSE Transfer requirements can still be considered for the Pre-BBE major if they meet CFANS' general guidelines.

Application Review

Change of College applications will be reviewed at the following times:

  • Fall: early October, early November, early December, and after grades are posted
  • Spring: early March, early April, early May, and after grades are posted

Communication regarding your application:

  • Students will receive an email two weeks after the associated review period noting if their application was approved, denied, or is pending.
  • Pending applications are common, likely due to an in-progress pre-requisite
  • You can contact Bre with questions regarding your application at any point during the process at [email protected].

Support

If you have additional questions, contact CFANS Student Services Coordinator, Bre Anderson Berg, at [email protected].

One-on-one appointments to discuss the Change of College application process, timeline, and CFANS majors are available at bre.appointments.umn.edu.