Coursework requirements

You need to enroll in classes that are consistent with your College of Human Ecology interests (see below) and any pre-professional preparation you are pursuing, and that are appropriate for and keep you in good standing in your current college/major.

  • Updates to the coursework requirements for the Spring 2024 and Fall 2024 application cycles will be posted in mid-August. Be sure to base your selections on the updated listing.
  • Review course requirements for "All Majors" and those specific to your target major. 
  • Courses must be completed or in progress at the time of application. Meeting the course requirements does not guarantee admission.
  • Courses must be taken for a letter grade.
    • our most competitive internal transfer applicants will have a minimum Cornell University cumulative GPA of 3.0, with grades of "B" or better in courses for their target major;
  • Review the curriculum sheet for your target major to more fully understand the requirements listed below.
  • The College of Human Ecology and its departments adhere to their own established AP/IB rules. Refer to curriculum sheets for more information.

Required Coursework for Internal Transfers

All Majors (also see your target major)
  • (1 – 2 semesters) First-Year Writing Seminars [AP Note: The College of Human Ecology accepts a score of (5) on the AP English Literature and Composition or the AP English Language and Composition exam as fulfillment of a maximum of one Freshman Writing Seminar. One FWS must be taken at Cornell University.]
  • (1 semester) Quantitative (Mathematics, Statistics) course [Refer to your target major curriculum sheet for more information.] [AP Note: The College of Human Ecology accepts a score of (4) or (5) on the AP Calculus BC exam as Calculus fulfillment. We do not accept AP Calculus AB.]
  • (1 – 2 semesters) Natural Sciences/Biology/Chemistry/Physics coursework [Refer to your target major curriculum sheet for more information.]
    • All premed/health applicants, regardless of target major, must have the Chemistry 2070-2080 sequence completed or in progress at the time of application.
    • The CHE Admissions Committee recommends that students pursue "Natural Science I", when the option to choose between "Natural Science I" or "Natural Science 2" is listed. Premed path students, regardless of major, must have completed/in progress the Chemistry 2070-2080 sequence.
Design + Environmental Analysis

Field-specific coursework (at least one major course is required): 

  • DEA 1100*, 1101*, 1110 or 1200, 1150, 1500*, 2510

*Summer offerings are appropriate for the internal transfer process.     

Additional Requirements:

Complementary Preparation:

  • HD 1120 or 1130
  • ECON 1110
Fashion Design & Management: Fashion Design

Field-specific coursework (at least one major course is required, though two major courses are preferred): 

  • FSAD 1250, 1350, 1450, 2310 
  • For those applying to enter as juniors you must have already taken FSAD 1170, 1450, and 2640.

Additional Requirements:

 Complementary Preparation:

  • HD 1120 or 1130
  • ECON 1110
Fashion Design & Management: Fashion Design Management

Field-specific coursework (at least one major course is required, though two major courses are preferred): 

  • FSAD 1250, 1350, 1450, 2310 

Additional Requirements

 Complementary Preparation:

  • HD 1120 or 1130
  • Coursework in PUBPOL, DEA, NS
Fiber Science

Field-specific coursework (at least one major course is required): 

  • FSAD 1350/1360, 2370

Additional Requirements:

  • See "All Majors" above with the following specific quantitative and science requirements
    • Calculus (MATH 1110-1120, MATH 1110-1220, OR MATH 1910-1920); and 
    • [for junior transfer only] Physics (PHYS 1101-1102, PHYS 1112-1113, OR PHYS 2207-2208)
  • CHEM 2070/2080, CHEM 2090/2080, or CHEM 2150/2160
  • Design Supplement

Complementary Preparation:

  • CS 1110, CS 1112, or CS 2100
  • Statistics (PUBPOL 2100, AEM 2100, ILRST/STSCI 2100, Math 1710, or ENGRD 2700);
  • Coursework in HD, DEA, NS
Global and Public Health Sciences

Field-specific coursework (at least one major course is required): 

  • NS 1600 or NS 2600 with a grade of "B" (not "B-") or better

Additional Requirements:

  • See "All Majors" above
  • One required Introductory Chemistry course (see GPHS curriculum sheet for options) with a grade of "C" or better
  • One required Introductory Biology course (see GPHS curriculum sheet for options) with a grade of "C" or better

Complementary Preparation:

  • Biology (see GPHS curriculum sheet for options)
  • Coursework in HD, PUBPOL, DEA, FSAD
  • STSCI 2150 or BTRY 3010
Human Biology, Health, and Society

Field-specific coursework (at least one major course is required): 

  • NS 1150, 1220, 2600, 3410

Additional Requirements:

  • See "All Majors" above
  • CHEM 2070 (or CHEM 2090) and CHEM 2080
  • For junior transfers
    • CHEM 3570/3580
    • At least (3) credits that fulfill the HBHS Introductory Biology requirement (see HBHS curriculum sheet)

Complementary Preparation:

Human Development Major

Field-specific coursework (at least one major course is required): 

  • HD 1130, 2090, 2150, 2170, 2180, 2510, 2610

Additional Requirements:

Nutritional Sciences

Field-specific coursework (at least one major course is required): 

  • NS 1150, 1220, 2450, 3410, 3450

Additional Requirements:

  • See "All Majors" above
  • CHEM 2070 (or 2090)/2080
  • For junior transfers
    • CHEM 3570/3580
    • At least (3) credits that fulfill the NS Introductory Biology requirement (see NS curriculum sheet)

Complementary Preparation:

Health Care Policy (Brooks School)

Follow the Brooks School of Public Policy internal transfer guidelines.

Public Policy (Brooks School)

Follow the Brooks School of Public Policy internal transfer guidelines.