Required preparatory courses for transfers
[Updated for the 2024 admissions cycle. Updates for the 2025 admissions cycle will be posted in June 2024.]
Carefully review the following information.
Your academic preparation and coursework choices for a possible transfer to the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University are critical components of the admissions process.
The required coursework outlined below is parallel to what our current CHE students complete during their first semesters. Completing the coursework requirements with strong grades does not guarantee admission but it does make an applicant more competitive in our applicant pool. Completing the coursework below also enables incoming transfer students to
- have the appropriate foundational academic preparation;
- to focus on major-specific courses; and
- to be on track for a timely graduation.
Transfer applicants who apply to enroll for their sophomore year are required to have completed, or to have in progress at the time of application, the “Required coursework”, which includes natural/life science, English Composition, quantitative, and social science coursework. Review the specific coursework requirements listed by major below. The “Additional coursework” is recommended, but not required for those applying to enroll as sophomores.
Those seeking to enroll for their junior year are required to complete the "Required coursework" and the "Additional coursework".
Important notes:
- Coursework outlined below must be completed at an accredited two- or four-year undergraduate institution that provides official transcripts and letter grades starting the first year. Cornell does not accept Pass/Fail coursework.
- Global and Public Health Sciences does not accept transfer students.
- Those applying to our Nutritional Sciences and Human Biology, Health and Society majors and/or those with premed/predentistry interests can apply to enter for fall semesters only.
- PREMED/HEALTH/DENTISTRY-interested applicants, regardless of major, who plan to apply to enter as sophomores are required to complete an academic year/two semester sequence in Introductory/General Chemistry with accompanying labs each semester in addition to any other specific science requirements based on your major of interest. Organic Chemistry does not satisfy this requirement.
- PREMED/HEALTH/DENTISTRY-interested applicants, regardless of major, who plan to apply to enter as juniors are also required to complete an academic year/two semester sequence of introductory biology with accompanying labs each semester, along with sequences in organic chemistry. Exceptional grades in those courses are expected.
- Placing out of a course at your first institution due to AP/IB exam scores, high school coursework, and/or placement exams administered by other institutions does not necessarily fulfill course requirements for the College of Human Ecology. The College of Human Ecology adheres to its own established policies. AP/IB score policies are reviewed each year and updates are made each summer. Updates may impact course planning prior to enrollment.
- Transfer applicants should not plan to use AP/IB credits to fulfill many/most of the required coursework.
-
Cornell University's semester system awards quarter system credits by calculating .67 credits per each credit of study at an institution on the quarter system. A 3-credit quarter system course therefore will be awarded 2 credits.
Required coursework by major
Required coursework by major
Required coursework (Sophomore and Junior transfer applicants.)
- General/Introductory Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters) [See note above if you also plan to pursue a premed/health/dentistry path.]
- English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters) — Refer to Cornell University's John S. Knight Institute to review the criteria that courses need to meet to satisfy this requirement.
- Statistics (3 credits)
- Precalculus* or Calculus (3 credits) if neither course was taken during high school.
- Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
Additional coursework (required for those applying to enroll as juniors. recommended, but not required for those applying to enroll as sophomores.)
- Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits)
- Studio in two- and three- dimensional design (3 credits)
Required for all applicants
A design supplement, which will be critically reviewed by design department faculty. Re-applicants must submit a new supplement. The Admissions Committee will not consider applications to this major unless the design supplement is submitted.
Note: Students interested in Fashion Design are strongly encouraged to apply for their sophomore year. Coursework/portfolio review will determine the number of semesters needed to graduate, if admitted.
Required coursework (Sophomore and Junior transfer applicants.)
- General/Introductory Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters) [See note above if you also plan to pursue a premed/health/dentistry path.]
- English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters) — Refer to Cornell University's John S. Knight Institute to review the criteria that courses need to meet to satisfy this requirement.
- Precalculus* or calculus (3 credits)
- Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
Additional coursework (required for those applying to enroll as juniors. recommended, but not required for those applying to enroll as sophomores.)
- Statistics (3 credits) or Computer Science (3 credits)
- Design or Studio Art
- Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits)
- Introductory anthropology or sociology (3 credits)
Required for all applicants
A design supplement, which will be critically reviewed by design department faculty. Re-applicants must submit a new supplement. The Admissions Committee will not consider applications to this major unless the design supplement is submitted.
Required coursework (Sophomore and Junior transfer applicants.)
- General/Introductory Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters) [See note above if you also plan to pursue a premed/health/dentistry path.]
- English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters) — Refer to Cornell University's John S. Knight Institute to review the criteria that courses need to meet to satisfy this requirement.
- Calculus (3 – 4 credits)
- Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
- Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits)
Additional coursework (required for those applying to enroll as juniors. recommended, but not required for those applying to enroll as sophomores.)
- Statistics (3 credits) or Computer Science (3 credits)
- Introductory Anthropology or Sociology (3 credits)
Required for all applicants
A design supplement, which will be critically reviewed by design department faculty. Re-applicants must submit a new supplement. The Admissions Committee will not consider applications to this major unless the design supplement is submitted.
Required coursework (Sophomore and Junior transfer applicants.)
- General/Introductory Chemistry with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters) [See note above if you also plan to pursue a premed/health/dentistry path.]
- English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters) — Refer to Cornell University's John S. Knight Institute to review the criteria that courses need to meet to satisfy this requirement.
- Calculus (3 – 4 credits)
- Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
Additional coursework (required for those applying to enroll as juniors. recommended, but not required for those applying to enroll as sophomores.)
- General/Introductory Physics with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters) [required for transfer applicants who apply to enter as juniors.]
- Statistics (3 credits)
- Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits)
- Computer Science (3 credits)
Required for all applicants
A design supplement, which will be critically reviewed by design department faculty. Re-applicants must submit a new supplement. The Admissions Committee will not consider applications to this major unless the design supplement is submitted.
Required coursework (Sophomore and Junior transfer applicants.)
- General/Introductory Chemistry with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters)
- General/Introductory Biology with lab (3+ credits/1+ semesters) [8 credits/2 semesters required for transfer applicants who apply to enter as juniors.]
- English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters) — Refer to Cornell University's John S. Knight Institute to review the criteria that courses need to meet to satisfy this requirement.
- Calculus or statistics (3-4 credits)
- Introductory Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, Anthropology, or Sociology (3 credits)
Additional coursework (required for those applying to enroll as juniors. recommended, but not required for those applying to enroll as sophomores.)
- Organic Chemistry with labs (8 credits/2 semesters)
- Introductory coursework in nutritional sciences (3 credits)
- Introductory Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, Anthropology, or Sociology (3 credits)
- It is recommended that students intending to apply to the Didactic Program in Dietetics complete a microbiology course.
Required coursework (Sophomore and Junior transfer applicants.)
- General/Introductory Biology (focusing on human biology) with lab (3 – 4 credits) [See note above if you also plan to pursue a premed/health/dentistry path.]
- General/Introductory Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, with lab (3 – 4 credits)
- English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters) — Refer to Cornell University's John S. Knight Institute to review the criteria that courses need to meet to satisfy this requirement.
- Precalculus* or calculus (3 credits)
- Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
Additional coursework (required for those applying to enroll as juniors. recommended, but not required for those applying to enroll as sophomores.)
- Any course focused on human development (e.g. Child Development, Adolescent Development, Adulthood and Aging) (3 credits)
- Introductory Anthropology or Sociology (3 credits)
Required coursework (Sophomore and Junior transfer applicants.)
- General/Introductory Chemistry with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters)
- English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters) — Refer to Cornell University's John S. Knight Institute to review the criteria that courses need to meet to satisfy this requirement.
- Calculus or Statistics (3 – 4 credits)
- Introductory Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, Anthropology, or Sociology (3 credits)
Additional coursework (required for those applying to enroll as juniors. recommended, but not required for those applying to enroll as sophomores.)
- General/Introductory Biology with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters) [Required for transfer applicants who apply to enter as juniors.]
- Organic Chemistry with labs (8 credits/2 semesters) [Required for transfer applicants who apply to enter as juniors.]
- Introductory coursework in nutritional sciences (3 credits)
- Introductory Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, Anthropology, or Sociology (3 credits)
- It is recommended that students intending to apply to the Didactic Program in Dietetics complete a microbiology course.
Health Care Policy and Public Policy majors: Visit the Brooks School required courses.
* College of Human Ecology policy states that precalculus coursework credits do not transfer, however, completion of at least precalculus at the collegiate level is an admissions requirement.
High School Coursework: Transfer applicants are required to have completed high school coursework in a) biology and b) chemistry or physics. Courses not completed in high school must be taken as an undergraduate.