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.
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:

Those interested in the Health Care Policy and the Public Policy majors offered by the Brooks School should follow the Brooks School of Public Policy internal transfer guidelines.