Change of Major Policy

Students must submit an online application to the PSTAT Department to switch to a PSTAT major. Applications are accepted Week 1 through Week 10 each quarter.

Fall 2024 Change of Major Petitions

ACTSC/STSDS: APPLY HERE

This application is used if you would like to switch to an ACTSC/STSDS major or pre-major, advance from a ACTSC/STSDS pre-major to the full major, add a ACTSC/STSDS major as a double major, and/or change your STSDS major emphasis (from BA>BS or BS>BA). 

  • To declare a pre-major: must have at least 2 pre-major MATH courses taken or in progress at UCSB (or another UC) as of Fall 2024

​Note: MATH 34A/34B are not considered pre-major courses and do not count towards these 2 MATH courses​​​​​

  • To declare a full Major: must have all pre-major and preparation for the major coursework completed or in progress as of Fall 2024​

If your second MATH course or last pre/preparation course is in progress this Fall, apply by Friday, December 6th (Friday of Week 10). In-progress grades will need to be finalized before we review your major change. Submissions with all grades finalized will be reviewed and processed on a rolling basis. 

Submissions with all grades finalized may take the department 4-6 weeks to be reviewed. If your major change request is approved, you will be emailed an invitation to complete a Change of Major Petition via DocuSign for the major change you would like to make:

FMS: If you are looking to switch to the Financial Mathematics major or pre-major, please submit a petition to the Mathematics Department at https://www.math.ucsb.edu/undergrad/requirements.  

 

Winter 2025 Pass 1/2 Clearance for PSTAT Courses

 

ALL MAJORS: SUBMIT CLEARANCE REQUESTS HERE

 

Submit clearance requests after you have submitted your major change petition above. You may request clearance for the courses that are required by your major. We do not clear students for PSTAT electives. Prerequisites for the courses you are requesting must be competed or in progress.

 

Pre-PSTAT majors: PSTAT 120A clearance will be given to students who are on track to complete the pre-major by the end of Winter 2025. If you have more than 3 pre-major/preparation courses to complete, focus on completing those first. Pre-ACTSCI majors: WRIT 107B can be taken before or after declaring the full major.

  • Pass 1 clearance: submit change of major petition AND clearance requests by OCTOBER 28TH (at least 1 week before Pass 1).
  • Pass 2 clearance: submit change of major petition AND clearance requests by NOVEMBER 5TH (at least 1 week before Pass 2).

You will NOT receive any sort of confirmation or email once your clearance has been processed. As long as you meet all eligibility requirements and have submitted your request prior to the deadlines above, you will be able to log into GOLD during your pass time and enroll in the course(s) on your own.

PSTAT will not endorse any Change of Major Petitions until the following qualifications have been met:

  • Students declaring the Actuarial Science or Statistics and Data Science pre-major must have at least two MATH courses from UCSB (or another UC) on their transcript before they will be considered.
  • Students declaring the full Actuarial Science or Statistics and Data Science major must meet meet the following requirements:
  • Students must complete all pre-major courses with a 2.5 or higher UC GPA. All pre-major courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
  • Students are permitted to repeat up to a maximum of two pre-major courses. Only one repeat is allowed in each course. In the case of a letter grade below C, students must repeat the course at UCSB. 
  • Students must complete both CMPSC 8 and CMPSC 9 (or 16) with a grade of “C” or better in each course prior to declaring the full major. Grades in CMPSC 8 and CMPSC 9 (or 16) are excluded from the pre-major GPA, but will apply to the overall major GPA.
  • Students must show that they are able to pass the majority of their MATH or PSTAT courses from UCSB in one attempt.
  • Students must demonstrate that they will be able to graduate within normative time.