Are you a current CU Boulder student and want to study engineering? The Intra-University Transfer (IUT) process allows you to transfer to the College of Engineering and Applied Science from another college or school on the Boulder campus, or add an engineering major to your current degree program.
THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA GO INTO EFFECT STARTING IN FALL 2022
The College of Engineering and Applied Science reserves the right to revise the IUT application process or admission criteria as it finds necessary.
The College of Engineering and Applied Science requests prospective IUT students to work through the following steps:
- Meet with your current Academic Advisor to discuss your plan to IUT to Engineering. Your current Academic Advisor will still be your main source of academic support, including planning course schedules, monitoring GPAs & grades, and interpreting university policies.
- Read this IUT website thoroughly including the FAQs below.
- Review a “what-if” degree audit for the engineering degree program(s) you are considering, to learn more about degree requirements and how your current credits would apply.
- Use the Sample Degree Plan in conjunction with the "what-if" degree audit to draft an initial semester-by-semester graduation plan for your desired degree program.
- The Class Search website can provide a general guide of when classes have previously been offered (spring, fall, summer).
- Refer to the Intra-University Transfer (IUT) Guide in Canvas as a helpful resource for academic and exploratory support.
If you have questions after completing the steps above, you have the following options: 
- For more information about a specific Engineering degree program, you can meet with any Academic Advisor on campus during Advising Open Hours every Monday from 1-3pm.
- For additional information about the IUT application process, including clarifying questions about admission requirements and CEAS policies, please email EngineeringIUT@colorado.edu or find Engineering IUT advising availability by clicking on the Meet with Different Advisor tile in Buff Portal Advising.
How to Check Your Technical GPA:
Access the Degree Audit system from your Buff Portal and choose "Select a Different Program." Then, set “Engr ApSci” for the College and select "Other - IUT" as the Degree. Next, select one of these three options in the Program drop-down:
- IUT criteria effective as of Fall 2022: “GPA Calc for CEAS IUT – Start date Fall 2022 – EN-IUT-GPA22"
- Pre-Fall 2022 IUT criteria for all B.S. degrees: “GPA Calc for CEAS IUTS – Prior to Fall 2022 – EN-IUT-GPA"
- Pre-Fall 2022 IUT criteria for Computer Science B.A. degree: GPA Calc for CEAS IUTS – Prior to Fall 2022 – EN-IUT-GPACSBA
Finally, set the Catalog Year as the semester you anticipate beginning in an Engineering degree program, and then click the "Run Different Program" button at the bottom of the screen.
Additional FAQs About the IUT Process
We currently have two sets of IUT admission criteria - one that was in effect prior to Fall 2022, and another that is effective as of Fall 2022.
All students starting at CU Boulder in the Fall of 2022 or later can only apply using the Fall 2022 application and criteria. Requests to be admitted under the pre-Fall 2022 admission criteria will not be approved for these students.
Students who started at CU Boulder prior to Fall 2022 will be routed to submit a pre-Fall 2022 application regardless of the admissions criteria under which they wish to be considered. We will automatically review students who began at CU Boulder prior to Fall 2022 under both sets of admissions requirements before we deny any application.
If you apply by October 1st (Fall application), February 1st (Spring application), or June 1st (Summer application), are completing the balance of your required IUT coursework in that same term, and you meet all other IUT requirements, you will be considered “On Track”. That means you may receive priority consideration for enrollment in CEAS restricted engineering courses if you follow these guidelines to request enrollment (when available).
- If you meet all IUT requirements at the end of the semester, your IUT application will be approved and you will be admitted to the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
- If you do NOT meet all IUT requirements at the end of the semester, your IUT application will be denied and you will be removed from CEAS restricted courses.
You will receive an email notifying you of your status at your CU Boulder email address within two weeks of submitting your application.
Yes. Unless you are granted enrollment in a course through the Engineering Departmental Course Request process, you must wait until you are fully admitted to enroll in engineering-specific coursework in your intended major and there are no exceptions.
While this does not always impact your time to graduation, it can. The College of Engineering & Applied Science does not guarantee that you will be able to get the coursework that you need upon admission. Careful planning of your courses and timely IUT transfer can lower the chances of extending the time to your degree. Once admitted, consult with your new academic advisor on alternative course options, if needed.
Outside of the Engineering Departmental Course Request process, you will not be able to sign up for courses restricted to engineering students until you are admitted to the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS). For the time being, it is best to create a schedule that allows you to stay full-time until you have received formal notification of your admittance into CEAS.
Please work with your CURRENT CU academic advisor to identify what courses to take that will allow you to proceed in your current major in the instance you are not admitted to CEAS. Once you have been admitted, you will be able to make the necessary adjustments to your schedule for your engineering major during the next open enrollment period.
In anticipation of your IUT into CEAS, it is recommended that you begin looking at the sample four-year plan for your intended major. This will help you have a general sense of which courses may be in your near future. Once admitted to CEAS, you will want to schedule an appointment with your new academic advisor as early as possible to ensure your newly revised schedule is correct.
To check your Technical GPA, first access the Degree Audit system from your Buff Portal and choose "Select a Different Program." Then, set “Engr ApSci” for the College and select "Other - IUT" as the Degree. Next, select one of these three options in the Program drop-down:
- IUT criteria effective as of Fall 2022: “GPA Calc for CEAS IUT – Start date Fall 2022 – EN-IUT-GPA22"
- Pre-Fall 2022 IUT criteria for all B.S. degrees: “GPA Calc for CEAS IUTS – Prior to Fall 2022 – EN-IUT-GPA"
- Pre-Fall 2022 IUT criteria for Computer Science B.A. degree: GPA Calc for CEAS IUTS – Prior to Fall 2022 – EN-IUT-GPACSBA
Finally, set the Catalog Year as the semester you anticipate beginning in an Engineering degree program, and then click the "Run Different Program" button at the bottom of the screen.
No. There are no exceptions to the IUT process if a student does not meet the course or grade requirements. The IUT process is non-competitive; meaning, if a student meets criteria, admission is guaranteed. Since it is not competitive, no exceptions (regardless of how close a grade may be) will be made and there is no appeal to this decision.
Residency Requirement - The last 45 credit hours of the 128 required for the BS degree (or 120 required for the BA degree) must be earned via CU Boulder coursework only, and AFTER admission and while rostered in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Students who cannot meet this requirement should not apply for the IUT.
If you are enrolled in the Computer Science Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (CSCI- BA), Yes- you will need to complete the IUT process.
If you are enrolled in the Computer Science Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CSEN-BA), No- you do not need to complete the IUT process. You need to work with your current Academic Advisor to discuss the change of major requirements and process.
Yes, the College of Engineering and Applied Science honors the CU Grade Replacement Policy. However, it does not replace the 3 graded course attempts policy explained under "Additional Admission Requirements" above.
If you have transfer credit that comes in as equivalent to the IUT requirement courses, these classes may still count towards an engineering degree, but cannot be used for the IUT admission requirements. In this case, please consult with an IUT advisor to determine your CU Boulder two math and one science course sequence required for IUT admission.
Please see this website for guidance on selecting the best math course for your first semester.
For a list of H/SS electives applicable to all majors in the College of Engineering and Applied Science, please see the humanities and social science website.
Yes! Both APPM and MATH versions of Calculus count the same toward any engineering degree.
Students can visit the CEAS Departmental Course Request webpage to request enrollment in a restricted engineering course, but will only be enrolled in that course if space is available. While students can request select courses from engineering departments, requests do not guarantee actual course enrollment. It is also important to note that the IUT process can affect a student's overall time-to-degree if they are not able to enroll in certain engineering courses.
Yes. If you have a previous degree from CU Boulder, you can apply to CEAS through the readmit process and will be held to all current IUT requirements.
Yes. If you meet all IUT criteria and apply by the posted deadline, you will be guaranteed admission to the major you enter on the application. Since the IUT pathway is not competitive, this also means there are NO exceptions to the criteria.
Yes, you can submit an IUT application; however, all incomplete (“I”) grades need to be resolved before your IUT application can be processed. As such, your application will be deferred for review at the end of the term.
The IUT process for the College of Engineering and Applied Science is noncompetitive. This means, if you meet the IUT requirements, you will be admitted. If you do not meet the IUT requirements, you will not be admitted. If, however, you want extra assurance you have done all that is required, you must confirm with an Engineering IUT advisor. No other advisor at CU has the authority to confirm this for you. See the "Important Advising Resources" section above to find out how to connect with an Engineering IUT Advisor.