Internal Transfer to the LBJ School

Students can apply for internal transfer/major change with the LBJ School of Public Affairs during the posted application period.  To be considered for admission students should meet all of the following requirements:

• Must apply within their first, four long-semesters at UT Austin.
• Complete at least 24 hours and no more than 60 hours of in-residence coursework at UT by the end of the spring semester in which they are applying.
• Minimum UT GPA of 3.0 is strongly encouraged.
• **PLEASE keep in mind the application for replacing a major and the application for adding a second major are SEPARATE, not interchangeable.
• If requesting to add a second major (or change their current second major), students must have completed 30 hours in-residence.
• Mandatory completion of the LBJ Internal Transfer Info Session Canvas module during the application cycle students plan to apply.
• A maximum of two internal transfer applications to the LBJ School of Public Affairs is permitted; a third attempt will not be permitted.
• All applicants must complete the semester in which they applied.
• Submission of recent resume.
• Response to both essay prompts.

Please note GPA and coursework eligibility are confirmed after grades post for the semester (in late May for spring applications). If you do not meet the requirements at that time, the application will be denied. Additionally, any applicant that meets minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

The LBJ School of Public Affairs Information Session module is a self-paced online Canvas module that provides information about the Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs degree.

Information includes recommended courses for non-majors, how to apply, the application timeline, degree requirements, and the amazing support our students have at LBJ.

Completion of the info session is REQUIRED before speaking with a LBJ undergraduate academic advisor. Please note students are NOT required to meet with an advisor to apply.

The application deadline for Fall admission is May 1st.

**PLEASE keep in mind the application for replacing a major and the application for adding a second major are SEPARATE, not interchangeable.

Please be sure to review all eligibility requirements and complete the information session module. Late applications will not be accepted.

For specific questions about the internal transfer application process, please visit Texas One Stop Internal Transfer.

The application deadline for Fall admission is May 1st.

When applying for a second major, be sure to select the "simultaneous major" option.

**PLEASE keep in mind the application for replacing a major and the application for adding a second major are SEPARATE, not interchangeable.

Please be sure to review all eligibility requirements and complete the information session module. Late applications will not be accepted.

For specific questions about the internal transfer application process, please visit Texas One Stop Internal Transfer.

All internal transfer applicants are required to complete the general essay provided by UT Internal Transfer: 

Please provide a Statement of Educational Intent to include your personal and professional goals and how a degree in the proposed major will prepare you for your future career and/or educational endeavors. (no more than 500 words)

Additionally, all applicants for LBJ are required to complete this second essay prompt:

Please describe a policy issue that is meaningful to you and how the major in public affairs would prepare you to address. (no more than 500 words)

Applications will be reviewed after final grades post for the semester and will go through a committee holistic review which may include the following factors:

• Overall eligibility criteria.
• Overall UT GPA.
• Number of hours taken and grades received in coursework.
• Resume.
• Essay responses.

All applicants will be notified by the Office of Admissions of our committee's decisions. Notifications are typically sent in mid to late June. For questions regarding the status of your application, please check the Internal Transfer Portal. Also, please note the number of accepted students will vary each year.

If an applicant is ACCEPTED into the LBJ Public Affairs program, please carefully read the acceptance email and follow all listed steps by the deadline. Once all listed steps are complete, the newly internal transfer students will meet with academic advisor to discuss required classes for the upcoming fall semester.

If an applicant is DENIED, it is considered as one of the two allowed attempts to apply, per University Policy. All decisions are final and may not be appealed.

If an applicant has exhausted their two attempts to apply, please see Wayfinder, or schedule an appointment with an academic advisor at the Vick Advising Excellence Center to explore alternate major options.

Registering for Fall Classes

During the application cycle, applicants should register for a regular course load as though they are NOT applying for transfer admission to LBJ Public Affairs. 

Once all listed steps on the acceptance email are completed, the newly internal transfer students will meet with an academic advisor to discuss required classes for the upcoming fall semester.

After meeting with an academic advisor, our new students will be able to register for Public Affairs courses during their next registration period.

Overall, we are a professional school, preparing our students to enter meaningful public affairs careers immediately upon graduation. The LBJ Way combines academics and practicality.

The LBJ School of Public Affairs is only accepting fall admissions. During the application period, the link to the application and necessary deadlines will be posted on the application website.

The minimums required for consideration are listed above in the "Review eligibility criteria"; however, meeting the minimum GPAs only makes you eligible for consideration it does not guarantee admission.

No. Placement (credit by exam), correspondence, extension, pass/fail, and/or dual credit transfer hours will not work to fulfill the in-residence requirement for the Major Coursework requirements of the curriculum.

No. The University's student records system only allows for a student to officially pursue two majors at a time. If you want to earn additional degrees (beyond two) you they must first complete or drop one of your current majors.

No. Supplemental materials cannot be submitted.

Exceptions to the University's policies on internal transfer are only made in very rare circumstances when a student exhibits compelling reasons for exception and when he/she can provide evidence that they are on track for a timely graduation. The LBJ selection committee will review the appeal statement taken from the student's application. We may contact ineligible applicants after the application closes to seek more information, if needed.

No, students who have already earned a degree from UT Austin cannot apply through the internal transfer application. The student deans will review these requests on a case-by-case basis. Please contact LBJUndergradAdvising@austin.utexas.edu for more information.