Admissions

Before becoming a student in the School of IAS you must be accepted as a student at UW Tacoma. Contact the UW Tacoma Office of Admissions for more information.

  • Before you begin, verify the quarters in which new applications are accepted.
  • Complete applications received by the application deadline will be reviewed; complete applications received after the deadline may be reviewed on a space-available basis.

Undergraduate applicants to SIAS must have completed the following general admission requirements:

  • 45 college quarter credits
  • Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
  • English Composition - Students who have not completed English Composition (the equivalent of Composition 101) with a 2.0 or higher grade before coming to UW Tacoma must complete TCORE 101 or the equivalent within the first two quarters at UW Tacoma.
  • Math - Demonstrated by completion of three years of high school math through intermediate (second year) algebra or a college-level course in intermediate algebra with a grade of 2.0 or higher.

Some majors have additional prerequisites or suggested preparatory courses for admission, which are noted below by major. Speak with a SIAS academic advisor to help you determine your best path to college success.

UW Tacoma admissions process:

Transfer and returning students 

  • Submit an Application for Transfer Admission, with the $60 application fee;
  • Submit one official transcript from each college or university attended; and
  • Submit a high school transcript if using high school credit to fulfill admission requirements.

Current UW Tacoma students 

  • Identify the SIAS major you want to pursue;
  • Request to Declare/Change A Major or Minor by contacting the siasadv@uw.edu (Note: you must have 45 quarter credits and meet the prerequisites for the requested major).

Majors with Prerequisites or Suggested preparatory courses:

All students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, have completed at least 45 credits, and have completed English Composition with a minimum 2.0, in addition to the requirements listed below.

BS in Biomedical Sciences

Applications are required for the Biomedical Sciences major. They are accepted annually from September through March for the subsequent autumn quarter only.

 

Preparatory courses must have been completed within the last 5 years. If they were completed before that time frame or for specific transfer courses that are accepted, please consult an academic advisor.
Additionally, students must be computer literate, which is defined as the ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and communication software. Workshops are available for students with deficiencies in any of these areas.

BA in Communication (Professional or Research Track)

All students declaring the Communication major must earn a minimum grade of 2.5 in one of the following courses:

BS in Environmental Science

Although Environmental Science does not have prerequisites beyond the SIAS admission requirements, there are several science and math courses that are required for the major and should be taken in sequence to ensure progress is made. All of the courses listed below should be taken within five years of admission to UW Tacoma. If your coursework is older than five years, please contact an Environmental Science advisor.

 

Preparatory courses for the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science:

  • Biology: 15 credits, college-level majors sequence with lab, Minimum grade of 1.5 in each class
  • Chemistry: 15 credits, college-level majors sequence with lab, Minimum grade of 1.7 in each class
  • Geology: 5 credits, college-level course with lab, Minimum grade of 2.0
  • Physics: 5 credits, college-level mechanics course with lab, Minimum grade of 2.0
  • Calculus: 5 credits, minimum grade of 2.0
  • Statistics: 5 credits, minimum grade of 2.0

BA in Environmental Sustainability

Although Environmental Sustainability does not have prerequisites beyond the SIAS admission requirements, there are several science and math courses that are required for the major and should be taken in sequence to ensure progress is made. All of the courses listed below should be taken within five years of admission to UW Tacoma. If your coursework is older than five years, please contact an Environmental Sustainability advisor.

 

Preparatory courses for the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Sustainability:

BA in Spanish Language & Cultures

For admission to the Spanish Language & Cultures major, students must demonstrate, through a placement exam or coursework, proficiency at the 300-level in the Spanish language.

BA in Psychology

 

The following lower-division prerequisite courses must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.0 before declaring a Psychology major:

    BA in Writing Studies

    All students declaring the Writing Studies major must earn a minimum grade of 2.0 in each of the following courses: