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 an 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;
- Meet with an SIAS Academic Advisor to discuss your plans;
- Submit a Request to Declare/Change a Major or Minor form to the SIAS Academic Advisor. (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.
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.
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.
- TCHEM 142 General Chemistry 1 (6)
- TCHEM 152 General Chemistry 2 (6)
- TCHEM 162 General Chemistry 3 (6)
- TBIOL 120 Introductory Biology 1 (6)
- TBIOL 130 Introductory Biology 2 (6)
- TBIOL 140 Introductory Biology 3 (6)
- TMATH 124 Calculus 1 (5)
- TMATH 125 Calculus 2 (5)
- TCHEM 251 Organic Chemistry 1 (5)
- TPHYS 121 Physics 1 (6)
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:
- TBIOL 110 General Biology (with lab); minimum 1.5 GPA
- TCHEM 131 Chemistry and Society (with lab); minimum 1.7 GPA
- TECON 200 Introduction to Microeconomics; minimum 2.0 GPA
- TGEOS 243 Geography of the Physical Environment (with lab); minimum 2.0 GPA
- TMATH 110 Introductory Statistics with Applications; minimum 2.0 GPA
- TPHIL 251 Data and Discourse; minimum 2.0 GPA
- TPSYCH 340 Environmental Psychology; minimum 2.0 GPA Note: prerequisite of TPSYCH 101
- TWRT 211 Argumentation and Research; minimum 2.0 GPA or TWRT 291 Technical Communication in the Workplace; minimum 2.0 GPA
BA in Spanish Language & Cultures
BA in Psychology
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.
The following lower-division prerequisite courses must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.0 before declaring a Psychology major:
- General or Introductory Psychology Course: 100-level course
- Foundational Psychology Courses - two of the following courses:
- Personality Theories,
- Developmental Psychology (Lifespan or Child Development),
- Abnormal Psychology,
- Social Psychology,
- Human Cognition,
- Biological Bases of Behavior (Biopsychology or Motivational Bases for Behavior);
- Introductory Statistics: TMATH 110 or equivalent;
- Research Methods I: TPSYCH 209 or equivalent
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:
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