For a variety of reasons, you may be interested in changing campuses before the end of your second year. This typically means you have not yet completed your entrance to major process. Other times, early requests are submitted with an intent to temporarily change a campus for one semester (fall or spring). The change-of-campus process is designed to accommodate requests like these, but requires some additional steps to be approved. Here is what you need to know:
- You must request approval at your home campus AND your requested campus.
- Early changes are only considered if you are unable to continue making academic progress at your home campus. According to the University Registrar, a student who cannot maintain academic progress is one who is “unable to obtain a full schedule of relevant courses at their current campus.” In some cases, your major may require you to request an early change.
- Temporary change of campus may be appropriate for personal, academic, or financial reasons. Temporary campus changes are not usually approved for University Park.
- If approved for a temporary change of campus, you will automatically return to your home campus the following semester.
- You can enroll at any Penn State campus during the summer after your first year – no change-of-campus request is required.
You will be asked to provide a clear and compelling reason for your early request – consult your campus support network for guidance
You will be asked to provide a clear and compelling reason for your request – whether personal, academic, or financial. You should talk with your academic adviser, campus registrar, or a student affairs staff member before submitting your request. Some examples of what you should include in your reasoning are:
- The courses you plan to take at the requested campus
- Your intended major and reasons why it has not been updated in Update Academics
- With whom you have discussed the campus change
Are you considering a semester through World Campus/online?
It is important to know that, like your current campus, World Campus has limited seats in each class in order to serve students who are earning a degree through World Campus. Just because a course is listed as offered by World Campus does not mean we can guarantee the course will be available to you.
Ready to make your request for an early or temporary campus change?
- Confirm your intended major by submitting your Update Academics request in LionPATH. This may not be necessary for a temporary campus change; consult with your academic adviser if you should plan to Update Academics prior to submitting your campus change request.
- Select Permanent for an early change or Temporary if you plan to be at the new campus for only one semester.
- Select your Requested Campus
- Identify the primary reason for your change of campus request
For answers to common questions regarding LionPATH and Update Campus, view this list of FAQs.