Degree Structure

Minimum credits required: 120

Area(s) of Concentration: Corresponds to a major. For a single area, 8 courses/24 credits are required; for a dual area, 6 courses/18 credits in each area are required. Courses must be intermediate- or advanced-level. For more information, see Proposing Your Area(s).

Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) credits: A minimum of 60 LAS credits for a BS; 90 for a BA. LAS courses are those in which theory is the focus and in which broad foundations link the course content to: history; philosophy; culture; natural, social, or behavioral sciences; or mathematics. By contrast, non-LAS courses are those in which the primary intent is to give students a specific vocational, professional, or technical skill; there is substantial focus on professional development, technical proficiency, and professional or business-related content; or the focus of the course is on derivative, practical, or applied aspects of the field. LAS credits may be earned from Core distribution courses, AOC courses, and electives.

Core Distribution (13 courses): As part of their LAS requirement, all students must complete 13 courses in the following areas. Each core distribution course must be defined by the CUNY Baccalaureate as a Liberal Arts and Science course, be taken for a letter grade and bear a minimum of 2 credits. For students admitted prior to Summer 2008 core courses cannot be in the same field of study as the area(s) of concentration. In Humanities, Social Science, and Math & Science, you must take courses in at least two disciplines. Core requirements cannot be satisfied with AOC courses.

Literature (2 courses) Examples: (Introduction to Literature, Special Topics in Literature, World Literature in Translation, Children's Literature, Dramatic Literature, Film and Literature, African-American Writers, Victorian Poetry, etc.) At least one of the courses must be taught in English with the texts and assignments in English. Composition and other writing courses (i.e., Journalism, Creative Writing) do not fulfill this requirement.

Humanities (3 courses) (Art Appreciation/Survey/History, Classics, Cinema/Film Studies, Creative Writing, History, Journalism Studies, Linguistics, Literature, Music History/Appreciation/Survey, Philosophy, Religion, Theater History/Appreciation/Survey, Theology, Semantics, etc. Also Humanities-based Ethnic, Cultural and Media Studies courses. Some intermediate/advanced Speech and Language courses may be used—ask your academic advisor.)

Social Science (3 courses) (Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Government, International Affairs, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Urban Studies, etc. Also Social Science-based Ethnic and Media Studies courses.)

Language other than English (1 year) (Example: Spanish 101 and 102) You must complete Level I and II.

Math and Science (3 courses) (College Level Math, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geology, Physical Anthropology, Physical Geography, Physics, Science Survey, Zoology, etc.) Each student must take one math course and one science course; the third course can be a math, science, or, if approved by an academic advisor, a computer science course that is designated as LAS by the Program. Laboratory courses are not required.

Residency Requirement: A minimum of 30 credits of coursework in CUNY after admission to the
Program.

Non-Collegiate Credit: A maximum of 30 credits is possible (this includes credit by exam; military, FDNY, NYPD, EMS, NPONSI credits; and life experience credits [a maximum of 15 credits]).

Grade Point Average: Students must maintain at least a 2.50 GPA overall and in their area(s) of
concentration.