Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree

The University awards the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) to those matriculated students who have completed an approved sequence of courses and study totaling a minimum of 120 credits and who, by vote of the faculty, are certified as having fulfilled all degree requirements. Matriculated students may fulfill their degree requirements while classified as either full-time or part-time students for individual academic semesters. The following B.A. and B.S. degree requirements must be fulfilled by all students matriculating in 1999-2000:

Bachelor of Arts Requirements

1. A minimum of 120 credits.

2. At least 90 credits in the liberal arts and sciences.

3. The completion of a general education requirement consisting of a minimum of 24 graduation credits as follows: six graduation credits in each of three categories: (1) natural sciences, (2) social sciences, (3) humanities and the arts; three graduation credits in an approved course in cultural and historical perspectives (courses meeting this requirement as identified in the course description); and the completion of threes graduation credits of an approved course in human diversity (courses meeting thisu requirement as identified in the course description).

4. The completion of a writing requirement whereby students must satisfactorily complete with grades of C or higher [for students matriculating Fall 1997 or thereafter; otherwise C- or higher], or S, two writing intensive courses, including at least one at or above the 300 level (courses meeting this requirement as identified in the course description).

5. 30-36 credits in a major that has been registered with the education department of the state of New York.

6. The completion of a minor consisting of 18-24 graduation credits which must include a minimum of 9 graduation credits in course work requiring one or more prerequisite courses or courses at or above the 300 level. The minor requirements may be combined with the major requirements but the total may not exceed 60 graduation credits.

7. 24 credits in professional courses for the candidate desiring state certification in education.

Bachelor of Science Requirements

1. A minimum of 120 credits.

2. At least 60 credits in the liberal arts and sciences.

3. The completion of a general education requirement consisting of a minimum of 24 graduation credits as follows: six graduation credits in each of three categories: (1) natural sciences, (2) social sciences, (3) humanities and the arts; three graduation credits in an approved course in cultural and historical perspectives (courses meeting this requirement as identified in the course description); and the completion of threes graduation credits of an approved course in human diversity (courses meeting thisu requirement as identified in the course description).

4. The completion of a writing requirement whereby students must satisfactorily complete with grades of C or higher [for students matriculating Fall 1997 or thereafter; otherwise C- or higher], or S, two writing intensive courses, including at least one at or above the 300 level (courses meeting this requirement as identified in the course description).

5. 30-42 credits, in a major which has been registered with the education department of the state of New York.

6. The completion of a minor consisting of 18-24 graduation credits which must include a minimum of 9 graduation credits in course work requiring one or more prerequisitee courses or courses at or above the 300 level. The minor requirements may be combined with the major requirement but the total may not exceed 66 graduation credits.

7. 24 credits in professional courses for the candidate desiring state certification in education.

To be eligible for graduation from the University, matriculated students must have achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 in all course grades earned at the University.

For students matriculating Fall 1997 and thereafter: Students must achieve a minimum grade point average of at least 2.0 in all University at Albany course work used to fulfill requirements in the major, combined major/minor, or departmental major.

Grade Point Average in the Minor

For students matriculating Fall 1997 and thereafter: Students must achieve a minimum grade point average of at least 2.0 in all University at Albany course work used to fulfill requirements in the minor(s).

The University requires degree candidates to earn 30 of their last 36 credits in courses for which they registered at the Albany Campus of the University. (Courses completed through the cross registration program or through a State University of New York sponsored study abroad program sponsored by a university center or four-year liberal arts college satisfy the requirement).

In addition, students must complete a minimum of 30 graduation credits in courses on the Albany campus.

Degree requirements may be completed during any term; the degree will be conferred at the following May commencement. The student must file a degree application with the Registrar in accordance with the date specified in the official University calendar. Students who have properly applied for the degree will be notified in writing by the Registrar if they will not meet degree requirements that semester.

In rare and exceptional cases, a waiver of the requirements listed in this section may be granted to an individual student. Petitions for waiver of major or minor requirements should be addressed to the academic unit offering the major or minor. Petitions for waiver of any other requirements in this section should be addressed to the Committee on Academic Standing of the Undergraduate Academic Council and submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Studies, AD 118.

A maximum of 6 credits in physical education activity courses below the 300 level may be applied toward the minimum requirements for the bachelor's degree. The University no longer offers physical education courses for academic credit.

A student must earn a minimum of 120 acceptable graduation credits to be eligible for graduation from the University. Acceptable graduation credit is as follows:

For students matriculating Fall 1997 and thereafter: A University at Albany grade of D- is minimally acceptable for graduation credit in the major and minor. Note, however, that a 2.0 average within each major and minor is a requirement for graduation.

For credits acquired at other institutions and for University at Albany credits for students matriculating before Fall 1997: A student may fulfill the requirements of a major or a minor or a combined major and minor by earning graduation credit as defined previously, except that credit with the grade of D must be balanced at the same institution as follows (For purposes of balancing, pluses and/or minuses associated with grades are ignored.):

Credit with the grade of D may be used to fulfill the requirements of a major only if balanced at the same institution by credit with grades of A or B earned within the major.

Credit with the grade of D may be used to fulfill the requirements of a minor only if balanced at the same institution by credit with grades of A or B earned within the minor.

Credit with the grade of D may be used to fulfill the requirements of a combined major and minor only if balanced at the same institution by credit with grades of A or B earned within the combined major and minor.