Guidelines for Graduation 
Academic Requirements for Degree Programs

Guidelines for Graduation

Who...?
All students in their junior year who wish to graduate.

When...?
In the last semester of your junior year; consult the Academic Calendar for the specific deadline.

What...?
Complete the Application for Graduation:

1. Obtain a record of your coursework from Student Services on the Web.
2. Make an appointment with your advisor to review and complete your Application for Graduation. (Graduation Application/Track Sheets are available on Registrar's Forms page and at the Registrar's Office, Student Services Building, room 113.) Have your advisor sign the application.
3. Sign the application. Note that your signature attests that you have consulted the College catalog and have met or have made arrangements to meet all college requirements. (Also refer to the College Web site for updated information.) If you are uncertain about any requirements or policies, please check with your department or the Registrar's Office.
4. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

Where...?
Submit the completed application to the Registrar's Office, Student Services Building, Room 113, by the deadline published in the Academic Calendar.

What if...?

1. I don't complete my senior project by the last day of the semester?
   In extenuating circumstances a sponsor may grant an incomplete grade. The project must be submitted to the library before the first day of the Spring semester to be considered a January graduate, before Commencement day to be considered a May graduate and before the first day of the Fall semester to be considered an August graduate. If an incomplete is not granted or the project is not submitted by the above deadlines, you will need to re-register for 4 credits of the Senior Project and verify with the Registrar that your application for graduation is still valid.
2. I take an incomplete in my final semester?
   An incomplete in your final semester usually results in delaying the graduation date until the next semester. Please consult with the Registrar for details.
3. I miss the graduation application deadline?
   You must apply for the next semester's graduation.
4. I made an error on my graduation application?
   In order for a student to graduate from Purchase College, s/he must meet all college requirements. Any missing requirements must be met before a diploma can be granted. Please be sure to to research your requirements thoroughly, using the College catalog and Web site, before signing your graduation application. If you are uncertain about any requirements, please check with the Registrar.

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Academic Requirements for Degree Programs

• Academic credit and student workload
• B.A. and B.S. Degrees
• B.F.A. and Mus.B. Degrees
• M.A., M.M. , and M.F.A. Degrees

Academic Credit and Student Workload
The academic year at Purchase College comprises two 15-week semesters. The unit of credit is the semester hour, which normally represents one 50-minute class hour per week in lecture/discussion courses and two 50-minute class hours per week in studio/lab courses. In credit-bearing courses that meet fewer than 15 weeks (e.g., three-week summer session courses), the class hours per week are proportionately increased.
     For each class hour, students are expected to complete a minimum of two hours of academic work (study, preparation, etc.) outside of class each week. Some courses require three or more hours of outside work for every class hour. In particular, the conservatory arts programs are intensive professional training programs and require students’ full-time commitment. Students in all majors are advised to limit their job and social commitments in order to give their coursework adequate attention.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degrees

1. Complete a minimum of 120 credits (128 for the B.S. degree), 90 of which must be liberal arts credits. A total of 45 credits must be earned in upper-level (3000-4000 level) courses. No more than 4 physical education credits may apply toward your degree.
2. Complete a minimum of 60 credits outside the student's board of study (major).*
3. Complete proficiency requirements.*
4. Complete general education or core* requirements.
5. Complete all requirements for the major.
6. Earn a minimum 2.0 (c) cumulative GPA at Purchase College.
   * Item 2 and 3, and the core requirements do not apply to Liberal Studies matriculated students.

General Education Requirements
For detailed information, go to General Education Requirements: Liberal Arts and Sciences, maintained by the Office of the Provost.
Liberal Studies B.A. students should refer to the General Education Requirements: Liberal Studies.
Applies to all new liberal arts students (first-time freshmen) admitted Fall 2000 or later and all liberal arts transfer students admitted Fall 2002 or later:

1. Western Civilization
2. Humanities
3. Social Science
4. Basic Communications (College Writing or its equivalent)
5. Foreign Language
6. Mathematics (in addition to math proficiency)
7. Natural Science
8. The Arts
9. Other World Civilizations
10. American History
11. Focus on Race and Gender
12. Physical Education and Health

Core Requirements
Applies to all liberal arts students admitted prior to Fall 2000 and all liberal arts transfer students admitted prior to Fall 2002:

Core I. Origins of Western Culture
Core II. Structures of the Modern World
Core III. Social and Behavioral Sciences
Core IV. Writing
Core V. Quantitative Analysis
Core VI. Physical and Biological Sciences
Core VII. Fine or Performing Arts (minimum 3 credits)
Core VIII. Physical Education
Core IX. Non-Western Culture
Core X. Focus on Race and Gender

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Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) and Bachelor of Music (Mus.B.) Degrees

1. Performing arts conservatories: Earn a minimum of 120 credits (90 professional credits and 30 liberal arts credits). Some majors require more than 90 professional credits.
2. Art + Design: Earn a minimum of 128 credits (88 in visual arts studio courses, 12 in art history, and another 28 liberal arts credits).
3. Complete all requirements for the major.
4. Complete general education requirements.
5. Earn a minimum 2.0 (C) cumulative GPA at Purchase College.

General Education Requirements
For detailed information, go to General Education Requirements: Performing and Visual Arts, maintained by the Office of the Provost.
Applies to all new arts students (first-time freshmen) admitted Fall 2000 or later and all liberal arts transfer students admitted Fall 2002 or later:

1. Western Civilization
2. Humanities
3. Social Science
4. Basic Communications (College Writing or its equivalent)
5. Natural Science
6. Other World Civilizations
7. American History

The following applies to all arts students admitted prior to Fall 2000 and all arts transfer students admitted prior to Fall 2002:

Of the required 30 liberal arts credits (28 for Art + Design students):

1. a maximum of 8 credits may be earned in the student's home program in designated history or theory courses (e.g., 8 credits in dance history for dance majors). Students may count a maximum of 16 credits, including 8 credits in their home programs, in designated history or theory courses toward the 30-credit requirement.
2. a minimum of 8 credits must be upper level (3000-4000 level). Art + Design students can use upper-level art history credits to fulfill this requirement.

M.A., M.M., and M.F.A. Degrees

1. Complete all requirements for the major
2. Earn a minimum 3.0 (B) cumulative GPA at Purchase College

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Modified December 7, 2006