Requirements for Graduation: Hunter Core and Major Field of Study

A student at Hunter College must earn a total of 120 credits to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. These 120 credits must include credits to satisfy the Hunter Core Requirement (up to 42 credits) and to satisfy the requirements of a major field of study (major).

Credits for the Hunter Core and for a major usually do not add up to 120. A student may reach the necessary 120 credits by completing an additional major, a minor field of study (minor), a certificate program, or by taking elective courses.

Please note: New York State law requires a minimum number of liberal arts and science courses for undergraduate degrees, as follows:

BA 75% of credits towards the degree, 90 credits
BS 50% of credits towards the degree, 60 credits
BMus, BFA 30% of credits towards the degree, 40 credits

Please see New York State Rule for Liberal Arts and Sciences Courses

Requirements for a Major

All matriculated students must declare a major no later than the semester in which the combination of credits earned and credits for which they are currently registered totals 60 or greater. Transfer students entering with 60 credits or more must declare their major before the end of their first semester of attendance at Hunter. Students may find that some courses and career opportunities are available to them only if they have declared a major. In addition, under New York State guidelines, students who have not yet declared a major by the 61-credit point are ineligible for TAP financial aid. To declare or change a major, a student should get a major declaration form from the OASIS, Room 217 Hunter North and confer with an adviser in the major department.

For students who are nearing the 61-credit point and remain undecided about their choice of major, there are a number of avenues of assistance. Designated faculty in each academic department advise prospective majors about the undergraduate programs and related career possibilities. Also, the advisors in the Office of Student Services and Career Development Services offer assistance in choosing a major. The college is concerned that students select their major with careful consideration and with good knowledge of the range of options.

To earn a Hunter degree, students must complete at least half of their major credits at Hunter.

Major Courses and Hunter Core Courses

A course taken to satisfy a major requirement often may satisfy a Hunter Common Core requirement. However, students are not allowed to take more than two courses from one department or program to fulfill the Hunter Core Requirement (note: English Composition 1 will not be counted as an English course in this context).

More than One Major

BA students have the option of declaring up to 3 majors. Students must complete the Hunter Core requirement and satisfy the sequence for all declared majors. If the same courses are required for two (or three) majors, the student must take additional courses as approved by the major department to reach the required number of credits in each major. Regardless of major(s), BA students must complete at least 90 Liberal Arts credits to graduate. Students are urged to meet frequently with an adviser to help them make good course selections.

Advising

Hunter College is concerned that students select their major(s) with careful consideration and with good knowledge of the range of options. For students who are nearing the 60-credit point and remain undecided about their choice of major, there are a number of avenues of assistance. Designated faculty advisors in each academic department can inform prospective majors about their undergraduate programs and related career possibilities. Also, the advisers in the Office of Advising and Career Development Services can offer assistance in choosing a major.

Each department has advisers to help students with such matters as course content, when a course is expected to be given, how a course is conducted (lecture, discussion) and the textbook(s) to be used. Students may want to discuss majoring in a subject before they make their official decision or to inquire about graduate schools. Majors should see the department advisers frequently to discuss their interests.

Declaring a Major

Students should confer with their advisor and can declare a major by visiting this page. Some majors require an application, audition/and or entrance exam. For a complete list, please visit: same website… and departmental websites.