Navigating Hunter College Graduation Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide

Graduating from Hunter College is a significant academic achievement, marking the culmination of rigorous study and intellectual development. To ensure a smooth transition from student to graduate, understanding and fulfilling the college's graduation requirements is paramount. This guide provides a detailed overview of the pathways to earning a bachelor's degree, focusing on the essential components: the Hunter Core Requirement (HCR), the chosen Major Field of Study, and other crucial academic milestones.

The Foundation: Hunter Core Requirements (HCR)

The Hunter Core Requirement, often referred to as the Hunter Core or HCR, forms the bedrock of an undergraduate education at Hunter College. This comprehensive set of courses is designed to foster essential academic skills and broaden intellectual horizons. The HCR aims to equip students with the ability to write effectively, reason mathematically and scientifically, and think critically. A distinguishing feature of the Hunter Core is its emphasis on foreign language acquisition and the encouragement for students to delve deeply into a subject area outside their primary major, thereby promoting a well-rounded and interdisciplinary educational experience.

The Hunter Core Requirement encompasses several key areas:

CUNY Common Core (CCC)

A significant portion of the General Education requirements is fulfilled through the CUNY Common Core, which comprises 30 credits. This framework ensures a standardized yet robust foundation across all CUNY institutions. For students who have earned an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree from an accredited institution, including CUNY, and who matriculated in Fall 2013 or later, the CUNY Common Core requirements are typically considered fulfilled. However, for other CUNY transfer students, any unmet CCC requirements must be completed while enrolled at Hunter. Non-CUNY transfer students without an AA/AS degree are advised to consult with an academic advisor to ascertain whether they have met these requirements.

Hunter Focus: The College Option

The Hunter Focus, also known as the College Option, is a 12-credit component designed to deepen students' intellectual engagement and explore diverse academic areas. The specific composition of these credits can vary based on a student's matriculation status and their proficiency in foreign languages. The Hunter Focus is generally divided into two main parts: Foreign Language and Concentrated Study.

Read also: Hunter Education Course Details

Foreign Language Requirement: A core component of the Hunter Focus is the attainment of fourth-semester proficiency in a foreign language. For students beginning their language studies at Hunter with no prior coursework, this typically involves completing four courses, totaling approximately 12 credits. Students who have prior language coursework, including credits earned in high school, are strongly encouraged to consult with an academic advisor. Advisors can help assess existing proficiency and determine the most efficient path to fulfilling this requirement. It is important to note that students may apply only one course at each level (Elementary Level 1, Elementary Level 2, Intermediate Level 3, and Intermediate Level 4) towards the Hunter Focus. Intensive language courses can also be utilized to satisfy the two-course sequence at both the elementary and intermediate levels.

Concentrated Study: Once the foreign language requirement is met, any remaining credits within the 12-credit Hunter Focus requirement are dedicated to Concentrated Study. This component encourages students to pursue in-depth study in an area outside their major. Concentrated Study can be fulfilled by taking courses that satisfy the requirements for a declared minor, a second major, or a certificate program. The number of credits required for Concentrated Study ranges from 0 to 12, directly dependent on the number of credits a student must complete in their foreign language study. For instance, a student completing the full 12 credits of foreign language study would have 0 credits for Concentrated Study, while a student who fulfills their language requirement with fewer credits would need to complete the remaining credits through Concentrated Study.

Exceptions to Hunter Focus: Students enrolled in specific programs, such as the School of Nursing, may have alternative pathways to fulfill their Hunter Focus requirements. For example, nursing students might fulfill their entire 12 credits by taking three "STEM variant" science courses in addition to any STEM courses already used to satisfy the CUNY Common Core.

Special Considerations for Students Matriculating Before Fall 2019: For students who matriculated prior to Fall 2019, a specific three-credit component related to their foreign language study may be waived.

Special Considerations for Students Matriculating in Fall 2019 and After: For students who matriculated in Fall 2019 or later, and who do not complete a second major, minor, or certificate program, the remaining three credits of the Hunter Focus must be comprised of a course, at the 200-level or above, focused on a topic related to the language used for their Foreign Language requirement. This course can be taken in the target language or in English translation.

Writing Requirement

Hunter College places a strong emphasis on developing proficient writing skills. To fulfill the Writing Requirement, students must successfully complete three courses designated as Writing Intensive. These courses are marked with a "W" in the official course catalog. It is crucial to note that all "W" courses must be taken at Hunter College to satisfy this requirement. Importantly, these Writing Intensive courses can also be used to fulfill other academic requirements, providing an efficient way to meet multiple academic objectives simultaneously.

Pluralism and Diversity Requirement

The Pluralism and Diversity Requirement is designed to expose students to a wide range of perspectives and critical issues stemming from diverse historical, social, and intellectual traditions. Students must complete four courses, with each course fulfilling one of four distinct categories:

Migration, Diaspora, and Globalization: This category explores the complexities of human movement, cultural exchange, and global interconnectedness.
Residency, Citizenship, and Human Rights: Courses in this area delve into the concepts of belonging, legal status, and fundamental human entitlements.
Intersectionality and Social Justice: This category examines how various social identities (such as race, gender, class, and sexual orientation) intersect to create unique experiences of privilege and oppression, with a focus on achieving equitable outcomes.
Knowledge Construction, Environments, and Technologies: This area investigates how knowledge is created, disseminated, and challenged, and explores the relationship between human societies and their environments, as well as the impact of technology.

Similar to Writing Intensive courses, any single course designated for the Pluralism and Diversity requirement can only satisfy one of the four categories. However, these courses may also be used to fulfill other academic requirements, offering flexibility in curriculum planning.

The Major Field of Study

Beyond the foundational Hunter Core, students must successfully complete the requirements for their chosen Major Field of Study. This specialization allows for in-depth exploration and mastery of a particular discipline.

Declaring a Major

All matriculated students are required to declare a major. This declaration is typically expected no later than the semester in which the combined total of credits earned and credits for which the student is currently registered reaches 60 or more. For transfer students entering Hunter with 60 or more credits, the declaration of a major is mandatory before the end of their first semester of attendance.

The timely declaration of a major is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, some courses and future career opportunities may only be accessible to students who have officially declared a major. Secondly, under New York State guidelines, students who have not declared a major by the 61-credit point may become ineligible for TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) financial aid.

To declare or change a major, students should obtain a major declaration form from the Office of Advising and Career Development Services (OASIS), located in Room 217 Hunter North. It is essential to confer with an academic advisor within the chosen major department to discuss program requirements and ensure proper course selection.

Assistance in Choosing a Major

Hunter College is committed to ensuring that students make informed decisions about their academic specialization. For students nearing the 60-credit point and who remain undecided about their major, a variety of support services are available. Designated faculty advisors in each academic department provide valuable insights into undergraduate programs and related career possibilities. Additionally, advisors within the Office of Advising and Career Development Services offer comprehensive assistance in exploring different majors and making a selection that aligns with individual interests and goals. The college strongly encourages students to approach this decision with careful consideration and a thorough understanding of the available options.

Major Credits at Hunter

To earn a Hunter College degree, students must complete at least half of their major credits at the institution. This ensures a substantial in-residence component for the primary field of study.

Navigating Multiple Majors and Degrees

Hunter College offers flexibility for students wishing to pursue multiple areas of academic interest, including the possibility of pursuing more than one major or even two undergraduate degrees.

More Than One Major

Students have the option to declare more than one major. However, it is important to consider the potential implications of this choice. Pursuing multiple majors can significantly impact the time to graduation, may affect eligibility for professional certifications, and could have implications for financial aid. Students are strongly advised to engage in frequent discussions with academic advisors, faculty advisors in each intended major, and financial aid/scholarship advisors before committing to a multi-major path.

Multiple B.A. Majors

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) students have the option to declare more than one B.A. major. In such cases, students must successfully complete the Hunter General Education requirements as well as the specific requirements for all declared B.A. majors. A key liberal arts credit requirement for B.A. students is to complete at least 90 Liberal Arts credits to graduate, irrespective of the number or combination of majors selected.

Multiple B.S. Majors

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) students can declare up to two B.S. majors. Similar to B.A. students, they must fulfill the Hunter General Education requirements and the requirements for all declared B.S. majors. B.S. students are required to complete a minimum of 60 Liberal Arts credits to graduate, regardless of their chosen major(s).

Declaring Majors Across Different Undergraduate Degree Awards (B.A. and B.S.)

Undergraduate students at Hunter College have the option to declare up to two majors that span different undergraduate degree awards, such as combining a B.A. major with a B.S. major. Students pursuing this path have two primary options:

One-Degree Option: In this scenario, a student completes the requirements for two declared majors from different award designations. However, they will be awarded only one degree, associated with one of the two majors. A notation indicating the completion of all requirements for the second major will be recorded on the student's official transcript. This option represents a minimum 120-credit pathway to graduation.

Two-Degree Option: Students who fulfill the requirements for two declared majors from different degree awards may opt to receive two distinct undergraduate degrees and two diplomas. To achieve this, students must complete at least an additional 30 credits in residence beyond the standard 120 credits required for a single bachelor's degree, resulting in a minimum of 150 credits. This option may extend the time to graduation, potentially requiring five or more years to complete.

Special Honors Program Consideration: Students enrolled in the Thomas Hunter Honors Program may have additional flexibility, potentially allowing them to declare up to two majors between different undergraduate degree awards, with at least one being in a B.A. field, in addition to the requirements of the Special Honors Curriculum major.

Important Considerations for Dual Degree Pathways: Regardless of whether a student chooses the one-degree or two-degree option when pursuing majors from different award designations, they must satisfy the Hunter General Education requirements and the specific requirements for all declared majors. Furthermore, all degree requirements from both award designations must be met. It is crucial to note that degree award requirements can differ, particularly concerning the number of required liberal arts credits or the minimum cumulative grade point average.

Liberal Arts Credits: If the degree awards have differing requirements for the number of liberal arts credits, students must fulfill the higher number of required liberal arts credits.
Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average: Similarly, if the degree awards have different minimum cumulative grade point average requirements, students must achieve the higher required minimum cumulative grade point average.

Double Counting Courses

Between or Among Multiple Majors: Courses may be used to satisfy the requirements of more than one major. This is known as "double counting." When double counting is permitted, students do not need to take additional courses to fulfill the credit requirements for each major. A course can be double counted between or among majors if and only if all departments or programs involved have approved policies that allow for such double counting. If any department or program does not have an approved policy permitting double counting for a particular course, then that course cannot be double counted for that student's declared majors. In such instances, the student will be required to take additional courses, as approved by the relevant department(s) or program(s), to meet the credit requirements for each major.

Between Majors and Minors: Courses can also potentially satisfy requirements for both a major and a minor. Double counting between a major and a minor occurs when departments allow a course to count towards the credit requirements of both. When permitted, students do not need to take extra courses to meet the credit totals for each program. However, a student can only double count courses between majors and minors if the minor program's policy allows it, with a crucial exception: courses used to fulfill the Hunter Focus requirement cannot be double counted in this manner. If a minor program does not have an approved policy permitting double counting with majors, then such double counting is not allowed.

Advising: A Crucial Component of Success

Hunter College places significant emphasis on student advising to ensure that individuals make well-informed decisions about their academic paths. For students who are approaching the 60-credit mark and remain undecided about their major, a robust network of support is available. Faculty advisors within each academic department are equipped to provide detailed information about undergraduate programs and discuss potential career trajectories. Furthermore, advisors in the Office of Advising and Career Development Services offer comprehensive guidance and support in the process of selecting a major.

Departmental advisors are invaluable resources for students, offering assistance with matters such as course content, scheduling of courses, instructional methods (lecture, discussion), and required textbooks. Students are encouraged to discuss potential majors with advisors even before making their official declaration, and to inquire about graduate school opportunities. Regular consultations with departmental advisors are highly recommended for all students, especially those who have declared a major, to ensure their academic progress aligns with their evolving interests and goals.

Total Credits for Graduation

To be awarded a bachelor's degree from Hunter College, a student must successfully earn a total of 120 credits. These 120 credits must encompass the fulfillment of the Hunter Core Requirement (which can account for up to 42 credits) and the completion of all requirements for the student's declared major field of study. It is important to note that the credits earned for the Hunter Core and for a major typically do not sum up to the full 120 credits, necessitating the completion of additional elective or general credits to reach the total requirement.

Graduation Application and Ceremony

Applying to Graduate

The process of applying for graduation is a critical step in officially completing one's degree program. Congratulations on reaching this important milestone in your academic journey! If you are nearing the completion of your degree requirements at Hunter College, itâs time to apply for graduation. This step ensures that your academic records are reviewed and your degree is officially conferred. On this page, youâll find all the information you need about the application process, deadlines, and what to expect as you prepare for graduation.

Degrees are conferred four times per academic year. To apply for Winter Graduation, students must access their CUNYfirst account and submit an application for Fall graduation. It is essential to be enrolled in a winter class to be eligible for Winter Graduation.

Commencement Ceremony

The Commencement Ceremony, also known as Commencement, is Hunter's annual celebration to recognize recent graduates and graduation candidates. Only students who have formally applied to graduate will receive an invitation to attend Commencement.

Post-Graduation Record

Upon graduation from the College, a student's academic record at Hunter College becomes closed and cannot be altered. For detailed information regarding Hunter College degree requirements, rules, and regulations, it is advisable to consult the College Catalog corresponding to the year of your initial matriculation.

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