Graduation Requirements
Undergrad (Bachelor’s Degree)
To graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Queens College, you need to:
- Finish your general education classes (QC Core & Pathways)
- Complete at least one majorÂ
- Earn a minimum of 120 total credits
Use DegreeWorks to check your progress, meet with your advisor, and apply through CUNYfirst when you’re ready.
Grad (Master’s Degree)
To graduate with a master’s degree, you need to:
- Complete the requirements for your specific program, listed in the Graduate Catalog
- Earn between 30 and 60 credits, depending on your program
- Keep a minimum 3.0 GPA
Meet with your department advisor regularly to confirm you’re on track, then apply through CUNYfirst when ready.
Graduation Deadlines & Important Dates
|
Semester Applied |
Graduation Application Period |
Conferral Date |
Diploma Ordered |
|
Fall |
July 2- Nov. 1Â |
January 1st |
April 15th |
|
Winter**Â |
Nov. 2- Jan. 1Â |
February 1st |
April 15th |
|
Spring |
Nov. 2- March 1 |
June 1st |
August 1st |
|
Summer |
March 2- July 1 |
September 1st |
November 1st |
|
Summer* (for Commencement |
March 2- April 1Â |
September 1st |
November 1st |
Conferral Date: graduation requirements are completed by this date, degree awarding will begin afterÂ
Summer Graduation: Apply by April 1st to attend the Commencement Ceremony and have your name listed in the Commencement Program. Students who apply after April 1 will be invited to participate in the ceremony held the following year.Â
Winter Graduation: Submit the Winter Graduation form to registrar@qc.cuny.edu using your Queens College email account.  https://www.qc.cuny.edu/registrar/forms/ Â
How to Apply for Graduation
1. Log into your CUNYfirst account
2. Click on the Student Center
3. Click on the Graduation and Transcript
4. On the left-hand side, click the Application for Graduation — If you don’t see the graduation application link in CUNYfirst, please contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@qc.cuny.edu.
5. Select Yes, then click the Apply button at the bottom right of the page.
6. Select your term from the dropdown list and click Next in the top-right corner.
7. Verify your Personal Details, then click Next.
– Note: You cannot change the information on this page. If your contact information has changed, please complete the Personal Data Change Request (for legal name, phone number, and address updates).
8. Review the information on each page. Click Next in the top right corner to proceed to the final confirmation page.
9. Click Submit to finalize your application.
Double Major Diploma Guidelines
Students with two majors that lead to the same degree type (for example, a B.A. in Economics and a B.A. in Sociology) will receive one diploma with both majors listed.
Students with two different degree types (for example, a B.A. in Economics and a B.B.A. in Accounting) will receive their diploma(s) based on the total number of credits earned:
120–149 credits: Students will receive one diploma for the degree they choose.
150 or more credits: Students will receive two separate diplomas, one for each degree.
What Every Student Should Know
- Apply for graduation through your CUNYfirst Student Center for Fall, Spring, and Summer terms (Winter applications are submitted by email to the Registrar)
- The Office of the Registrar conducts the official degree audit, which is the final step before your degree is conferred
- Meet with your academic advisor or graduate program coordinator before applying to confirm you have met all requirements
- Graduate students must be enrolled or on maintenance of matriculation in the semester they intend to graduate
How to View your Application Status
- Log in to CUNYfirst.Â
- Click on “Student Center.”Â
- Click on “Graduation and Transcript.”Â
- On the menu on the left-hand side, Click on “Application for Graduation.”Â
|
Status |
What It Means |
|
Apply for Graduation |
Your application is submitted |
|
Program in Review |
General education requirements are being reviewed |
|
Needs to Finish Pending Work |
Major/minor requirements are being reviewed |
|
Degree Awarded |
All requirements completed. (Diplomas are ordered 3 months after the conferral date) |
To earn a bachelor’s degree, you must complete at least 120 credits, including general education, major requirements, and any electives needed to reach the credit total.
General Education (QC Core & Pathways) — all undergraduate students must complete:
- Pathways Common Core requirements
- Queens College (QC) Option courses (varies by transfer status)
- Two Writing-Intensive “W” courses (at least one at QC)
Undergraduate Transfer Students
Students must complete a minimum of 45 credits at Queens College to qualify for graduation. The number of QC Option courses required depends on whether you started at a 2-year or 4-year program. See the Admissions & Programs catalog.
Major & Minor Requirements — every undergraduate must complete at least one major. Minors are optional but can help you reach 120 credits. Some programs — including Business Administration, Dietetics, Neuroscience, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Music, BFA-Studio Arts, Design, and Education programs — require an application or special declaration. See Degree Requirements on the Academic Advising Center site.
Graduate requirements vary by program. Consult your department listing in the Graduate Catalog for the exact credits, courses, and milestones required for your degree.
- Credits: Most master’s programs require 30 to 60 credits, depending on the degree
- GPA: All graduate programs must be completed with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Program coursework: Complete all required and elective courses defined by your department or program
- Time limit: Most master’s degrees must be completed within 4 years of matriculation (5 years for MAT and MSEd programs)
- Residency & transfer credit: Up to 12 graduate credits may be transferred with department approval if earned before matriculation
Graduate Students Who Have Finished Coursework
If you have completed all coursework but are not taking classes in your graduation semester, you must file a Maintenance of Matriculation form and pay the associated fee. See Graduation & Diplomas for details.
Undergraduate pathways, majors, and credit rules
Graduate program credits, courses, and policies
Apply for graduation, DegreeWorks, and diploma info
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