Degree Requirements
The requirements for an undergraduate degree at Lehman College are those in effect during the student's first semester of matriculation, with the exception that, as of the 1996 fall semester, the number of credits required to earn a degree is 120 for all students, provided all other requirements have been satisfied.
Effective fall 2019, when the requirements of an undergraduate program change, students currently enrolled in that program may elect to change from the requirements in place when they declared that program to the new program requirements. Readmitted students must complete the program requirements in effect when they are readmitted. In exceptional circumstances, determined by departmental advisors, a readmitted student may be allowed to remain under the original program requirements. All students enrolled in fall and summer 2019 whose program underwent revision prior to fall 2019 may take advantage of this policy.
Basic Skills Proficiency
Degree seeking students enrolling at Lehman College must demonstrate readiness in reading, writing and mathematics as defined by City University of New York prior to admission to the college. Students may demonstrate proficiency prior to enrolling at Lehman College by passing the appropriate CUNY Assessment Test(s).
The CUNY Assessment Tests (CATs) and the Mathematics Placement Test are administered in the Lehman College Testing Center. For additional information about CUNY Assessments please visit the Testing Center’s website at http://www.lehman.edu/academic-testing/.
Program in English as a Second Language
Students whose native language is not English and who have failed the CUNY Reading and/or Writing Assessment Test are administered an ESL Placement Test and placed in the ESL sequence or referred to the CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP). (For a detailed description of ESL courses, see the information contained under "Academic Departments and Programs" later in this Bulletin.)
Credit Requirements
To earn a bachelor's degree at Lehman College, students must earn a minimum of 120 credits. All students must complete at least thirty credits in residence at Lehman, including at least half of the credits of their chosen major and minor (if required). Credits in residence are defined as credits earned in Lehman College course work.
Majors, Minors, and Undergraduate Certificates
Major Field Requirement
All candidates for a baccalaureate degree must select a major field of study and complete all requirements for that major.
Each department, departmental section, or interdisciplinary program at the College is responsible for determining the content and requirements of the majors it offers. The requirements for each major are listed under the alphabetical listings of departments in this Bulletin. Students must select a major by the time they have earned 60 college credits and must record their choices in the Office of the Registrar (Shuster Hall, Room 102). Students are advised to consult with prospective departments about a major as soon as possible.
Restrictions for the B.A. degree: No more than 42 credits may be required within one department. No more than 64 credits may be required as a major.
Restrictions for the B.S. and B.F.A. degrees: No more than 64 credits may be required within one department. No more than 85 credits may be required as a major.
Note: Students may take no more than 60 credits in any one department.
Double Majors
To graduate with a double major, a student must fulfill the requirements for both majors and must earn at least 24 discrete credits in each major field, i.e., none of the 24 credits applied toward one major shall be applied toward the other major.
Optional Minor (12 Credits or more credits)
Effective fall 2020, a minor, which normally consists of twelve credits of related courses beyond the 100 level in a department or approved program (including professional programs, such as teacher education), is not required for graduation (except as may be required for a specific major). Students may nonetheless declare a minor field of concentration, which will become part of their official program. Normally, at least six of the twelve credits must be taken in 300- and 400-level courses. At least 50% of the courses taken to fulfill the requirements of a minor must be discrete, that is, at least 50% must be different from the courses used to fulfill the requirements of the student’s major or other minors/certificates.
Undergraduate Certificates
Effective fall 2019, undergraduate certificate programs (not including certificates offered by Continuing Education) shall follow the policies and procedures in effect for minors.
Graduation Requirements
To qualify for graduation with a Lehman College baccalaureate degree, students must complete the following requirements:
1. completion of at least 120 credits, including all degree requirements;
2. completion of at least 30 credits in coursework at Lehman, including at least half the number of credits in the student's major and half in the minor or half of the credits in an interdisciplinary program;
3. a minimum Lehman College cumulative index of 2.0; and
4. either a minimum grade of C or an overall index of 2.0 in all courses taken in the major and minor departments or in an interdisciplinary program.