Academics

General Education

Whatever major you pursue, you'll be able to enjoy a flexible, stimulating general education program that allows you to meet requirements in a way that fits your individual interests and builds important skills for future work or graduate study.

General Education is the part of the curriculum that is shared by all students. It comprises a series of courses which all students must complete in order to graduate with a Bachelor's degree. The Program contains 14 courses in three categories: (1) Required Core, (2) Flexible Core, (3) College Option

Lehman College Bachleor Degree 120 College Credits

Required Core: Courses that build a strong basis in communication and quantitative skills and in the methods of scientific inquiry for successful general and specialized learning

Communication Skills (4 courses)
- English (2 courses)
- Foreign Language (2 courses)
Quantitative Skills (1 course)
- Quantitative & Mathematical Reasoning (1 course)
Laboratory Science
- 1 course in Life and Physical Science (1 course)

2. CUNY Flexible Core (6 courses) Courses that extend critical thinking across a range of disciplines to provide a broad learning experience

World Cultures and Global Issues (1 course)
US Experience in Its Diversity (1 course)
Creative Expression (1 course)
Individual and Society (1 course)
Scientific World* (1 course)
A sixth course from any of these categories

Learn More

3 . College Option (2 courses) Multidisciplinary capstone courses that examine topics from the perspective of different disciplines.

2 courses

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Important: Writing Intensive Courses

In addition to that, every student has to take 4 courses that are designated as writing-intensive (W). Please note, that not all courses that require you to write a lot are recognized as writing-intensive courses - only courses that are indexed with a “W” will count as writing intensive courses for your degree. These courses are offered in General Education, Major, Minor, and Elective courses. 3 courses are taken prior to earning the 60th credit and 1 following. Get More Information

Major Concentration Courses

What are Majors, Minors, and Certificates?

A Major is a specific subject area that you specialize in. It is the subject or area in which you will take the largest number of courses to make up the 120 credits required to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. All students must choose a major.

You can (but do not have to) choose a Minor, which is a declared secondary field of study or specialization that includes considerably fewer credits than the major.

Some programs also offer certificate programs that you can (but do not have to) choose. Certificate programs offer you an alternative academic credential to the lengthier undergraduate or graduate degree programs. The coursework of such programs tends to be compressed, focusing almost entirely on a specific topic.

When Should You Choose Your Major?

Begin thinking about a major BEFORE you enroll! Keep thinking about a major as you take courses beginning in your first year. The more you think, the sooner you can decide. If you are not sure what major you should choose, narrow your thinking to several possibilities. One might be a Minor. You can choose a minor before you choose a major.

Many students change majors and minors as they discover more about themselves and their interests. Bear in mind that, the earlier you choose, the easier it is to change.

Why choose early? When you choose a major, you will have a major advisor in a department who can guide your academic and career choices. Students without majors use general advising (see the Advising Office). Students who have chosen a major can see both a general advisor and their major advisor.

You should choose a major (and, if you want to, a minor) during your sophomore year (when you have 30 credits, but before 60). If you receive TAP support, then you must declare a major by the time you reach 60 credits. See this checklist for detailed information about what you should do in your Sophomore Year.

Transfer students follow this same timetable: If you come with less than 60 previous credits, but more than 15, you should be thinking already about a program or major subject; if you come with 60 or more credits, and you expect to have TAP assistance, you need to declare a major immediately. Even if you do not have a TAP award, it is still advisable to declare a major as soon as you can, and absolutely within your first transfer semester at Lehman.

How Do I Choose My Major?

Choosing a major means deciding what subjects you like and are good at, and identifying what career or professional plans you have. Here is an analysis of what majors support what careers: “What can I do with this major?”.

Talk with your instructors after class or during their office hours; ask their opinion and suggestions. They are your best resource in deciding what to choose as a major and minor.

What are your choices? See this list of Majors, Minors and Related Disciplines. Note that many of the majors are also available as minors; some of the subjects are available only as minors: see the qualifications under the subjects.)

Visit the departments where you might major and discuss the major requirements with a department advisor. For starters, refer to list of the major requirements from the Undergraduate Bulletin or the Major Academic Plans (LINK).

Use Degree Works to see how the major requirement will fit into what you have taken so far. Degree Works will show you what courses you need to take “If you choose this major” – the “What If” feature. Degree Works can also help you plan for a minor, if you wish to declare one. Here is information on Degree Works.

To declare a major or minor, pick up the appropriate form in the Registrar's Office (Shuster Hall, Room 106), get a signature from the appropriate department, and return the form to Shuster Hall, Room 106. Click here for more information.

Many departments have their own checklists and forms for majors; be sure to ask about the department’s lists and forms and use them when you visit your major advisor. Use the same method to choose and declare your Minor, if you choose to do so. The earlier you declare a minor, the more flexibility you will have to choose courses and complete all your requirements in the most efficient and quickest way!

Always …

Check with your advisor(s) each semester before registering for the next semester. Be sure you know ALL the graduation requirements - for General Education, for your Major, and, if applicable, for your Minor and for any special programs.

Elective Courses

To graduate with a Bachelor degree from Lehman College, you must receive 120 college credits. You will need to take credits in General Education, in your Major concentration (the subject area in which you will take the largest number of courses), in your minor concentration (only if you choose to take a minor), and through courses that you can choose freely (electives).

At least 30 credits and at least half of the credits in the major (and, if applicable, in the minor or in an interdisciplinary program) must be received directly from Lehman College.

The information on this website will help you understand what you need to do to graduate with a Bachelor degree from Lehman College. In any event, please make sure to talk with an academic advisor about studying at Lehman College.

Visit Academic Advising in Shuster Hall 280 - See open hours here
Schedule an advising appointment, or contact a specific academic advisor here.

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Core Requirements for all Undergraduate Students (General Education)

Lehman College Bachleor Degree: 120 College Credits