Undergraduate Degree Requirements
Empire State College offers the following undergraduate degree programs
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)
- Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.)
- Associate in Arts (A.A.)
- Associate in Science (A.S.)
Requirements for an Empire State College Degree
As noted in the chart below:
- To earn an associate degree, you must complete 64 credits, with at least 24 earned at Empire State College. A bachelor's degree requires completion of 124 credits, with at least 31 earned at Empire State College.
- Each degree program has a specific number of required liberal studies credits. The number of liberal studies credits you include in your degree program determines the degree designation (B.A. = 94, B.S. = 62, B.P.S. = 32, BSN = 62, A.A. = 48 and A.S. = 32).
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To satisfy the State University of New York general education requirement, all undergraduate degree programs must have at least 30 credits over seven general education knowledge and skill areas. Students are required to meet the areas of Mathematics and Basic Communication. See the general education policy for details.
- All bachelor's degree programs at Empire State College require at least 45 credits of study at the advanced level, of which at least 24 credits must be in the concentration.
- Credits listed on your degree program plan may fulfill more than one requirement.
| Credits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Degree | Total | Maximum Advanced Standing | Minimum Liberal Studies | Minimum SUNY General Education | Minimum Advanced-Level in Concentration | Minimum Advanced-Level in Program |
| B.A. | 124 | 93 | 94 | 30 | 24 | 45 |
| B.S. | 124 | 93 | 62 | 30 | 24 | 45 |
| B.S.N. | 124 | 93 | 62 | 30 | 40 | 45 |
| B.P.S. | 124 | 93 | 32 | 30 | 24 | 45 |
| A.A. | 64 | 40 | 48 | 30 | — | — |
| A.S. | 64 | 40 | 32 | 30 | — | — |
The length of time it takes you to complete your degree depends on how much relevant college-level learning you already have, what you need to study to complete your degree and whether you enroll full time or part time.
Individual degree program concentrations may be drawn from one or more of the following comprehensive areas of study:
- The Arts
- Business, Management and Economics
- Community and Human Services
- Cultural Studies
- Educational Studies
- Historical Studies
- Human Development
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Labor Studies
- Public Affairs
- Science, Mathematics and Technology
- Social Science
In addition to the general expectations for degree program plan design, the college has established curricular guidelines for each of the academic areas of study in which concentrations may be developed. These area of study guidelines describe the college's general expectations for the academic content of concentrations within each area of study.
Because certain kinds of professional education are regulated by state education law, colleges may not offer professional concentrations in areas covered by the law unless authorized to do so. Empire State College may not approve some concentrations in such areas as nursing, engineering and education.