Starting Fall 2013, CUNY will implement the Pathways initiative across its undergraduate colleges. Pathways establishes a new system of general education requirements and new transfer guidelines across the University – and by doing so reinforces CUNY’s educational excellence while easing student transfer between CUNY colleges.
CUNY’s new general education framework is a central feature of Pathways. It lays out requirements that undergraduate students across CUNY must meet. Importantly, it also guarantees that general education requirements fulfilled at one CUNY college will carry over seamlessly if a student transfers to another CUNY college.
Through the three elements of this framework – the Required Common Core, the Flexible Common Core and for students in bachelor’s degree programs, the College Option Requirement – CUNY seeks to provide students with well-rounded knowledge, a critical appreciation of diverse cultural and intellectual traditions, an interest in relating the past to the complex world in which students live today, and the ability to help society create a fresh and enlightened future. The framework allows students to explore knowledge from various perspectives and to develop their critical abilities to read, write and use language and symbol systems effectively. It also develops students’ intellectual curiosity and committment to lifelong learning.
Every student starting in Fall 2013, must complete the 30-credit Common Core to earn an Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS)* or Bachelor’s degree from CUNY. Students pursuing Associate in Applied Science (AAS)* degrees may not have to fulfill all 30 credits of the Common Core to earn a degree. Additionally, students in Bachelor’s degree programs must complete the College Option Requirement.
Common Core – 30 credits
Required Common Core (12 credits / 4 courses)
Flexible Common Core (18 credits / 6 courses)**
- Creative Expression
- Individual and Society
- Scientific World
- U.S. Experience in its Diversity
- World Cultures and Global Issues
*Some AS and AAS programs may specify Common Core courses that students must take to complete their degree in the regular number of credits.
**BMCC has specified how the sixth Flexible Common Core course must be chosen, depending on your major. Please contact an advisor for more information. Please note: No more than 2 courses in any discipline or interdisciplinary field (i.e. MES, ECO, LIN, etc.) can be used to satisfy Flexible Core requirements.
CUNY Pathways Student Rights & Responsibilies
See updates and more information on CUNY Pathways Student Rights and Responsibilities.
