Course Outline

Topics Covered

• College resources
• Important reminders
• Where to find advisors

General Education Requirements

Some courses have prerequisites. A prerequisite is a class that you must pass before you can register for another, related class. For instance, English 125 is a prerequisite for English 200. You must take English 125 before you can enroll in English 200.

Some majors will require you to take specific general education courses. These include: Physician Assistant, Nursing, Medical Technology, Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Teacher Education.

Basic requirements

• English 125 and English 200
• Speech 101
• Phys Ed 150
• Cultural Diversity 101
• Cultural Diversity 201, 202, 203, or 210
• Math 111, 115, 121, 150, 184, or 190
• Up to 8 credits of Foreign Language. To determine your foreign language course needs, go to the Foreign Languages Office in 3C08.

Humanities

• One of the following choices from history or philosophy
  
  • HIS 100, 108, 113, 201, 202, 204, 257, 275, 275
  • PHIL 102, 103, 121, 122, 151
• One of the following choices from fine arts, music, speech, or theater arts
  
  • FA 104, 150, 152, 155, 264, 381
  • MUS 101, 110, 225, 250, 253
  • SPCH 160
  • TA 110, 114, 211, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219

Behavioral Sciences

• Two of the following - they must each be from different areas and not in your major
  
  • African-American Studies 101, 172
  • Political Science 101, 102
  • Psychology 102, 110
  • Anthropology 101, 103
  • ECON 101, 102
  • Sociology 101

Natural Sciences

• Two of the following - they must be from different areas. Science majors are exempt, but must take 5 extra credits as stipulated by their major
  
  • Astronomy 101, 102, 140
  • Biology 110, 120, 130
  • Chemistry 120, 121
  • Geology 110, 115, 120, 121, 140
  • Health Professions and Environmental Health 110

Writing

• One of the following
  
  • Writing 301 (best for humanities or social sciences majors)
  • Writing 302 (best for natural sciences, math, or technology majors)
  • Writing 303 (best for students majoring in professional programs)

CUNY Proficiency Exam (CPE)

• Tests some of the skills that you will have developed through the coursework that you have taken, including:
  • Reading academic articles
  • Writing clearly and effectively for an audience
  • Interpreting and evaluating material presented in charts and graphs
• Students are required to take the exam once they have completed 45 credits.
• Students transferring with over 45 credits must take the CPE at the first administration of the exam.
• The Testing Office has special workshops and an online tutorial. Visit their website or go to the office in AC-1G05 to sign up for a workshop.

Reminders

There are a few other graduation requirements to know about

1. York requires that you take three classes that are considered "writing intensive." Every semester some classes are designated as writing intensive in each department.

   In these classes you'll do a lot of writing and revising as a way to help you learn the material and grow as a writer. To graduate, you'll have to take two writing intensive classes at the 100 or 200 level and another in your major at the 300 or 400 level.

   With a little planning, you can complete your two 100- or 200-level writing intensive courses while you complete your general education courses. The course schedule will tell you which classes are considered writing intensive.

2. Students are required to have a certain number of liberal arts credits to graduate. BS students need at least 60 liberal arts credits; and BA students need at least 90. See an advisor to determine the number of liberal arts credits you have taken.

3. Students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA overall and in their major while at York. If you have a 2.0 overall GPA but not a 2.0 GPA in your major, you won't be able to graduate. Keep in mind that some majors require more than a 2.0 GPA to graduate.

York Online Resources

1. eSims
   

   eSims is our online student management database where you will register and access your student records. All students except freshmen must register by using eSims on the CUNY Portal. To set up your account click on the Log-in link on the CUNY Portal homepage and click on "Register Now".

2. Cardinal Check

   Cardinal Check is a great tool to use each semester before you register for courses and monitor your progress toward graduation. Using this program, you can see what graduation requirements you have already completed and which you still need to take. The college provides access to log-in instructions and a usage manual.

3. College Bulletin

   The College Bulletin is your contract with the college, specifying your requirements for graduation. Sometimes these requirements can change from year to year. You are required to use the bulletin from the semester you started at York. However, if you sit out for three or more semesters in a row, you will have to use a new bulletin when you resume taking classes.

4. Student Advisement Handbook

   Lastly, the Online Student Advisement Handbook provides a one-stop-shop website for all your advising needs. The handbook links you to all of the academic programs, college policies, services, and faculty and staff resources at York.

5. The CUNY Pipeline Program

The CUNY Pipeline Program is designed to provide educational and financial support to underrepresented CUNY undergraduates interested in pursuing the Ph.D. in preparation for college-level teaching and advanced research in any discipline except law and medicine.