Frequently Asked Questions
Graduation
When do I apply for graduation?
Students are required to apply for graduation on CUNYfirst one semester prior to their expected final semester. See the College Academic Calendar for exact application deadline date. Students should seek advisement from their major department prior to applying for graduation, in order to ensure that they have taken the courses required for their major and are using the correct catalog.
How many credits do I need in order to apply for graduation?
In order to apply for graduation, students must have completed a minimum of 90 credits (Senior). At the end of every semester, all new seniors are made eligible to apply online for graduation.
How do I apply for graduation?
Students can apply for graduation on CUNYfirst via the Student Center or Self Service. Click on the "Apply for Graduation" link in Self-Service OR Select "Apply for Graduation" from the drop-down menu in your Student Center (as shown below). AND Follow the prompts/links until you hit the green "Submit Application" button.
Step 1: Sign onto your CUNYfirst account and select "Student Center".
Step 2: Under "Academic's you will see a drop-down menu. Select "Apply for Graduation"
Step 3: Verify that your major is correct and select from the available graduation terms. Then select "Continue".
Step 4: Verify that your major and graduation term is correct. Then select "Submit Application".
Step 5: You have successfully applied for graduation.
What happens after I apply for graduation?
After you successfully submit your application for graduation, the Office of the Registrar will review your York College transcript to identify your outstanding degree requirements. This Graduation Checklist will be emailed to your York email account(typically prior to the start of your final semester). In the event that you have not received this Graduation Checklist prior to the start of your final semester, please contact the Graduation Unit in the Office of the Registrar. You should consult your major department for advisement.
What are the degree requirements for my major?
The degree requirements are listed in the York College Bulletin which is available online. You may also access your degree requirements on Degree Works, the student advisement audit system through the CUNYfirst "Student Center". The requirements for your degree are taken from the bulletin which is in effect at the time you were matriculated and declared your major. Bulletins begin in the fall semester and end in the spring semester. Students who become matriculated in the summer term must follow the fall catalog of that year.
What is the Major Residency requirement?
At least half* of the credits in the major program must be taken at York College. Repeated courses do not count towards residency. (*Exceptions include: Accounting which requires 15 credits in Accounting courses to be taken at York, Finance which requires 15 credits in Finance courses at York, and Nursing-RN which requires 25 credits in Nursing courses at York.)
What is the College Residency requirement?
Students are required to complete at least 40 credits at York College for residency. To graduate with honors, at least 56 credits must be taken at York College.
How many Liberal Arts credits are required for graduation?
To earn a Bachelor of Music degree, students are required to complete 30 credits in Liberal Arts courses. To earn a Bachelor of Science degree, students are required to complete 60 credits in Liberal Arts courses. To earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, students are required to complete 90 credits in Liberal Arts courses. This is a New York State Education Department requirement that MUST be completed.
What GPA is required for graduation?
Most majors require a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 for major and overall GPA. Clinical Laboratory Science and Social Work majors require a 2.5 GPA. Public Health and all Teacher Education majors require a 3.00 GPA. Occupational Therapy major requires a 2.8 GPA at the Undergraduate Level and a 3.0 GPA at the Graduate Level.
What grade point average (GPA) do an undergraduate need in order to graduate with honors?
To Graduate with Honors the following criteria apply:
Cum Laude: 3.500 - 3.699.
Magna cum laude: 3.700 - 3.849.
Summa cum laude: 3.850 - 4.000.
Meet the College's residency requirement of 56 credits.
Computation of Graduation Honors will be based on all grades of A+ through F. NC, R and all failing grades will be calculated as F grades, including repeated courses with the Exclude Credit and GPA repeat code (CUNY F-grade policy).
How many majors and minors can I declare?
There is a limit of two majors and/or minors a student can declare. However, a course cannot be used to complete two different requirements (major/minor). For example a Biology major could not complete a Chemistry minor because each requires CHEM 231, 232, 233. If a student chooses to major in disciplines offering different types of degree (for example History [BA] and Biology [BS]), the student will only earn one degree based on their primary major.
Can I earn two degrees at the same time?
No. Students with more than one major will only earn one degree based on their primary major. Only students in the Occupational Therapy program will receive two degrees (Bachelor of Science and Master of Science).
Will the diploma show my major?
Bachelor's diplomas do not show the major, only the degree type. The transcript will display any declared major(s) and minor(s). Master's diplomas will show the major and the degree type.
The degree requirements have changed since I entered the York College. Will that affect my graduation?
Possibly. If a student stops attending the college for more than one consecutive semester, that student will be required to follow the current bulletin for Pathways General Education requirements upon re-admission. If a student stops attending the college for more than two consecutive semesters that student will also be required to follow the current bulletin for major requirements upon re-admission. Continuing students who have not missed any semesters can continue to follow the bulletin for the academic year in which they declared their major and were matriculated.
How many credits do I need to earn a degree at York?
Students are required to complete a minimum of 120 credits for a Bachelor's degree. Waivers of courses do not release students from acquiring the total number of credits required to earn a degree.
Is it possible for me to graduate in one semester and complete the courses required for my major during the following semester?
No, ALL degree requirements for ALL declared majors and minors must be completed at time of graduation.
Can I graduate if I have an incomplete (INC/PEN) grade in the semester that I apply and/or expect to graduate?
Students cannot graduate with an incomplete (INC/PEN) grade on his/her record. The graduation term would be postponed to the following term if the final grade is not received prior to the conferral date. If a change of final grade form is not received by the deadline on the Academic Calendar then the grade will be changed to an FIN, which will affect the cumulative GPA and may negatively impact eligibility for graduation. Student cannot be assigned a retroactive conferral date.
Can I graduate without the posting of my ePermit course?
No. All grades must be received for any course(s) taken on ePermit whether or not the course(s) is a degree requirement.
Can I receive a grade change after graduation?
No. Once a student has been granted a degree, grade changes for courses taken in semesters prior to receiving the degree are not permitted. If any student expects to receive a grade change, please notify the Graduation Unit in the Office of the Registrar immediately at registrar@york.cuny.edu.
Can I improve my GPA after graduation?
No. Once a student has been conferred a degree, their undergraduate degree GPA will be frozen. Any additional classes taken after the conferral date will be applied towards the student's new degree GPA.
I missed the deadline for submitting my application for graduation online. Will I still be able to apply for that graduation term?
Yes, students who have registered for ALL degree requirements must visit the Office of the Registrar one month after the start of their final semester to request an application card. We will accept late applications up until one month prior to the degree conferral date. After then, a student must apply to graduate in the following graduation term.
While the Office of the Registrar remains closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, any student that missed the deadline and has registered for ALL degree requirements should email the Office of the Registrar (from their York email account) one month after the start of their final semester to request that their application for graduation be switched to the current term. Before contacting the Office of the Registrar, any such student should have already applied online through their CUNYfirst Student Center for the future term available in CUNYfirst.
I applied late for the Spring graduation term; can I still attend the commencement ceremony?
Yes. Student Activities will be notified to add a student's name to the list. A student's name may not appear in the commencement booklet depending on how late the student applied. Attending the ceremony does not mean that the student has graduated. The commencement booklet refers to all students as "Candidates" which means that students might possibly earn their degree that year. The office of the Registrar will certify a student's graduation status after all final grades have been posted.
My major department plans to substitute or waive a major/pre-major/minor requirement(s), when should the department submit the request?
These memos should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar no later than one month prior to the graduation date. Ideally, these requests should be submitted shortly after the department has advised and discussed it with the student.
Why do I have a Registration Hold for Potential Graduate?
This negative service indicator is placed during a student's final semester to prevent the potential graduate from registering for any future term(s).
Can I choose to defer my graduation?
Yes, complete the Application to Defer Graduation form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar at least one week before the conferral date. Once processed, the Registration hold and any lists which identify students as a potential graduate will be removed.
What is the difference between graduation (conferral) and commencement?
Students graduate at the point where all the degree requirements are satisfied. There are four conferral terms a year; Winter (February), Spring (June), Summer (September), Fall (January).
Commencement is a ceremony held once a year for all candidates for graduation of that year. The commencement date is published in the Academic Calendar for the Spring semester.
When can I pick up my diploma?
Diplomas are generally mailed to the students' home address approximately two months after the degree conferral date. Once the diplomas have been ordered, then we will mail you a letter with the anticipated delivery date and location.
Can I pick up my diploma at the college?
Diplomas for ALL graduates will be mailed to the students' "Home Address" listed in CUNYfirst approximately two months after the degree conferral date. Once the diplomas have been ordered, Parchment (York's diploma vendor) will send an email to your preferred email address and text message (if your Mobile number is entered in CUNYfirst) with information on how to access your digital diploma. This email will also indicate that your printed diploma will ship within a few weeks from the date of the email.
Effective with the June 2020 graduating class, the diploma pick up option is no longer available.
I graduated prior to June 2020 and my diploma was shipped to the college due to personal request or financial hold, when can I pick up the diploma?
A student may submit a written request to the Office of the Registrar-Graduation Unit prior to the conferral date to have the diploma mailed to York and held for pick-up. A photo ID will be required at time of pickup.
While the Office of the Registrar remains closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, any former graduate can email the Office of the Registrar with a copy of their photo ID and specify a mailing address for the diploma to be shipped to (provided that there are no financial holds currently on your record at the time of request). We may be able to mail your diploma the next time that a staff member visits the campus.
I graduated and have not received my diploma, who can I contact?
Recent graduates must wait at least 2 months for delivery of their diploma. If the diploma has not been received two months after your graduation date, then please contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@york.cuny.edu.
Can I pick up my diploma if I have hold(s) on my account?
No. Negative service indicators (bursar, financial aid, and library) will prevent the student from picking up the diploma. If the negative service indicators are not resolved, the Office of the Registrar will hold onto the student's diploma for 10 years.
When can I request a letter of completion?
Once all student grades have been posted in the system, students can formally request a letter of completion from the Office of the Registrar. These requests can take up to 5 business days for processing so plan accordingly. Certification letters with the degree posted on it are typically available within 3 weeks of the graduation date.
When can I request a transcript?
The order can be placed online using Transcript Plus. When placing the order, be sure to select "Hold for Degree" to prevent the transcript from being printed until after the degree is posted. Transcripts with the degree posted on it are typically available within 3 weeks after the graduation date.
I lost my diploma, how can I order a duplicate copy?
Students should complete an application for duplicate diploma.
A Photo ID and a written request indicating the reason for the request will be required. These documents should be uploaded to the York College Secure Document Portal. Instruction on how to submit the complete application on the Portal can be found on the Office of the Registrar webpage.
The Bursar's Office will add a $30 fee per duplicate diploma requested to your account. Payment will be made online through your CUNYfirst Student Center Account.
How can I order a duplicate diploma with my current legal name?
Students must complete the Personal Data Change Form and upload the necessary supporting documentation to the York College Secure Document Portal. After you receive confirmation from the Office of the Registrar that the name was updated in CUNYfirst, then you can submit the "Duplicate Diploma" form.
Registration
When does Registration begin and end for each term?
Please review the Academic Calendar.
How can I register for my classes on CUNYfirst?
Step 1:Go to York.cuny.edu
Step 2: Click on "Current Students" on the upper right-hand corner and then select "CUNYfirst""
Step 2: Sign onto your CUNYfirst account
Step 3: Select "Search for Classes" on the upper right-hand corner
Step 4: Make sure "Institution" is York College and "Term" is the semester you wish to take classes
When I register for my courses online, I keep getting error messages, what should I do?
Please view the snapshots below:
Scenario 1: Student's may receive a message informing them that they do not meet the requirements for certain course(s).
Resolution: Student have not taken the requisites needed to register.
Scenario 2: Student's repeating a course after a certain amount of times may receive the error message below.
Resolution: Student should visit the Office of the Registrar for more assistance.
Scenario 3: Student attempting to register for a course requiring department consent.
Resolution: Student should visit the department for consent to be entered in CUNYFirst.
Scenario 4: Student's registering for a closed section will receive the following error message.
Resolution: Student should visit the department to request class permission.
How do I know when courses are closed on CUNYfirst?
On the registration page, students will find a legend informing them of sections that are open, closed or if you need to waitlist. Below is the legend:
Can I register for classes, if I have "Hold(s)" on my account?
There are certain "Negative Service" indicators (holds) that can prevent students from registering for their classes. Below are some Negative indicators that can prevent students from registering:
- Students with negative service indicators will notice a red icon at the top of their student services page. Students with negative service indicators should review their "Holds" on their Student Center page.Student reviewing their holds will see one or more items listed, such as the example below. Keep in mind students who attended other CUNY schools will see holds from their prior institution:
2. Student reviewing their holds will see one or more items listed, such as the example below. Keep in mind students who attended other CUNY schools will see holds from their prior institution:
3.If students want more information pertaining to their hold, they can click on the active blue links under the "Hold Item" column and review their hold and know which office they can speak to. Below is an example of what students will see:
I would like to re-take a course, is this possible?
Yes. If a student has passed a course(s) and want to re-take the course(s) for a better grade, they can re-take the course(s). Students will not receive credit for re-taking the course. However, both grades will always appear on the student's transcript and computed into the cumulative GPA. In addition, if receiving financial aid, you should inquire how re-taking course(s) can impact aid.
How do I add courses to my shopping cart?
Please follow the steps to get your courses onto the shopping cart.
If I place my courses in the shopping cart, does that guarantee that I have a seat in the class?
No. Students adding courses into their shopping cart has not secured a seat for classes. Placing the courses in the shopping cart simply assists students with knowing which course, section, time and date they want to take the for the semester.
How do I swap courses?
Please follow the steps in order to swap course(s). Please check the Academic Calendar for deadlines to swap each term without being charged.
How can I drop my courses?
Please follow the steps in order to drop the course(s). Please check the Academic Calendar for refund period.
When do I register for classes?
Students can register on their assigned enrollment appointment date and time. The enrollment appointment will be on the students CUNYfirst account, in "Student Services Center".
