Graduation Requirements

All students working toward a baccalaureate (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science) degree must meet the following basic requirements for graduation: 

Baccalaureate Degree Requirements defined by New York State, in meeting the requirements of the Rules of the Board of Regents:  

1. Satisfactory completion of a minimum 120 semester credit hours. 
2. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.00. 
3. Completion of major requirements with a GPA of at least 2.00.  Note: some degree programs require a higher GPA for completion of major requirements. 
4. A minimum of 90 liberal arts and sciences (LAS) credits is required for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. A minimum of 90 liberal arts and sciences (LAS) credits is required for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. 

Baccalaureate Degree Requirements defined by Keuka College: 

1. Completion of at least 30 semester credit hours at Keuka College. 
2. Students must complete the final 30 semester credit hours required for the degree at Keuka College*. 
3. Successful completion of all Compass Curriculum (i.e., general education) requirements as indicated in the student’s degree audit and catalog year**.  
4. Successful completion of all major courses with at least the minimum grade required, as specified by the major. 
5. Completion of at least 12 credits in the student’s major in courses at the 300-level or above. 
6. Completion of one laboratory science course. 
7. Satisfactory completion of one Field Period® for each 30 Keuka College credits required for degree completion. No more than four Field Periods® may count toward the total number of required credits for graduation; online students should review their individual program for Field Period® requirements. 

*Students participating in a 3+3 or 3+4 transfer articulation agreement are exempt from criteria #2 from the Keuka College section. 

** Transfer students with earned associate or bachelor's degrees may have been awarded a waiver for the Compass Curriculum requirements. See the Transfer Credit and Evaluation policy.  

Graduate Degree Requirements defined by New York State, in meeting the requirements of the Rules of the Board of Regents:  

1. Completion of a minimum of 30 semester credit hours 
2. Completion of the passing of a comprehensive test, writing a thesis based on independent research, or completing an appropriate special project.  

Graduate Degree Requirements defined by Keuka College: 

1. Of the required 30 semester credit hours, at least 27 of those credits must be earned at Keuka College. 
2. Completion of program requirements as specified by the division. 
3. Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.00, with no grade lower than a C+, unless otherwise specified by the major. 

Both undergraduate and graduate students are ultimately responsible for ensuring that all degree requirements are satisfactorily met. As such, students’ regular consultation with academic advisors and the Office of Records and Registration is strongly encouraged. 

Degree Conferral 

Students who have pending degree requirements will not have their degrees conferred until all degree requirements have been met through institutional or transfer credit. Students completing their final degree requirements through transfer credit must provide Keuka College with an official transcript when their final coursework has been completed.  

Degrees are conferred on the last day of each month by the Office of Records and Registration. The conferral date cannot be backdated.