Academic Standards, Policies and Procedures
Standards for the Completion of Remedial and ESOL courses:
The timely completion of remedial and college English as a Second Language (ESOL) courses is essential for student access to and success in the major department and liberal arts and sciences core courses required by their degree program. For this reason, the College and CUNY place limitations on the number of semesters within which students are permitted to complete these preparatory courses. Students are strongly urged to enroll in summer and intersession courses to shorten the time required to complete remedial and ESOL coursework.
1. Students are permitted a maximum of two attempts to complete or advance from each required remedial reading, writing, mathematics or ESOL course. USIP, summer and inter-session courses, are not counted in this limitation.
2. The CUNY Board of Trustees resolution phasing out remedial coursework at CUNY Senior Colleges permits college English as a Second Language (ESOL) students who are not otherwise remedial to enter baccalaureate programs. Such students would have:
a. studied in a high school in which the language of instruction was not English and
b. achieved exemption from mathematics skill testing
ESOL students who fulfill these conditions may be admitted into baccalaureate programs. ESOL students who “are otherwise not remedial” in baccalaureate programs must take the CUNY ACT in reading and writing for placement and must pass these tests within two years (including the summer preceding and following two consecutive academic years). ESOL students in baccalaureate programs that fail to pass these tests within two years will not be permitted to progress towards a bachelor’s degree. The student may continue in an associate degree program.
3. Students who do not complete remedial or ESOL courses within the limits described in statement 1 above will be placed on academic probation after the first unsuccessful attempt and will be dismissed from the college after the second unsuccessful attempt at the same course. Further information on academic dismissal and the appeal of academic dismissal follows.
Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Minimum Cumulative Grade Point
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average greater than or equal to the following minimums:
Credits Attempted Minimum Cumulative GPA
0 to 12 1.50
12.5 to 24 1.75
24.5 or above 2.00
Academic Alert
1. Students will be placed on academic alert at the end of a semester if, for the first time during their first 18 attempted credits/ equated credits of coursework, they fail to meet the college’s minimum cumulative GPA standard. Academic alert is provided only once during a student’s college career.
2. Students who meet the college’s minimum cumulative GPA standard at the end of the academic alert semester will be removed from academic alert.
3. Students who do not meet the college’s minimum cumulative GPA standard at the end of the academic alert semester will be placed on academic probation.
Academic Probation
1. Students not on academic probation will be placed on academic probation at the end of a semester if they fail to meet the college’s minimum cumulative GPA standard and are no longer eligible for academic alert.
2. Students on academic probation who meet the college’s minimum cumulative GPA standard at the end of the academic probation semester will be removed from academic probation.
3. Students on academic probation who fail to meet the college’s minimum cumulative GPA standard at the end of the academic probation semester, yet complete all courses that semester with a semester grade point average of 2.25 or higher, will be allowed to remain on academic probation for an additional semester.
4. Students on academic probation who fail to attain either the minimum cumulative GPA standard or the semester grade point average of 2.25 at the end of the academic probation semester will be dismissed from the college. Also see “Academic Dismissal” and “Appeal of Academic Dismissal” at the end of this section.
Honors
Outstanding scholastic achievement merits inclusion on the Dean’s Honor List which is determined each fall and spring for full-time students and each spring for part-time students. To be included on the Dean’s Honor List, a student must be CUNY proficient in reading, writing and mathematics and achieve a GPA of 3.5 or higher with no failures, incompletes, “R,” “WU,” “WF” or “WN” grades. Eligibility for Dean’s Honor List will be based on the official grades recorded for the semester.
Full-time students must complete a minimum of 12 credits of quality grades in a semester to be eligible for inclusion on the Dean’s Honor List. Part-time students who complete a minimum of 12 credits as part-time students in one academic year (September-June) are eligible for inclusion. Achievement of Dean’s Honor List is publicized and recorded on the student’s transcript.
When an institutional error such as a “Z” (no recorded grade) is removed from a student record, the student’s GPA will be recomputed and the record corrected. If thereby qualified, the student’s name will be placed on the Dean’s Honor List.
A student who has acquired 15-60 credits with a GPA of 3.5 or better will be invited to join the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
At graduation, associate degree program candidates who have completed at least 30 credits in residence at City Tech; 15 must be in the major department and also achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 3.30 upon their successful completion of the previous fall semester will graduate with associate honors.
Baccalaureate degree program candidates who have completed at least 60 credits in residence at City Tech, and also based upon their successful completion of the previous fall semester, will graduate with baccalaureate honors as follows:
summa cum laude – a cumulative GPA of 3.80-4.00
magna cum laude – a cumulative GPA of 3.50-3.79
cum laude – a cumulative GPA of 3.25-3.49
Honors Scholars Program
The Honors Scholars Program at City Tech provides an exciting opportunity for students who have completed at least 16 credits with a GPA of 3.4 or better. Students who are part of our honors “community” may participate in special activities such as seminars, field trips, social events, research opportunities with faculty members, and enhanced coursework for prestigious honors credit.
Independent Student
Independent study is a learning experience that allows for self-directed study relating to an area of academic or professional experience. Key elements of the course include critical analysis, application or development of ideas and concepts related to the area of inquiry and guidance by a faculty mentor. An eligible student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher, have earned a minimum of 30 credits*, and have completed an introductory course or sequence in the area of inquiry. Visit the forms section of the College website at http://www. citytech.cuny.edu/registrar/important-forms. aspx and download an application. In the semester prior to the commencement of the independent study, identify and meet with a faculty mentor to discuss and formalize the idea. Submit a completed and signed (by a faculty mentor and student) application form with supporting documents to the school dean prior to the registration deadline for the semester of study. Honors Scholars and students interested in research are encouraged to apply.
Note: The course is offered for variable credit of 1-3 credits (3-9 independent study hours per week). An eligible student may enroll in this course a limit of two times. The student must have earned a minimum of 30 credits prior to the first Independent Study 9010 and 90 credits prior to a second Independent Study 9010.
Transfer Credit
With some limitations, students may be granted credit for courses completed at other accredited colleges and universities that offer courses comparable in credit and content to those offered at NYCCT, provided satisfactory grades were received (i.e., “D” or better at any other CUNY unit; “C” or better at other institutions).
If a course was taken on a pass/fail basis at another CUNY institution, the official transcript or catalog contract year must state that the passing grade equals a “D” or better for transfer credit to be considered. If a course was taken on a pass/fail basis at an institution outside CUNY, the official transcript or catalog contract year must state that the passing grade equals a “C” or better for transfer credit to be considered.
This excludes coursework from outside of the United States. To earn an associate degree and qualify for associate honors at City Tech, students must complete a minimum of 34 credits in residence; 17 must be in the major department. The remaining credits needed to complete the degree may be transferred, provided they are approved for credit by NYCCT. Prospective transfer students can get a first approximation of the transfer credits they can expect by using the tools found in CUNYfirst’s Student Center under “evaluate My Transfer Credit.”
To receive credit for courses taken at other accredited colleges and universities, students must have official transcripts on file in the registrar’s office. Student copies will not be accepted. All foreign language transcripts must be accompanied by a notarized affidavit attesting to the accuracy of the English translation. When credit is granted from another institution, the grade does not generate quality points toward the cumulative grade point average.
Use the “Transfer Appeal Form” if you feel that you have not received the full transfer credit to which you are entitled. If this appeal does not resolve the issue, you can appeal directly to CUNY by clicking here.
Second-Degree Students
A student who has already received an associate or bachelor’s degree from NYCCT will receive credit toward the second degree for all applicable courses successfully completed at NYCCT. A student in continuous attendance may simply apply for a change of curriculum. If there is a break in the student’s attendance at the college, however, a readmit application must be filed for a second- degree status.
Alternative Modes of Satisfying Degree Requirements
Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board (AP)/International Baccalaureate (IP) Exam
City Tech grants credit and appropriate advanced placement to students who have taken college-level courses in secondary school and scored 3 or higher on an AP examination or 5 or higher on an IB higher-level exam. The college will award 30 credits to students who have completed an IB diploma with a score of 30 or higher. Official transcripts must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Check with the relevant department or with the Office of the Registrar for more information.
College-Level Examination Program at the College Entrance Examination Board (CLEP).
The College grants credit to students who score at or above the mean scores for “C” students on the CLEP national norms in several areas, including some of the courses in mathematics, natural sciences, social science and history.
Course equivalents, credits to be granted and required scores for CLEP examinations will be determined by the department in which similar subjects are offered.
Examinations Administered by City Tech
In some departments, students can also earn credit by successfully completing examinations which are offered for certain courses. These examinations are consistent with the objectives and syllabi of the courses. Eligibility criteria and the nature, content and grading of each examination are determined by the departmental faculty and must be approved by the provost.
Before you take any examination other than one of those listed above, check with the registrar’s office to see if you will be granted credit.
Exemption from Required Courses
In rare cases, students may be exempt from a required course if the skill or knowledge gained through previous academic work or other appropriate experience indicates that attending such a course is unnecessary. In order to receive an exemption, students must file an exemption request form directly with the appropriate department. Requests for exemption must be substantiated by letters from employers or other organizations attesting to the nature of the experience. Students may also sometimes be granted an exemption on the basis of coursework completed for which credit cannot be allowed. In every case, however, exemption from a course will be granted only after students demonstrate suitable proficiency in that course by completing an examination given by the department offering the course and approved by the provost.
You must substitute an equal number of elective credits when the granting of the exemption results in earning fewer than 60 credits towards the associate degree or fewer than 120 credits toward the bachelor of science, bachelor of science in education or bachelor of technology degree. Without these elective credits, you will not meet the basic New York State requirements for an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree.
Alternate Format Advanced Standing
Alternate Format Advanced Standing applies to adults who have been out of high school for at least five years, have a high school diploma or GED, and are eligible for advanced standing degree-credits that may be granted for relevant work and life experience. This opportunity is available in selected curricula. To apply, please meet with the appropriate department to discuss your eligibility. Advanced standing credits granted via Alternate Format must be certified during the first semester of a student’s attendance.