Requirements for Degree Completion

TIME REQUIREMENTS

Full-time students must complete all requirements for their degree within four years from the original date of matriculation; part-time students must complete all requirements within eight years from the original date of matriculation. After the period expires, students must reapply through Admissions and have their credentials reevaluated. Courses taken 10 or more years ago are subject to reevaluation and must be approved by the appropriate department chair or academic dean in order for students to receive credit toward their degree.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE

To qualify for the Associate in Applied Science degree, candidates must be matriculated (officially admitted to degree status); satisfactorily complete the credit and course requirements prescribed for their majors, related areas, and General Education; achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 for all work completed; receive the recommendation of the faculty; and submit a graduation application.

For more specific course requirements, consult the Degree Programs and FIT's General Education requirements.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACCALAUREATE DEGREE

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, students must be matriculated (officially admitted to degree status); satisfactorily complete the credit and course requirements prescribed for their majors, related areas, General Education, and Liberal Arts; achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 for all work completed; receive the recommendation of the faculty; and submit a graduation application. 

For specific course requirements, consult the major pages and FIT's General Education requirements.

OVERALL BACHELOR'S DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

FIT's 2+2 degree structure requires an earned AAS or equivalent plus all the BS or BFA degree requirements. 
This structure includes the following overall bachelor's degree graduation requirements:
  • 120–126 total earned credits 

  • 30 credits in General Education credits approved by the State University of New York (SUNY)

BS degrees New York State guidelines:

  • 60 credits in liberal arts

  • 60–62 credits in major and related area, including a minimum of 24 credits in 300- to 400-level major and related area coursework

BFA degrees NASAD and New York State guidelines:

  • 12 credits art/design history

  • 30 credits in Liberal Arts/General Studies

  • 78–84 credits in major and related area, including a minimum of 24 credits in 300- to 400-level major and related area coursework

MATRICULATION STATUS POLICY

Nonmatriculated students (i.e., students enrolled in at least one course but not admitted into a degree program) seeking admission to a two-year associate or baccalaureate degree program at FIT should note the following:

  • No more than 30 credits taken at FIT in nonmatriculated status may be applied to a two-year associate or baccalaureate degree.

Nonmatriculated students seeking admission to a one-year associate degree program should note the following:

  • No more than 15 credits taken at FIT in nonmatriculated status may be applied to a one-year associate degree.

FIT RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

To earn a two-year associate degree, students must complete at FIT a minimum of 30 credits as required by the major.

To earn a one-year associate degree, students must complete at FIT a minimum of 30 credits as required by the major.

To earn a baccalaureate degree, students must complete at FIT a minimum of 60 credits as required by the major. However, if students have already earned an appropriate FIT associate degree, they must complete at FIT a minimum of 30 upper-division credits as required by the major.

At least 50 percent of the major and related-area coursework must be taken in residence at FIT.

OFFICIAL WITHDRAWAL

The official withdrawal procedure applies to all full- and part-time degree students leaving the college and withdrawing from all classes and is processed by the Registrar's Office. Complying with the official procedure ensures that student records are maintained in good order and will facilitate readmission to FIT or expedite sending transcripts to other schools. Title IV recipients must have an exit interview with the financial aid office before withdrawal. Specific procedures are available online on the Registrar's website: fitnyc.edu/registrar/withdrawal.