Institutional Degree Requirements

Introduction

York College is dedicated to serving the needs of its students by providing a quality learning experience that prepares graduates for productive roles in society. At York, we believe the collegiate experience for students should both facilitate intellectual and personal growth, and encourage the development of lifelong learning skills. In support of this philosophy, the College offers a program of studies that provides over 50 degree options in baccalaureate disciplines, plus associate degree and minor programs.

For students pursuing a program of study at York College, the catalog is the official guide to the academic standards, policies, and procedures of the institution. It provides essential information and should be used regularly in working with the student’s academic advisor. While academic advisors and other staff make every effort to be conscientious and informed, the student has a personal responsibility for ensuring that all graduation standards and requirements will be met during their program of study.

The information contained in this catalog applies to individuals entering York College of Pennsylvania in the academic years for which the general catalog is dated. The material in the Academic Standards section clarifies the academic standards, policies, and procedures in effect at the time of publication. Admission to and attendance at the College are conditional upon compliance with these regulations. Additional information regarding academic matters is available through the Academic Affairs Office, the Academic Advising Center, and the Registrar’s Office.

Students are required to complete the program of study as outlined in the catalog in effect at the time of their admission to that program of study. Although this catalog was prepared on the basis of the best information available at the time of publication, the College reserves the right to change any provisions, regulations, or requirements set forth within, without notice or obligation.

Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Specific requirements and recommended curricula for each baccalaureate degree program are described in the Programs of Study  section of this catalog. The general requirements for earning a baccalaureate degree at York College, which apply to all departmental bachelor’s degree programs, are:

1. Successful completion of matriculation in a specific academic program and at least 120 credit hours. Total credit hours required may exceed 120 depending on the specific program of study.
2. Successful completion of the College’s residence requirement which states that the last 30 of these credit hours must be earned at York College. All study abroad programs approved by the College fall within the residency requirement and will be accepted as part of the final 30 credit hours of a student’s coursework.
3. Successful completion of the First Year Seminar, Foundations, Disciplinary Perspectives, and Constellation areas of the General Education requirements. A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for First Year Seminar and all courses taken as part of Foundations. Courses used to complete General Education Requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis. 
4. Achievement of a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. In certain programs of study, a higher minimum grade point average may be required for degree completion.
5. Successful completion of the designated program requirements for a specific program of study and achievement of the appropriate grade point average in the program of study as specified by the departmental curriculum in the Programs of Study  section of this catalog.
6. Students completing a second York College Baccalaureate Degree are not required to repeat the General Education requirements.

Associate Degree Requirements

Specific requirements and recommended curricula for each degree program are described in the Programs of Study  section of this catalog. The general requirements for earning an associate degree at York College, which apply to all departmental associate degree programs, are:

1. Successful completion of matriculation in a specific academic program and at least 60 credit hours. Total credit hours required may exceed 60 depending on the specific program of study.
2. Successful completion of the College’s residence requirement which states that the last 30 of these credit hours must be earned at York College. All study abroad programs approved by the College fall within the residency requirement and will be accepted as part of the final 30 credit hours of a student’s coursework.
3. Successful completion of the First Year Seminar, Foundations, and Disciplinary Perspectives areas of the General Education requirements. A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for First Year Seminar and all courses taken as part of Foundations. Courses used to complete General Education Requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis. 
4. Achievement of a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. In certain programs of study, a higher minimum grade point average may be required for degree completion.
5. Successful completion of the designated program requirements of a specific program of study and achievement of the appropriate grade point average in the program of study as specified by the departmental curriculum in the Programs of Study  section of this catalog.
6. Students completing an associate degree are not required to complete a Constellation.

Academic Minors

Minors are academic credentials earned by students in an area other than their major. To complete a minor, a student must complete a minimum of 15 credits, which may include both upper- and lower-division courses as defined by the specific requirements of the department offering the minor.

All students completing a minor must earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in these designated courses, and take a minimum of nine credits of coursework in the minor at York College to have their minor appear on their transcript. Students may not complete a minor following graduation.

Students may choose from the following minors:

Detailed information about each individual minor and the course requirements are located within the Programs of Study.  Major and minor combinations should be reviewed in the process of declaring a major or adding a minor. See the YCP Registrar’s Office page for more information.