Graduation Requirements and Awards

• Graduation Requirements
• Filing for Graduation
• Writing Intensive Course
• Civic Engagement
• Annual Awards
• Academic Awards
• Special Awards

Graduation Requirements

To satisfy the requirements for the associate degree a variety of requirements must be satisfied.  Eligibility for graduation requires the completion of one of the programs of study as outlined within the Academic Programs section of this catalog.  Some departments also require a minimum grade point average for specific courses, refer to the Academic Program and Course Description sections of this catalog.

In general, the requirements include:

1. College Requirements

   1. English and Math proficient as determined by the CUNY Proficiency Index, unless otherwise exempt, or successful completion of any required developmental course(s).

   2. Writing Intensive Course - One (1) course

   3. Civic Engagement - One (1) Civic Engagement experience

2. CUNY Common Core Pathways

   1. Required Core - Depending on the major, courses in English Composition, Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning, and Life and Physical Sciences

   2. Flexible Core - Depending on the major, courses in World Cultures and Global Issues, U.S. Experience in its Diversity, Creative Expression, Individual and Society, and Scientific World

3. Requirements of the Major and Elective Credits
   Specified courses as required for the major by the academic department for each degree program as well as any electives

4. Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
   A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 on Degree and Certificate programs

5. Matriculated Status
   Must be matriculated during the last term of attendance at Kingsborough

6. Residency
   30 credits must be completed in residency at Kingsborough

7. Minimum Credits for the Degree
   A minimum of 60 credits is required for all degree programs. However, some programs require additional credits. Consult this catalog for credit information on each major.

Note:

Some degree programs may have their own grade regulations for course enrollment and/or continuation in the program. A review of degree requirements occurs during registration and advisement and can be verified on the Student Advisement Degree Audit.

Students can review their progress towards graduation on-line anytime by checking the Student Advisement Degree Audit by accessing https://www.kbcc.cuny.edu/registrar/degree_works.html

Filing for Graduation

Each of the three graduation filing periods (for an August, January, or June degree) has a deadline. In order to graduate and be issued a diploma, all students must file an application for graduation by the filing period deadline listed on the Academic Calendar so their records can be reviewed. The student must be matriculated during their last term of attendance at Kingsborough Community College. Students cannot matriculate for the winter or summer modules. An online application, via CUNYfirst, is available only to students currently enrolled. To file online, once the filing period opens, go to CUNYfirst, Academics, Student Center. 

Note:

Winter coursework does not count towards a January degree nor does Summer coursework count towards a June degree.  Module courses always count forward to the next degree filing period.  For example, students enrolled in the Winter Module will file for June graduation, students enrolled in the Summer Module will file for August graduation. 

In order to receive a Kingsborough degree, a student is required to have completed the final 30 credits toward that degree while enrolled at Kingsborough (in residency). Where one or more credit-bearing courses to be included in this sum are to be earned at another institution, prior permission must be obtained from the Committee on Academic Review. Each request for permission will be considered case-by-case on the merits of the individual circumstances. No permission will be granted if the total of the course credits result in less than 30 Kingsborough credits completed for the degree.

A graduate whose cumulative grade point average is between 3.50 and 4.00 shall be graduated with honors. The term “With Honors” will be inscribed on the student’s diploma and noted in the commencement program.

Writing Intensive Courses

Many faculty across Kingsborough teach courses that are designated “Writing Intensive.” Faculty who teach these courses recognize that writing about texts we’ve read is the best way to process our thinking about those texts. That is, writing about texts helps us generate, evaluate, and clarify our thinking and recognize where texts are confusing, biased, unclear, and so on. To help students recognize how crucial writing is to the processing of their thinking, Kingsborough implemented a policy whereby students who entered Kingsborough or changed their major in or after Fall 2010 must complete at least one (1) Writing Intensive course before graduation. While there are a variety of options for fulfilling the Writing Intensive requirement, because students might need more time to write about the texts they read in class, Writing Intensive sections are only offered in the Fall and Spring sessions (12-week semester).

To find the courses in all the different departments that are designated as Writing Intensive follow these steps:

• Log on to CUNYfirst
• Select Search for Classes
• Select the Institution from the drop-down menu (i.e., Kingsborough CC)
• Select the Term from the drop-down menu in which you are looking for a Writing Intensive course. 
• Select the Course Attribute drop-down menu and choose Writing Intensive
• Select the Course Attribute Value drop-down menu and choose Writing intensive
• Keep the box labeled Show Open Classes Only checked 
• Finally, click the Search button - the list that results from your search includes all of the writing intensive courses available in the term that you chose

Writing Intensive courses are available in many departments. The key is to look at what courses you need to complete your degree and then enroll in a Writing Intensive course section that satisfies one (1) of your degree requirements. 

Civic Engagement

Kingsborough accepts as a fundamental principle that education requires social awareness, an acceptance of social responsibility and active participation in meeting the challenges of a modern society. Through civic engagement, we recognize our mutual responsibility to care for each other in the college, in our communities, and on our planet. This responsibility may be accomplished through political activity, community service, engagement in leadership roles, advocacy, or becoming informed on issues that relate to social change. Therefore, civic engagement at Kingsborough seeks to foster civic awareness while providing the skills needed for our students to actively participate in their communities.

Civic Engagement Learning Outcomes

Civic Engagement consists of three domains – Political Knowledge, Civic Knowledge, and Social Responsibility.  Below are the definitions for each domain and their accompanying Course Embedded Learning Outcomes:

Civic Engagement Assessment

The common assessment measure for all civic engagement experiences is a reflective essay with an accompanying rubric.

How Students Will Satisfy the Civic Engagement Requirement

Beginning Fall 2019, students are required to have a minimum of one (1) civic engagement experience before graduation. No additional courses are needed to fulfill this requirement. Please see an academic advisor before registering. There are three ways to satisfy this requirement:

1. Certified Civic Engagement (CE) Course
   Certain courses required for the major, and/or to fulfill the CUNY Core, include civic engagement as essential and integral to their learning outcomes. In such a course, a student must pass the course to satisfy one of their CE experiences. These courses are indicated on CUNYfirst.  
2. Component Civic Engagement (CE) Course
   A portion of some courses’ contents—particular topics, chapters, activities, field trips—is devoted to civic engagement. Such a course offers students an opportunity to link academic concepts and a commitment to the community. 
3. Non-Course Related Civic Engagement (CE)
   Students who wish to satisfy a civic engagement experience independent of a Kingsborough course must obtain prior approval. Non-course-related experiences will be publicized as they become available. *Please note that this option is currently ONLY available for select non-course related experiences such as Service Learning opportunities (for further information go to https://www.kbcc.cuny.edu/service_learning/home.html ) or participation in campus events such as ECO-Fest.

​All of the above options go through a Civic Engagement Certification process.  For additional information concerning Civic Engagement, visit https://www.kbcc.cuny.edu/civic_engagement/Homepage.html; for certification please visit: https://www.kbcc.cuny.edu/aa/forms.html

Annual Awards

Annual awards are given to graduating students who achieve academic excellence in their various disciplines, and to students who give outstanding service to the college through student government and other student activities. The Faculty Committee on Awards administers the annual Awards Program. The Awards Ceremony is part of the two-day Commencement Exercises at Kingsborough and is usually held in the evening before Commencement. Families and friends of the awardees are invited to the annual Awards Ceremony to share in the celebration of the students’ success.

The Faculty Committee on Awards also selects the valedictorian. All students who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 4.00 and have no more than 12 transfer credits accepted to Kingsborough are invited to audition for the valedictorian speech.

For students who are graduating and beginning to apply to four-year colleges, speak with your Academic Advisor for information on transfer scholarship opportunities offered by four-year colleges.

Honors and Phi Theta Kappa students are urged to contact the Honor’s House in M-377 or call 718-368-5365 for prestigious scholarships.

Academic Awards

For information about Academic Awards, contact the Department Chair that is presenting the award.

Department of Allied Health, Mental Health and Human Services:

Department of Art:

Department of Behavioral Sciences:

Department of Biological Sciences:

Department of Business:

Department of Communications and Performing Arts:

Department of English:

Department of World Languages and Cultures:

Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation:

Department of History, Philosophy and Political Science:

Department of Mathematics and Computer Science:

Department of Nursing:

Department of Physical Sciences:

Department of Student Development:

Department of Tourism and Hospitality:

Other:

Special Awards

For information about Special Awards, contact the Executive Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid.

Student Services Awards:

Special Service Awards: