Advising Center

Students who are interested in studying at another campus as a visiting student, either in the United States or abroad, must receive approval in advance of an academic leave of absence. Please refer to Off-Campus Study for detailed information, including eligibility and the approval process.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS)

1. Earn a minimum of 120 credits. Of the 120 credits, a minimum number of credits in the liberal arts are required: 90 for the BA, 60 for the BS. A total of 45 credits must be earned in upper-level (3000- or 4000-level) courses. A maximum of 4 physical education credits may be applied toward the degree.
2. Complete a minimum of 60 credits outside the student’s major.
3. Complete the General Education requirements.
4. Complete all requirements for the major.
5. Earn a minimum 2.0 (C) cumulative GPA at Purchase College.
6. Complete the health and wellness requirement. (minimum of one credit of physical education).

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Bachelor of Music (MusB)

1. Earn a minimum of 120 credits.
2. Complete the General Education requirements.
3. Complete all requirements for the major.*
4. Earn a minimum 2.0 (C) cumulative GPA at Purchase College.
5. Complete the health and wellness requirement. (minimum of one credit of physical education). 

*The specific number of credits required for each performing and visual arts major is listed under each major’s academic requirements.

After an instructor has submitted a student’s grade to the Office of the Registrar, the grade may be changed only with the approval of the instructor.

1. If there has been a clerical error or if the student believes that the grade received is inaccurate, the student should discuss the grade with the instructor.
    
2. After consulting with the instructor, if the student has further questions regarding the grade, the student should discuss them with their school director.  The director may, if appropriate, arrange a discussion with the instructor. However, the final grade is the prerogative of the instructor.
    
3. If a grade dispute involves an instructor who is no longer a member of the Purchase College faculty, the school director may adjudicate the matter.
    
4. In exceptional cases, grades may be changed up to six months after the completion of a given semester. No grade changes are accepted after this date.

Students who have not declared a major are strongly encouraged to meet with a staff member in the Advising Center for guidance in selecting a major. By the time students have completed 45 credits, they are expected to choose a major. Forms for declaring a major are available in the Office of the Registrar.

For related information, please refer to:
Internal Transfer: Policy and Procedures
Double Major

Students in a BA or BS program who seek a double major may do so by meeting the following requirements:

1. Complete one senior thesis or senior project, approved by both boards of study.
2. Have the program requirements for each major approved by both boards of study.

Students pursuing two bachelor’s degrees at Purchase College (e.g., a BA and a BFA) should refer to Two Bachelor’s Degrees From Purchase.

The minimum full-time semester workload is 12 credits for undergraduate students and 9 credits for graduate students. Certain forms of federal, state, and institutional financial aid require full-time status by the end of the add/drop period. Only full-time students are permitted to live on campus.

Overload Approval

To receive overload approval for a given semester, approval must be obtained from the appropriate assigned advisor:

1. students in the performing arts BFA and MusB programs who wish to register for more than 22 credits (a maximum of 30 credits is allowed each semester); and
2. students in all other undergraduate degree programs who wish to register for more than 18 credits (a maximum of 24 credits is allowed each semester).

Part-Time Status

Undergraduate students who pursue fewer than 12 credits (and graduate students who pursue fewer than 9 credits) per semester have part-time status. Part-time matriculated students meet the same admission and degree requirements as full-time matriculated students. Students who wish to pursue part-time studies should consult with the chair or director and department faculty to determine whether a part-time program is available.

Nonmatriculated, Winter Session, and Summer Session Students

Course Load and Overload

• During the academic year (fall and spring semesters), nonmatriculated students may take a maximum of 18 credits each semester without special permission.
• Overloads are not permitted in winter session. Given the intensive pace of winter session courses, all students are limited to a maximum of 4 credits—no exceptions.
• During summer session, all students may enroll for a maximum of 12 credits across the four summer sessions. Limits within the sessions are as follows: a maximum of 4 credits in the online Session I and a maximum of 8 credits in Sessions II, III, and IV combined.

Matriculated students in a BA or BS program who wish to transfer into a BFA or MusB program should contact the office of the director of their intended program. Likewise, BFA and MusB students who wish to transfer into a BA or BS program should contact the office of the chair or director of their intended program. (Nonmatriculated students who wish to enroll in a degree-granting program at Purchase must follow regular admission procedures.)

1. The student will be given an internal transfer application. Deadlines for internal transfer applications vary from program to program; however, all applications must be completed and submitted at least six weeks before a semester begins.
    
2. The student is then advised, when applicable, about the audition, interview, and/or portfolio requirements of the intended program and the procedure for completing those requirements. The student should also be advised about the nature of the program and any implications regarding transfer credit.

1. Students who are granted a leave at the end of a semester are responsible for finishing any incomplete work before the deadline for resolution of incomplete (I) grades (refer to the academic calendar).
2. Students on leaves of absence who are later found to be in academic difficulty will have their academic records reviewed by the Academic Review Committee (ARC). When warranted, the ARC may place a student on probation or take other appropriate action.
3. Students on leaves of absence may take coursework elsewhere as a nonmatriculated student, but cannot be guaranteed that Purchase credit will be given for that work unless specific arrangements are made in advance. (Please refer to Off-Campus Study for additional information.)
4. Academic dismissal will supersede any leave of absence.
5. Campus housing is limited and is not guaranteed for students returning from leaves of absence. For specific information related to on-campus housing, please email or call the Office of Residential and Student Life, ceg@purchase.edu, (914) 251-6320.
6. Taking a leave of absence will affect the repayment of educational loans and disbursements of student aid funds. Students who receive financial aid and/or have taken out educational loans must consult with the Office of Student Financial Services, (914) 251-6080, before taking a leave of absence.
7. Students on leaves of absence who do not return to the college at the agreed-upon time are administratively withdrawn as of the term that the return was to have taken effect. To return to Purchase College, students who have been administratively withdrawn must submit an Application for Readmission to the Office of the Registrar. Readmission, however, is not guaranteed.

Students in good standing may apply to the Office of the Registrar for a personal leave of absence. Applications must be submitted before the last day to withdraw from a course with a grade of W (refer to the academic calendar).

Leaves are normally not granted for first-year students, and seniors are advised not to interrupt their studies. When granted, a leave is usually for a maximum of two semesters. Permission to take a personal leave of absence includes the right to return without additional notification.

Students at Purchase are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress and to progress towards timely degree completion and graduation. Among the requirements for graduation, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. At the close of each semester all grades are processed, and the student’s semester GPA and cumulative GPA are then used to determine whether the student is in good academic standing. A student who is not in good academic standing will be issued either an academic warning, placed on academic probation, or dismissed from the college. Only grades earned at Purchase are used in determining academic warning, probation or dismissal status.

Criteria.  Any student subject to a first-time dismissal will be invited to appeal that determination.

The following criteria are used to assess a student’s academic standing:

• First semester students (freshmen and transfers) receiving a GPA less than 1.5 will be dismissed with the right to appeal;
• Students whose cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 for two consecutive semesters with be dismissed with the right to appeal;
• Students whose semester GPA falls below a 2.0 for three consecutive semesters will be subject to dismissal from the college. The Academic Review Committee may grant an additional semester of probation prior to dismissal on a case-by-case basis;
• Students whose semester GPA falls below a 2.0 for a fourth consecutive semester will be dismissed with the right to appeal;
• Any student returning from a dismissal (either because an appeal was granted or by readmission) whose semester GPA is less than 2.0 will be dismissed without the right to appeal.

Appeals. Neither an academic warning nor an academic probation may be appealed.

Appeals of academic dismissals are reviewed by the Academic Review Committee (ARC). Students are entitled to appeal dismissals in writing to the committee. The committee will not hear appeals in person or by phone.

Details regarding the appeals process, including deadlines, will be stated in the dismissal notification and on the Advising Center page. If the student’s appeal is granted, the student will be reinstated on probation for the semester following the dismissal. Any student returning from a dismissal (either because an appeal was granted or by readmission) whose semester GPA is less than 2.0 will be dismissed.

If a student does not appeal, or the appeal is denied, the student may not take any coursework at Purchase College for one year following their dismissal.

Students who have been dismissed a second time have no right of appeal and must reapply to the College after waiting one full academic year.

Any notice of academic warning or probation will appear on a student’s Degree Progress Report (DPR)

Notification. A notification of warning, probation, or dismissal will be sent to the student’s official Purchase email address prior to the commencement of the next semester. Any communication of probation may also include conditions for continued of study at Purchase (e.g. participating on athletic teams, holding a student government position).

Probation. As noted above, the Academic Review Committee has the right to set forth conditions on a student’s probation. Students are encouraged to work with their advisors to devise an appropriate course load and to attain a balance between study and other activities.

Dismissal. The first time a student is dismissed they can appeal for a reversal of the decision. Any student whose appeal is denied or who chooses not to appeal will not be allowed to return to the university for two full semesters. A summer session is not considered a full semester, and a dismissed student may not enroll in any classes during a summer session. For example, a dismissal following the spring semester means that the student will be required to remain out for the subsequent fall, spring, and summer semesters.

A student who is dismissed for a second time will not be permitted to reapply to Purchase.

Readmission after Academic Dismissal
Please refer to Readmission

Visiting Students

Nonmatriculated or visiting students who have attempted 12 or more credits will be academically dismissed if their cumulative GPA is below 2.0. They may appeal in writing for a Waiver of academic dismissal to the Academic Review Committee. A waiver will be granted only once. Students granted a waiver will remain on academic probation. If a waiver is not granted, dismissed students will not be permitted to re-enroll until two semesters have elapsed (not including winter or summer sessions) and only after the Registrar has reviewed and approved the request.

For information on academic progress standards for graduate students see Academic Progress Standards for Graduate Students.

Purchase College, State University of New York, accepts transfer credit from regionally accredited institutions of higher education and from recognized candidates for accreditation that are received on an official transcript by the Registrar’s Office.  These regional accrediting bodies include:

• Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WASC)

Credit recognized by the National College Credit Recommendation Service of the University of the State of New York and the American Council on Education, recorded on official transcripts will be evaluated and may be accepted for applicability to specific degree requirements.

Students who have attended non-regionally accredited institutions of higher education may request that their coursework be evaluated for transfer credit. Credit will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and students will be expected to provide course descriptions and/or syllabi to assist in evaluating the coursework.

The U.S. Department of Education provides a searchable database of colleges and universities and their accreditation. We do not accept credit with national or specialized agency accreditation.

College-level credit taken at institutions outside of the US must be evaluated by a NACES member translation/evaluation service. We highly recommend World Education Service and Spantran. A course-by-course/course analysis evaluation is required.

What is an official transcript?

Hard-copy transcripts and other academic records are considered official when they arrive in a sealed, stamped, official envelope with the seal and any other security feature intact. Electronic transcripts are considered official when we receive them from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution or testing service.

Academic records received in any other condition, such as transcripts that arrive in an unsealed envelope, or that are emailed or uploaded by the student, or that are printed from the university portal, are not considered official.

Award of Academic Credit by Evaluation

Purchase College awards academic credit by evaluation for the following: 

• Standardized published examinations
  • Advanced Placement (AP)
  • International Baccalaureate (IB)
  • College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Subject Examinations 
  • Military Education and Training

Note: 

• Purchase College currently does not award credit on the basis of faculty/department developed challenge exams or portfolio review.

Undergraduate Transfer Credit Policy

• All students, regardless of credits transferred, must satisfy all academic requirements (or their equivalencies) for the major and the degree.
• Students must disclose all prior college work on their application to Purchase. Transfer credit will not be awarded from work that was omitted on the application to the College.
• Credits are converted to semester hours/credits.  For example: unless otherwise specified, one quarter credit equals ⅔ of a semester hour.  5 quarter credits equals 3⅓ semester credits.
• A maximum of 4 physical education credits can be applied toward a degree. 
• Remedial, college-prep, college success and college experience credits are not transferable.
• Grades of D or higher are accepted in transfer credit of non-General Education courses, although several departments have higher grade requirements for satisfaction of major or minor requirements.  If a higher grade is required for a requirement then the higher grade is the minimum accepted in transfer for that course or requirement.
• Credits for General Education courses in which a minimum grade of C is not earned do not transfer to other SUNY institutions, including Purchase College. However, fulfillment of the SUNY General Education requirement itself does transfer as long as the student passes the course. In this case, the student needs to make up the missing credits at the institution to which they transfer.
• Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores of 3 or better can transfer as credit, with the exception of AP language and composition. Students receiving a 4 or 5 on the language and composition exam will be given credit and are waived from the Basic Communication requirement. Students who receive a 3 may be given credit, but will be required to take the course to fulfill that requirement. A maximum of 30 AP credits will be accepted. Purchase’s AP code is 2878.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) credit can be awarded for higher-level (HL) exams with scores of 5 or better.
• A maximum of 30 credits will be accepted through the College Level Examination Program* (CLEP). Transfer is evaluated by review of each individual test score. 
• Acceptance of a course for transfer credit does not guarantee applicability to degree, major, or minor requirements.  
• Credits are transferred for the semester hour equivalent that they are taken. For example, courses taught elsewhere for 3 credits, which are taught at Purchase College for 4 credits, will transfer as 3 credits.
• Transfer grades do not factor in to the Purchase GPA.
• Once matriculated at Purchase, if a student wishes to transfer college-level work to transfer back to Purchase, they must complete a pre-approval to transfer credits form prior to registration if they wish to ensure transferability. 

BA and BS Programs

• A maximum of 90 credits—including a maximum of 75 lower-level (freshman-sophomore) credits—may be accepted in transfer to an undergraduate BA or BS program at Purchase College. The maximum of 90 can only be achieved if the student has at least 15 junior and/or senior level credits.
• A maximum of 30 non-liberal art credits may be applied to a BA degree. A maximum of 60 non-liberal art credits may be applied to a BS degree. Non-liberal arts credits include (but are not limited to) business, nursing, education, accounting, social work, engineering, physical education, as well as visual and performing arts.
• BS in Visual Arts:  a maximum of 20 studio art credits and 9 art history credits are transferable. All upper-level studio art courses required for the BS major in the School of Art+Design must be completed at Purchase College. Art credits from other schools are not automatically transferable. Studio Art credit is awarded only for courses completed with a grade of “C” or better and if a comparable course is taught at Purchase with the approval from the Department Chair.

BFA and MusB Programs

Dance: Students may transfer a maximum of 36 general education (“core”) credits.  Dance credits are not transferable. The Dance major takes 8 semesters to complete regardless of transfer credit. 

Classical Composition, Instrumental Performance, Jazz Studies, Studio Composition, Studio Production, and Voice and Opera Studies: Students may transfer a maximum of 66 credits:  36 general education (“core”) and 30 music credits.  The music credits are accepted if approved by the conservatory.  Under extraordinary circumstances, a student may transfer up to 54 music credits with permission from both the Department Chair and the Director of the Conservatory of Music.

Acting, Film, and Theatre Design/Technology: Students may transfer a maximum of 36 general education (“core”) credits.  Major requirements in acting, stage/set design/technology and filmmaking are not transferable. These BFA majors take 8 semesters to complete regardless of transfer credit. 

Graphic Design, Painting/Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Visual Arts: A maximum of 75 credits (a maximum of 24 studio art credits, 9 art history credits, 6 credits non-arts electives and an additional 36 general education (“core”) credits. All upper-level studio art courses required for the BFA majors in the School of Art+Design must be completed at Purchase College. Studio Art credit is awarded only for courses completed with a grade of “C” or better and if a comparable course is taught at Purchase with the approval from the Department Chair.

Graduate Transfer Credit Policy

1. Credits are converted to semester hours/credits.  For example: unless otherwise specified, one quarter credit equals ⅔ of a semester hour.  5 quarter credits equals 3⅓ semester credits.
2. A maximum of 9 graduate-level credits with a grade of “B” or better may be accepted in transfer to an MA, MM, or MFA program at Purchase College. Evaluation of which credits transfer are subject to approval from the Director of the program and the Registrar on a case by case basis.
3. Credits are transferred for the semester hour equivalent that they are taken. For example, courses taught elsewhere for 3 credits, which are taught at Purchase College for 4 credits, will transfer as 3 credits.

Students intending to withdraw from Purchase College should comply with the following procedures, which are designed to ensure a smooth flow of information regarding a student’s departure, to assess data regarding withdrawal, and to minimize potential problems in the event of readmission:

1. All required forms must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar before leaving the campus.
2. Purchase identification cards must be returned to the More Card Office.
3. Keys to residence hall rooms or apartments must be returned to the Office of Residential and Student Life. All other keys must be returned to the appropriate building manager.
4. Refunds are based on the refund schedule published by the Office of Student Financial Services. Refunds on residence assignments are based on the date that students vacate their housing assignment and return their keys. Refunds on meal plans are calculated from the date students return their identification card.
5. Students on academic probation at the time of withdrawal will have that status noted on their transcript.
6. Students who transfer to another college are required to withdraw from Purchase College. Any matriculated student who does not register and does not notify the Office of the Registrar of his or her withdrawal from Purchase College will be administratively withdrawn by the registrar.
7. Withdrawal affects the repayment of educational loans and disbursements of student aid funds. Students who receive financial aid and/or have taken out educational loans must consult with the Office of Student Financial Services, (914) 251-6080, before withdrawing.
8. Academic dismissal will supersede any withdrawal.