College Catalog: 2010-2011

Graduation Requirements

Ramapo College seeks to fulfill its mission by providing students with opportunities to investigate and analyze our increasingly interdependent and intercultural world. An emphasis on critical thinking and an awareness of value questions prepares Ramapo College students to become life-long learners. Preparation for a degree from Ramapo College provides the opportunity and structure for students to explore their potential and develop their intellectual goals.

Credit and Grade Point Average Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 128 graduation credits (126 in the Nursing major) to be eligible for a degree. (Transfer students should note all residency requirements as outlined in this Catalog.) Identical courses (same course identification number) taken more than one time count only once as graduation credit. Transfer students should refer to their transfer evaluation to ensure they do not repeat a course which has already transferred. Courses numbered below 100 do not count toward the graduation credit requirement.

Students must have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) as well as a 2.0 G.P.A. (2.3 G.P.A. in Nursing major) in their major and second major and/or minor to be eligible for a degree. All courses taken at Ramapo College (including those numbered below 100) apply to the G.P.A. whether for graduation credit or not. Transferred course work does not count in the G.P.A. at Ramapo College.

NO CHANGES OF ANY KIND MAY BE MADE TO YOUR ACADEMIC RECORD ONCE YOU HAVE GRADUATED. If, for any reason, you decide to postpone your graduation or you are requesting a grade change, please call (201) 684-7520.

Courses Used in the Calculation of GPA in the Major

All courses listed as “Requirements for the Major” (often includes Professional Cores and/or prerequisites)

Any and all courses taken that carry the major disciplinary designation (for example: History major – all HIST courses; Biology major, all BIOL courses, etc.).

For interdisciplinary majors, any and all courses taken which are listed as possible electives for the major.

Unless double-counted in the major, general education courses do not count in the major G.P.A.

For students failing to meet the G.P.A. requirement in the major, the Policy on Retaking Courses (see below) must be adhered to. Students are responsible for compliance with this policy and any coursework taken inappropriately will not be considered when determining the G.P.A. in the major.

School Core

Students must affiliate with one of the College’s five Schools:

  • School of American and International Studies
  • Anisfield School of Business
  • School of Contemporary Arts
  • School of Social Science and Human Services
  • School of Theoretical and Applied Science.

Each of the Schools has a required core program for the majors it offers, which emphasizes the School’s theme and provides a context for later work in the major. The core programs vary in the number of credits required. Required school core courses also may fulfill General Education requirements. Students completing a minor outside of the school offering their major are not required to complete the school core for the minor’s school.

General Education

See the General Education page.

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Major Programs

Each student must complete a major program of study. The College offers 35 traditional and interdisciplinary majors. Some majors require study in a concentration which specializes in a particular sub-field of the major. For example, students majoring in Business Administration can elect concentrations in Finance, Marketing, or Management.

Courses fulfilling the requirements for the primary major may count to fulfill requirements of the secondary major, but may not exceed one-half of the credits required in the secondary major or minor.

A detailed description of majors and their requirements can be found at Academic Units.

MAJOR PROGRAMS WITH SPECIFIC ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
The following majors have specific entrance requirements noted in the major description:

  • Accounting
  • Allied Health
  • Business Administration
  • Clinical Laboratory Science
  • Information Systems
  • International Business

Double Majors

With careful planning and early consultation with advisors, it is possible for a student to complete the requirements for bachelor’s degree with a primary and a secondary major. The primary major determines the degree awarded, therefore a student with a primary major in Environmental Science and a secondary major in American Studies will receive a Bachelor of Science degree with both the primary and secondary degree listed on the diploma and official transcript. A student with a primary major in American Studies and a secondary major in Environmental Science will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree, with both the primary and secondary degree listed on the diploma and official transcript. Courses fulfilling the requirements for the primary major may count to fulfill requirements of the secondary major, but may not exceed one half of the credits required in the secondary major or minor.

Ramapo College residency requirements apply, as well, thus one half of the requirements of both the primary and secondary major must be completed at Ramapo College. Double majors are not permitted within the Anisfield School of Business, except for the Economics major. Some majors require specific residency requirements noted in the description of the major. Particular rules regarding School Core requirements for double majors are outlined below:

  • Both primary and secondary major from the same School: School Core requirements must be fulfilled.
    Secondary major from the School of American and International Studies: School core for the secondary major is not required.
  • Secondary major from the Anisfield School of Business: Both the School Core for the primary major and the Business Core for the secondary major are required. The ASB math category course is also required.
  • Secondary major from the School of Contemporary Arts: Both the School Core for the primary and the secondary major are required.
  • Secondary major from the School of Social Science and Human Services: The School Core for the secondary major is not required.
  • Secondary major from the School of Theoretical and Applied Science: both the School Core for the primary major and for the secondary major are required.

Minor Programs

Although not required for graduation, students are strongly urged to complete minor programs as a means of adding range, depth, and diversity to their chosen fields of study. A detailed description of minors can be found in the Academic Units section of this Catalog.

Courses fulfilling the requirements for the primary or secondary major may count to fulfill requirements of the minor, but may not exceed one-half of the credits required in the minor.

A school core does not need to be completed for a minor.

Second Ramapo Baccalaureate Degree

Students who hold a baccalaureate degree from Ramapo College should make application through the Admissions Office indicating their intent to pursue a second degree career.

Students must complete all the graduation requirements for the major including:

  1. a minimum of one half of the major, or second major, or minor must be completed at Ramapo,
  2. a maximum of one half of the major from the first degree may be counted toward the second major,
  3. completion of a school core as listed under Second Major section of this Catalog and,
  4. a minimum of 32 credits in residency at Ramapo College.

Note: Ramapo graduates who majored in Accounting, Information Systems, Business Administration (concentrations in Finance, Management or Marketing) or in International Business may not seek a second Ramapo College undergraduate degree in any major offered from the Anisfield School of Business other than Economics, except by special permission of the Anisfield School of Business dean.

Second Baccalaureate Degree

Students who hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited academic institution should make application to Ramapo College through the Admissions Office indicating their intent to pursue a second baccalaureate degree. Students must complete all the graduation requirements for a Ramapo degree. A minimum of one half of the major, second major, minor must be completed at Ramapo College, and a total minimum of 48 credits must be completed in residency at Ramapo.

Distinction (Latin Honors)

To see the Latin Honors, please click here.