CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies (CUNY BA) offers students the opportunity to design interdisciplinary (or otherwise unique or specialized) Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degrees in which they are able to integrate different disciplines into single concentrations. It’s not a double major, it’s not a major-minor combination. It is a way of integrating different areas of knowledge into a solid interdisciplinary degree.
One principle behind CUNY Baccalaureate — and interdisciplinary studies in general — is that the complex problems of today require thinking that is informed by the study of multiple disciplines. A musician, for example, is assisted when she or he has an understanding of mathematics, science, poetry, and of course, music theory. An environmental educator is assisted when she or he has studied not only environmental science, but also educational theory, leadership theory, geography, statistics, etc.
Two oft-asked questions of potential CUNY BA students are:
1) Will I be able to get into graduate school with this degree?
And
2) Will I be able to get a job with this degree?
Here is some guidance:
Just over half of all graduates of CUNY Baccalaureate have gone on to graduate education (about half of those have attended a CUNY graduate program). Almost 100% of our alumni in graduate studies say their CUNY Baccalaureate undergraduate education adequately prepared them for graduate school; in many cases, their specialized areas of concentration coupled with their ability to work independently and with faculty gave them an edge over the competition. The majority report being accepted to all or almost all of the graduate programs to which they applied, often with generous financial assistance and prestigious scholarships.
Note that a 50%+ rate of students going on to graduate education is higher than the national average, where 40% of BA/BS completers go on to graduate school. And here is some feedback from CUNY BA graduates about applying to graduate school:
Lakshman Kalasapudi, B.A. 2012, South Asian Studies/Urban Planning, has been accepted to the Master’s in Anthropology at the University of Manitoba (with funding by the International Development Research Centre); he says “My background in interdisciplinary studies really helped me become a viable candidate for this program.”
Robert Riggs, B.A. 2012, Urban Anthropology and Mass Incarceration, has been accepted to the Ph.D. program in Sociology at NYU, with a five-year Henry McCracken Fellowship. He says, “CUNY BA was crucial to my success in being accepted into graduate school.”
“Yesterday, I received my Master’s degree in Journalism from the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism. Two years ago I graduated from the CUNY BA. Without all the help I got from CUNY BA it would not have been possible for me to obtain a bachelor’s degree – cum laude – and a master’s degree in only four years. I will be always grateful to all of you for that.” – Jose Bayona, Political Science and Journalism, B.A. 2010
Blake Hefter, B.A. 2009 Medical Biotechnology, completed a Technical Research Assistantship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and is now pursuing a degree in Veterinary Medicine at Ross University in the Caribbean. He says “It all started for me with the CUNY BA program and I’ll never forget that.”
“My years in the CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies enabled me to feel qualified to excel in my graduate courses and exams.” -- Saundra Ayala, Mediterranean Art History, B.A. 2008
“CUNY BA set the benchmark for academic freedom and I finished my master’s degree in a similar interdisciplinary program. I am now a tenured professor of Jazz Studies at Diablo Valley College and I am eternally grateful for the fact that during my studies I was able to create programs that were relevant to my life and career.” — Glenn Appell, Music and Education, B.S. 1979
Don’t shy away from a self-designed interdisciplinary degree because of concerns it will not lead to a job! In alumni surveys, conducted annually, approximately 80% of graduates report that they hold jobs in fields related to their areas of concentration. More than half report receiving promotions or raises in their current positions or starting new careers upon earning the degree.
Here are some recent employment examples:
Rebekah Ambjor, B.A. 2012 (Creative Writing for Children / Health Studies
for Children) is now a Cooking and Nutrition Instructor at Red Rabbit, a NYC-based healthy school meal provider to the Metro area.
Andrea (Drea) Bernardi, B.S. 2011 (Mass Media / Mediated Performance Art) is the Media Production Coordinator for world-renowned chef and restaurateur Mario Batali.
Michaela Lind, B.S. 2011 (Ritual-Focused Performance Techniques) is a performer with “Clowns Ex Machina.”
Alex Wernquest, B.S. 2011 (Film Sound and Music Technology) is a sound technician at Gotham Sound.
Mustafa Ali, B.A. 2011 (Environmental Justice) works for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Justice, in Washington D.C.
Diana Diaz, B.A. 2011 (Education Policy Analysis) works for the Day Care Council of New York.
Lina Cardona, B.A. 2011 (Film Production / Anthropology) works with Jackson Films in New York.
Dan Compitello, B.S. 2010 (Urban and Community Development Policy and Planning) is Principal at Urban Parc and Volunteer Director at Youth in Planning – American Planning Association.
Noah Ginsburg, B.A. 2010 (Renewable Energy) is Performance Guarantee Specialist at Sungevity, a home solar system company based in San Francisco; formerly, he was the NYC Solar Ombudsman at CUNY.
Jessica Lawson, B.A. 2010 (Convergence Journalism) works in Operations for Condition One, a mobile media technology company that develops tools and platforms for filmmakers, photojournalists and visual storytellers.
Lisa Jahn, B.A. 2010 (Medical Anthropology) is a research scientist for NYC’s HRA Office of Evaluation and Research.
Rachel Ramirez, B.A. 2010 (Creative Writing / Literature) is a staff writer for the CUNY Graduate Center’s Office of Public Affairs.
Havalah Collins, B.S. 2010 (Ethnic Vocal Studies) is Director of Music Together of Ft. Greene/Clinton Hill.
Tunu Thom, B.A. 2010 (African Centered Education) is a middle school dance and drama teacher.
Mai Kichuchi, B.A. 2009 (Marketing and Management of Art and Design) is a sales associate at a NYC art gallery.
Katharine Daya Bill, B.A. 2009 (Urban Sustainability) is a policy analyst at APPRISE, a nonprofit research institute that provides bill payment assistance, energy education and energy efficiency services to low-income households.
Tyler Shenk-Foley, B.A. 2009 (Biology and the Brain) is a Physician’s Assistant in NYC.
Mohamed Jallow B.A. 2009 (International Relations) is a Program Development Specialist at IntraHealth International, based in North Carolina.
Claudio Salazar, B.A. 2008 (Geopolitical History) is Account Manager/ International Sales for Latin America at Business Monitor International, based in New York City.
Karalyn Shimmyo, B.S. 2007 (Experimental Social Psychology) is now Better Days Supervisor/Program Coordinator at Amida Care.
Here is some feedback from our alumni:
I am currently working for Red Rabbit as their cooking andnutrition instructor along with working towards publishing my children’s book, Lucy’s Garden. Both of these jobs relate to my CUNY BA degree. — Rebekah Ambjor, Creative Writing for Children / Health Studies for Children, B.A. 2012
I just got a job as a music specialist at a live-in foster home housing 60 mentally disabled adolescents, thanks to this great program! — Ryan Woodhall, Sound Studies, B.S. 2011
I’m writing this email from my desk at my new job as a sound technician at Gotham Sound. I started about 5 weeks ago and it’s going really well. My AOC was Film Sound and Music Technology, and my job involves renting out audio gear for professional film and music production companies. It feels fantastic being able to work in the field I studied in at school. I have a lot of peers who unfortunately can’t say the same thing. I just wanted to write to thank you and everyone involved at the BA program – I wouldn’t be in this position if not for CUNY BA. You guys really do embody what I always imagined higher education to be.
–Alex Wernquest, B.S. 2011
I received two professional theatre opportunities as a direct result of working with my CUNY faculty mentors. — Chandler Wild, Storytelling for the Stage and Screen, B.S. 2011
After graduation, I was promoted to an editor position and given a salary increase! – Matthew Zuras, Digital and Print Media Production, B.A. 2010
I ended up getting two job offers as a result of my CUNY BA education, one as a Gallery Associate and one as a Gallery Manager. – Molly Watts, Art History and Religion, B.A. 2010
CUNY BA gave me the tools I need to think on my feet, form original concepts, and follow through. I could never have developed these skills as thoroughly as I did without this program. I used my CUNY BA experience to prepare me to excel in my Renewable Energy career. – Clint Porter, Energy Resource Policy, B.A. 2008
CUNY BA is nothing less than phenomenal. I’ve been able to focus in on unique coursework, and I’ve been able to progress with extreme efficiency. I couldn’t have made a better decision with my education. My areas of concentration helped me obtain employment with the U.S. Department of Justice. – David Morgante, International Crime/Terrorism Studies, B.S. 2008
Having to create my own course of study fostered my ability to apply theater and theater-based solutions in almost any context. I am now employed in a position that was tailored just for me and my skills. If I didn’t have the practice and the knowledge that this unique degree program offered me, my options would be much more limited. –Kayhan Irani, Theatre and Social Change, B.A. 2008
Just a few months after graduation, I was hired as a television reporter for Channel 69 News in Pennsylvania. I report in Spanish and in English. Last year, I sent out my resume in overnight mail. In less than 24 hours I received a call asking me to set up an interview. With so many people trying to get into television, I truly believe that my CUNY BA education and my study abroad experience gave me the edge I needed. — Dwayne Parker, Communications and Latin American Politics, B.A. 2007
My degree is one of the main reasons I was able to get my new job. My interview focused quite a bit on my degree – what I studied, why I studied it, and how this was even possible. My job is directly related to what I studied, as is obvious from the job title, Manager of Volunteer Relations for New York Cares, Inc. – Jaime Denniston-Merced, Sociology of Volunteerism, B.A. 2006
CUNY BA enabled me to extend my academic and professional vision beyond what I believed possible. After graduation I became an Assistant Vice President within IT at Citigroup, and am currently Project Management Professionally certified (PMP) with Time Warner, managing corporate level projects and initiatives. – Paul Sanabria, Information Technology for Hospitality Management, B.S. 2006
I am proud to share with you that I just accepted a great executive assistant position at Ogilvy and Mather. During my final interview my new boss confided in me that she had been thrilled to see CUNY BA on my résumé. She could see that I had the professional qualifications for the position, but ‘CUNY BA graduate’ under the education section of my résumé said more to her than my other qualifications. The way she talked about CUNY BA made me feel like I was the alumnus of a truly prestigious program. – Alex Van Ark, French Studies/Russian Studies, B.A. 2005
