Welcome to CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies (CUNY BA), CUNY’s most interesting and flexible degree route, available to all CUNY students.

CUNY BA helps self-directed students design their own academic courses of study, as they work closely with faculty mentors.  CUNY BA students enroll at a CUNY college, then have access to courses and opportunities across the University and beyond.

Why should I enroll in this individualized City University of New York (CUNY) Bachelor’s degree?

■ FINISH your B.A. or B.S. degree in New York City
Our students have access to courses at the CUNY colleges in all five NYC boroughs; on average, they finish their Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in just two years.

■ JOIN academically superior students
Challenge yourself and collaborate with the best of the best. CUNY BA students are highly motivated; the average GPA of our entering students is 3.22.

■ DEVELOP areas of concentration (individualized majors)
Students pursue one or two areas of concentration, and are able to use courses across disciplines, from the humanities, social sciences and fine arts, to math, science and applied subjects (e.g., computer applications).

There are almost no limits to what you can create.

Here are just a few examples of what you can do (students pursue one or two areas of concentration – like a single or double major):

• INSTEAD of a general Psychology degree, specialize in Political Psychology, Neuropsychology, Sports Psychology or the Psychology of Cyberspace.

• CARE about the environment?  Design your major in Sustainability, International Environmental Policy or Environmental Journalism.

• PASSIONATE about Social Justice and Human Rights? Make it your college degree!

• GO beyond a regular Business major - study Health Care Business Administration, Micro-Finance and Entrepreneurship, Behavioral Economics or Asian Business Models.

• TRANSCEND a standard Math, Science or Computer major - create yours in Astrophysics, Bioethics, Digital Game Design, Food Science, Forensic Computing or Science Writing.

Explore our Website for many more examples.

■ BENEFIT from a comprehensive transfer policy
We accept most credits students have previously taken (up to 90, including military and AP credits), and we apply them to our degree requirements. Students know their remaining degree requirements on their first day in CUNY BA! Enrolled students can apply for life experience credits.

■ START from a CUNY community college
Students enrolled in a CUNY community college can apply to CUNY BA and start working on their B.A. or B.S. degrees immediately. CUNY BA accepts up to 68 community college credits in transfer.

■ MATRICULATE into one of CUNY’s eleven senior colleges
If you are not already enrolled in a CUNY senior college, you can apply to one at the same time as applying to CUNY BA. The senior colleges are: Baruch, Brooklyn, City, College of Staten Island, Lehman, Hunter, John Jay, Medgar Evers, NYC College of Technology, Queens and York. [If you are at a CUNY community college, you must transfer to a senior college by the time you have 68 total credits.] You’ll enjoy all the benefits of your home college (the college where you are matriculated) and CUNY BA!

■ ENJOY academic flexibility
This is student-centered learning. Select the courses that interest you most. Take advantage of independent study, internships, honors courses, study abroad, graduate-level courses and credit-by-exam. Go to school part- or full-time (day, night, weekend and online courses are available). Take courses at any of the CUNY undergrad colleges, as well as the CUNY Graduate School and School of Professional Studies.

■ GET individualized attention
Each CUNY BA student works with a full-time CUNY faculty member and is also assigned to one of our full-time academic advisors.  And at CUNY, 75% of all classes have 30 or fewer students.

■ APPLY for scholarships and financial aid
You’ll apply for financial aid and scholarships at the CUNY college into which you matriculate (are accepted as a degree-seeking student).  You’ll be able to apply for our own generous scholarships, too (we’ve helped fund – in full or in part - over 800 students scholarships since 1994). We also have extensive resources to help you find additional funding.  

■ SAVE money
Not only is CUNY the most affordable university in New York, with so many flexible options for earning credit through CUNY BA, our degree is the most cost-effective route.

■ EXPERIENCE what you could in a small, private college - at America’s largest, internationally-known, public research university.

■ GRADUATE with a degree that’s significant to you, your life and your goals.
Get the degree that will work for you; 80% of our alumni report they are working in positions related to their self-designed areas of concentration! 99% say they enjoyed this degree route and would recommend it to others.

Learn more about the CUNY BA ADMISSIONS CRITERIA and APPLY TODAY!

If you are not already matriculated in a CUNY College, apply now by going to:  http://www.cuny.edu/admissions/undergraduate.html