Baccalaureate Degree Requirements
The baccalaureate degree is conferred by the authority of the Kean University Board of Trustees.
To qualify, a student must be fully enrolled in a major program at Kean, and complete that program with a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit. A minimum of 32 degree credits, including one-half of the major requirements, must be earned at Kean. A maximum of 66 credits will be transferred at the lower division (1000/2000 level taken at four-year institutions combined with all credits taken at two-year/county colleges/community colleges). All credits transferred between 66 and the maximum of 92 total credits must be at the upper division (3000/4000 or junior/senior level) taken at a four-year institution. For more information see Policies on Transfer Credit.
All major courses in any program require a minimum grade of “C” to be counted toward the fulfillment of that requirement (some programs have higher grade requirements). Courses initially completed at a grade of “D” and repeated according to the policy do not earn duplicate credit toward overall degree requirements. General Education courses (other than ENG 1030) and free electives unless specifically designated by the major earn credit towards the degree with a “D” grade or better. ENG 1030 requires a grade of “C” or better. Some major programs do require grades higher than “C”, and retaking the course does not earn duplicate credit toward the degree.
No course can fulfill both a major and a General Education requirement. In order to graduate, all students must successfully complete either GE 1000 (Transition to Kean) or GE 3000 (Transfer Transitions) at Kean University.
Except in the case of specifically approved academic programs, no more than 40 semester hours in a major field will count toward the total credits for graduation.
Degree requirements must be completed within 10 years from the date of matriculation. Extension of time may be considered upon written request by the student to the appropriate college dean.
A 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation, although some majors require a higher GPA. For students in teacher preparation majors, a 3.00 cumulative GPA is required for certification, effective beginning catalog year 2012-2013.
Kean does not authorize granting two baccalaureate degrees simultaneously. Students may pursue a double major which will appear on their academic transcript, but only one baccalaureate degree will be issued. After graduation, students have the option of pursing a second baccalaureate degree.
Candidates for New Jersey teacher certification must pass the Professional Assessment for Beginning Teachers (PRAXIS II) in the appropriate field.
The following outlines the degree completion requirements to participate in the graduation ceremony. Only students who have graduated in January or will graduate by May or August in the year of the May ceremony will be eligible to pick up a cap and gown and walk in this ceremony.
January - all coursework must be completed by the end of the current fall semester.
May - all coursework must be completed by the end of the current spring semester.
August - all coursework must be completed by the end of the current second summer session.
All requirements including outstanding transfer credits, waivers, CLEP, life experience credits, incomplete grades, change of grades and grade recalculations must be received by the Registrar’s Office within two weeks of the graduation dates, for January, May and August. Failure to submit all requirements by the end of this two-week time period may result in postponing graduation to the next graduation date.