BUFFALO STATE UNIVERSITY
DIRECTORY OF POLICY STATEMENTS
Category: Academic Affairs
Policy No.: I:04:00
Date Established: (to be determined)
Responsible Office: Registrar’s Office / Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Date Posted to Directory: (to be determined)
This policy defines the minimum university requirements for all baccalaureate degrees at Buffalo State University. Program‑specific requirements published in the Undergraduate Catalog may exceed these minima. Where a conflict exists between unit procedures and this policy, this policy governs.
At‑a‑Glance Minimums
Total Credits: 120 minimum (higher where specified by program/accreditor)
Upper‑Division Credits: 45 minimum (courses numbered 300/400)
Institutional Residency: 30 credits minimum in residence at Buffalo State University
Institutional GPA: 2.00 minimum (and program GPA where applicable)
General Education: Complete the Intellectual Foundations/Gen Ed curriculum applicable to the student’s catalog year (see Catalog link under Related Documents)
To earn a baccalaureate degree, students must satisfy the following university‑wide requirements in addition to all program, college, and accreditor requirements:
Credit Requirement – Earn a minimum of 120 semester credit hours applicable to the degree plan. Programs that are accredited or licensure‑leading may require more.
Upper‑Division Requirement – Earn at least 45 credit hours in upper‑division coursework (typically numbered 300–499) applicable to the degree.
Institutional Residency Requirement – Complete at least 30 credit hours in residence at Buffalo State University. "In residence" includes credits earned through BSU course enrollment, including approved cross‑registration with the Western New York Consortium when posted as Buffalo State credit. Transfer, examination, or other nonresident credits do not count toward residency.
Grade‑Point Average Requirement – Achieve a minimum 2.00 institutional GPA and meet any higher GPA standards set by the program or accreditor. Only grades earned in Buffalo State University courses affect the institutional GPA.
General Education (Intellectual Foundations) – Complete the university’s current general education curriculum as defined by the catalog year in effect at the time of the student’s matriculation or subsequent approved change. Detailed category lists and course codes are maintained in the Undergraduate Catalog/Intellectual Foundations website and are not repeated in this policy.
Program Requirements – Satisfy all major, minor, and concentration requirements as published in the Undergraduate Catalog, including any external assessments (portfolios, exams, practica) where applicable.
Duplicate and Overlapping Credit
Credit will not be granted twice for substantially equivalent coursework or credit sources. When two courses (or a course and an exam) substantially duplicate content, only one will apply toward the degree.
Credit Sources and Limits
Alternative/nontraditional credit (e.g., AP, CLEP, IB, ACTFL, military, experiential learning, course challenge) is governed by Policy E:04:01 – Alternative Credit & Transfer Evaluation. See that policy for caps and evaluation rules.
The Vice Provost for Academic Affairs is responsible for policy oversight. The Registrar’s Office implements the policy via degree audit (Degree Works), enforces residency and upper‑division minima at graduation checkout, and publishes operational guidance.
An Undergraduate Policy Review Committee (Registrar, Academic Affairs, Advising, Faculty Senate designee) reviews this policy every five years or upon major changes to state/SUNY requirements and recommends updates.
Catalog Year: The academic year edition of the Undergraduate Catalog governing degree requirements for a matriculated student.
Institutional (BSU) GPA: Cumulative GPA computed from grades earned in Buffalo State University coursework only.
In Residence: Credit earned through enrollment in BSU‑offered courses (including approved WNY Consortium cross‑registration posted as BSU credit). Transfer/test/portfolio credits are not in residence.
Upper‑Division Credit: Coursework normally numbered 300–499.
Degree Planning: Students and advisors use the Undergraduate Catalog and Degree Works to map completion of university, major, minor, and general education requirements.
Substitutions/Waivers: Departments may recommend course substitutions consistent with accreditor/SUNY rules; all substitutions must be documented in Degree Works and approved by the college dean or designee.
Apply for Graduation: Students submit the online application by posted deadlines (see Graduation Application & Conferral process page). Degree checkout verifies compliance with all minima, including the 30‑credit residency and 45 upper‑division requirements.
Conferral: The Registrar confers degrees after successful completion and posts the award to the transcript. Students not meeting requirements by the deadline must re‑apply for a future conferral term.
Students – Monitor progress and apply for graduation.
Advisors/Chairs – Provide academic guidance; initiate substitutions when warranted.
Registrar’s Office – Maintain degree audit, enforce minima, and manage conferral.
Academic Affairs – Maintain this policy and coordinate periodic review.
Alternative Credit & Transfer Evaluation (Policy E:04:01)
Graduation Application & Conferral (Process Page)
Undergraduate Catalog – Degree Requirements & Intellectual Foundations
Cross‑Registration (WNY Consortium) Policy
Registrar’s Office
Buffalo State University
1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878‑4811
Email: registrar@buffalostate.edu
Website: https://registrar.buffalostate.edu
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| August 2025 | Draft created; standardized institutional name to Buffalo State University and set residency minimum to 30 credits to resolve prior inconsistency. |
To be completed upon Cabinet approval.
