Frequently Asked Questions about Pathways

1. What is Pathways?

Pathways establishes a new system of general education requirements and new transfer guidelines across CUNY — and by doing so reinforces CUNY’s educational excellence while easing student transfer between CUNY colleges.  CUNY’s Pathways approach to General Education has several components, including the 30 credit Common Core.

2. Does Pathways apply to me?

Pathways applies to every student entering BMCC in Fall 2013 and after. Pathways also applies to returning students who have taken an absence of more than one semester.

Continuing students who entered BMCC prior to Fall 2013 can choose whether they wish to change over to Pathways or complete their existing graduation requirements.

3. What is the Common Core?

The Common Core is a 30 credit general education requirement that all students entering CUNY fall 2013 and after must complete.  The Common Core contains two parts, the Required Common Core and the Flexible Common Core.

4. How does Pathways affect transferring to a CUNY senior college?

Pathways allows for a seamless transfer of credits from one CUNY college to another.  Once a student has completed a Common Core requirement at one CUNY college, that requirement is considered fulfilled if they transfer to another CUNY college.  Pathways also guarantees that any credited course passed at a CUNY college will transfer to any other CUNY college.

5. I started BMCC before Fall 2013.  Should I change to Pathways?

Many factors go into deciding whether you should change over to Pathways. The number of completed credits, the courses that you have completed and the remaining courses you have left to graduate must all be considered before changing to Pathways. In some situations, it may be beneficial for a student to change to Pathways because there will not be an increase of credits needed to graduate.  In other situations, changing to Pathways may cause a student to complete more than 60-62 credits to graduate.  Changing to Pathways may also affect your financial aid. Therefore, this decision must be made in consultation with an academic advisor.  If you decide that you would like to change to Pathways, you must opt-in by signing a Pathways contract.  Once you change over to Pathways, this decison cannot be changed at a later date.

6. I am enrolled in an Associate in Applied Science degree program.  How does Pathways affect me?

Students enrolled in an Associate in Applied Science degree program are not required to complete the 30 credit Common Core, however the Liberal Arts courses required for each AAS degree must be Pathways approved Common Core courses.  AAS students should consult with their avisors to ensure the Liberal Arts courses meet Pathways requirements.

7. I am a continuing student and I want to opt into Pathways.  How do I do this?

If you wish to opt into Pathways, you will need to meet with an academic advisor and complete an opt in contract.  The contract can be found here.