»FAQ
- your major or major concentration
- English 110
- any of the three (3) required Writing-Intensive courses
- any course taken to satisfy the basic skills requirement in mathematics
- Monday 9:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Friday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday - Closed
- For further information call (718) 997-3570/3573.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ's) we receive from students.
How many credits are required for graduation?
What is my writing requirement?
The writing requirement you need to fulfill depends upon two things: your matriculation date to Queens College and the dates of policy changes to the College's writing requirement. Students should consult the course offerings each semester for courses that have a writing intensive designation indicated by a "W" following the course number).
Matriculation
If you matriculated between Fall of 1997 to present, your writing requirement consists of English 110 (English Composition I) and three units of writing intensive coursework.
If you matriculated prior to the Fall 1997 semester, you may choose to complete the new writing requirement (see above) or the requirement in effect at the time of your matriculation, which is the completion of English 110 (English Composition I) and English 120 (English Composition II).
Policy Changes
Effective Spring 2006, English 120W replaces English 120. English 120W is a writing intensive course and counts as one of the three writing intensive units required of all Queens College students who matriculated in Fall 1997 or later. (English 120 counted as two writing intensive units for students who passed it from fall 1997 through fall 2005.)
Students who now take English 120W or transfer in a second-level composition course with a grade of C- or higher will now earn one writing unit. If a new transfer student is coming from a college or university that has a writing intensive program, he/she may discuss the possibility of earning one writing unit through transfer work. Please contact the Writing across the Curriculum program at 718-997-4695. Keep in mind that regardless of the number of writing units you may possibly transfer in, all students must take at least one writing intensive unit in residency. Writing across the Curriculum
What is the difference between credits, equated credits, and billable hours?
A credit is a unit of academic value assigned to college courses. The number of credits is usually based on the number of hours the course meets each week, and is generally a measure to determine the amount of work required for the class. It is suggested that for every hour you spend in class, you should spend 2 hours outside of class preparing and reviewing.
Equated Credits or Billable Credits are the number of contact hours (time spent in class) in remedial, compensatory, and developmental courses, regardless of credits given for these courses. The number of equated credits will exceed the number of credits counted toward the degree in compensatory, remedial, and developmental courses. Full-time status is determined by the number of equated or billable credits a student is registered for. A full-time undergraduate degree student is one enrolled for 12 or more credits or equated/billable credits.
How do I determine if I am a full time student? Will it affect my financial aid?
Students registered for 12 or more equated credits are considered to be full time students. It is important to maintain this status if you need financial aid, as most forms of financial aid are only granted to full time students.
How do I apply for financial aid?
To apply, students should go to the Financial Aid Office located in Jefferson Hall 202. The phone number is (718) 997-5100.
What is my tuition rate and how do I pay my tuition bill?
For the current rate please refer to the most recent Registration Guide and Schedule of Classes or consult the Bursar's Office. Cash, check, or credit cards are approved methods of payment. There are also payment plans available. For more information, contact the Bursar's Office in Jefferson 200 or at (718) 997-4500.
How can I prove my residency to obtain lower tuition fees?
Proof of one year of New York State residency must be presented to the Admissions Office at the Welcome Center in Jefferson Hall. Students should check with that office for the criteria necessary to prove residency.
When should I declare my major and where do I go to declare it?
Students should plan to declare a major prior to completing 60 credits. To declare a major, students should fill out a "Declaration of Major" card and have it signed by the appropriate department. It should then be turned in to the Registrar's Office in Jefferson 100 for processing.
What is the advantage of declaring a major sooner rather than later? What if I change my mind?
The advantage of declaring a major is that you will have access to any special programs for declared majors that the department sponsors. These benefits could include: pre-registration for courses with special registration dates, career nights, advising programs, and assigned advisors. If you change your mind, the new selection will replace your old selection. Only the current major code is kept on your record.
Do I have to declare a minor?
A minor is not required for a bachelor's degree. If you choose to select a minor, you must declare it in order for it to be placed on your record. * (Secondary Education students are required to complete the Secondary Education minor).
When is free hour?
Free hour is Monday and Wednesday from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. No classes are scheduled during this time. Campus events and activities and meetings of student organizations are often held during free hour.
How do I get a student I.D. card?
During the first month of the semester, students must go to Student Union Lower Level Room 29 with proof of registration and have a photo taken. The I.D. is free the first time, but if it is lost or stolen, the student must pay a replacement fee of $5.00. After the first month of the semester, all ID inquiries should go to the Security Guard House at the Main Gate entrance to Queens College on Kissena Blvd. Questions may be referred to the Security Department; (718) 997-4445.
How do I withdraw from a class?
You must officially withdraw from a class prior to the eighth week of the fall and spring semesters and prior to the third week for summer session II. Deadlines are listed in the Registration Guide & Schedule of Classes. (See the current Schedule of Classes) This action is completed using CUNYfirst.
What is a Leave of Absence?
A leave of absence is the complete withdrawal from all courses from the beginning of the fourth week through the fourteenth week of the fall or spring semester. Students must meet with a counselor in the Counseling and Advisement Center (B Building, 1st Floor) in order to receive permission for a leave of absence. Students granted a leave of absence may register for the next semester without filing a Reenter Application. For more information regarding Leave of Absences, contact the Counseling & Advisement Center at (718) 997-5420.
I'm confused about the P/NC option. How can I make up my mind when my mid-term isn't scheduled until after the P/NC deadline has passed?
In a situation like this it is very important for you to speak with you Professor and get a better idea on your status of that class. Let your Professor know that you are not certain on your grading and would not like to have a bad grade for that particular course.
Keep in mind that you cannot P/NC any of the following courses:
How does Summer Session work?
Queens College offers four (4) Summer Sessions: Sessions 1S (First Short) and 1L (First Long) starts in June; Sessions 2S (Second Short) and 2L (Second Long) starts in July. For session 1, students are allowed to complete up to 6 credits, and for session 2 students are allowed to complete up to 9 credits. A short session last for 4 weeks and a long session last for 6 weeks.
What are the hours for the bookstore on campus?
Where can I find information regarding available jobs?
A listing of available jobs is available through The Office of Career Development and Internship Office in the Frese Hall, Room 213. For further information call (718) 997-4465.
Are there computers available for student use?
Yes! Computers (PCs and Macs) are available in the Powdermake Hall, Room 210 & Second Floor of the I Building Room 200 . Visit OCT web site for Lab hours. Computers are also available on first floor of the Rosenthal Library
How do I get my foreign transfer credits evaluated?
All credits completed at institutions of higher education outside of the United States follow a 3-step evaluation procedure.
1. The Queens College Undergraduate Admissions/Transfer Division (Jefferson Hall 105) will review your international transcripts in order to determine how the credits you earned at the international institution translate into Queens College academic disciplines. You will receive this initial evaluation by mail.
If you have not received this initial evaluation, please visit the Transfer Division of Undergraduate Admissions.
2. Once you receive the credentials sheet, you must follow the same procedures as for the faculty evaluation. For example, if the Undergraduate Admissions Office determined that you have earned the equivalent of 9 credits of Sociology and 15 credits of Music, you must go to the Sociology Department and the Music Department to have the credit transferred to a Queens College equivalent course by the faculty evaluators responsible for international evaluations.
Note: Faculty evaluators are not permitted to modify the number of credits. Faculty evaluators are responsible for determining course equivalencies, not the number of credits.
Tip: If you need to visit multiple departments for faculty evaluations, you should consider attending the Transfer Credit Evaluation Program. Speak with an advisor for more information.
3. Once you have visited all departments indicated on the credentials sheet, you must return to the Undergraduate Admissions/Transfer Division (Jefferson 105) and submit the credentials sheet for final verification by the international credit evaluator. Once the credentials sheet is verified, course equivalencies will then be recorded on your Queens College transcript.
Tip: Once your course equivalencies and transfer credits are posted on your Queens College transcript, you should speak with an academic advisor and find out which requirements have been satisfied based on your international credits.
