All College Requirements
- Foreign Language
- Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Science in Education (BSED) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Candidates
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) Candidates
- American Sign Language
- General Education
- Presentation Skills
- SUNY General Education
Foreign language
SUNY Cortland Requirements: All undergraduate students must demonstrate a minimum proficiency in foreign language by fulfilling one of the following requirements:
- successful completion of a one-semester college-level foreign language course (101) or the equivalent (e.g., earning CLEP or AP credits) or
- having earned a score of 85 or higher on the New York State Regents examination in a foreign language.
- additional degree requirements (noted below) as determined by degree
Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Education and Bachelor of Fine Arts Candidates
Students enrolled in a B.S., B.S. Ed., or B.F.A. program in the School of Arts and Sciences or the School of Professional Studies need only one semester of a foreign language with the exception of Speech and Language Disabilities majors, who must successfully complete the fourth semester (202) of a college-level foreign language sequence.
In addition, all SUNY Cortland students enrolled in a B.S. program in early childhood, childhood, early childhood and childhood, adolescence education, or inclusive special education must:
- successfully complete the second semester (102) of a college-level foreign language sequence or
- confirm proficiency equivalent to successful completion of the second semester (102) of a college-level foreign language sequence through a testing program approved by the International Communications and Culture Department.
- Note: Some departments require specified courses in foreign language in support of their major program requirements in addition to those described above.
Bachelor of Arts Candidates:
- successfully complete the fourth semester (202) of a college-level foreign language sequence or
- confirm proficiency equivalent to successful completion of the fourth semester (202) of a college-level foreign language sequence through a testing program approved by the Department of International Communications and Culture.
Students with no previous college-level credit who plan to meet the Bachelor of Arts foreign language requirements through course work in any of the languages SUNY Cortland offers will begin work at a level determined in consultation with an advisor according to guidelines established by the International Communications and Culture Department. The guidelines are based on criteria taking into account individual academic records.
American Sign Language
American Sign Language can meet the SUNY Cortland foreign language requirement for the following programs:
School of Arts and Sciences: Adolescence Education: Mathematics (7-12), Adolescence Education: Physics (7-12), Art-History, Art-Studio, New Media Design, Political Science, Psychology.
School of Education: Childhood Education, Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood/Childhood Education, Inclusive Special Education.
School of Professional Studies: Athletic Training, Fitness Development, Health Education, Health Science, Human Services, Kinesiology, Outdoor Recreation, Physical Education, Recreation, Recreation Management, Speech and Hearing Science, Speech and Language Disabilities, Sport Management, Therapeutic Recreation.
General Education
The purpose of a general education is to provide students with an intellectual and cultural basis for their development as informed individuals in our society. This requires that they understand the ideas that have formed our own civilization, that they appreciate other cultures and that they have knowledge of the fundamental principles that govern the physical universe.
The NEW Cortland General Education Program fulfills all SUNY General Education requirements and includes additional elements specific to the Cortland degree. Students will take one course in each of the learning outcome categories (listed on the link below) with the exception of (Category 2) Natural Sciences in which they must take two courses, (Category 9) Foreign Language where the requirement depends on degree program, and (Category 10) Basic Communication in which they must complete both academic writing and presentation skills areas. Please refer to the links below for detailed course information regarding the Cortland General Education Program.
Presentation Skills
To meet the learning objectives of the Basic Communication category of the SUNY General Education requirement, students must demonstrate proficiency in both oral and written communication. The Presentation Skills requirement will provide all students with the skills and experience in making oral presentations; improve students' abilities to organize thoughts and present them orally; and teach students self-critique and peer-critique oral presentation skills. As a requirement for graduation, all students will successfully complete one course designated as Presentation Skills (PRES) and/or successfully fulfill the Basic Communication Learning Outcome Category.