Individualized Studies for
Independent Minds
What Is CUNY Baccalaureate?
An individualized, University-wide bachelor’s degree for
highly-motivated, self-directed students.
Work with Faculty Mentors
Students work with CUNY faculty members to
develop one or two coherent and meaningful areas of
concentration (similar to majors).
Individualized Study: Energy Resource Policy
Independent Mind: Clint Porter
Baruch
Baruch
CCNY
CCNY
CCNY
CCNY
CCNY
CCNY
Energy Resource Policy
EES 4900 Topics in Environmental Science
P SC 5000 Internship (Solar Electric Power Association,
Washington, DC)
P SC 223 U.S. Foreign Policy
P SC 236 Latin American Political Systems
P SC 355 Environmental Politics
P SC 310 Independent Study (Domestic Energy Policy in
Underdeveloped Areas of Latin America)
P SC 310 Internship (Center for Sustainable Energy,
Bronx Community College)
P SC 312 Selected Topics in Political Science
His Faculty Mentor: Prof. Sherrie Baver, Political Science, City College
His Next Step: Even before graduating, Porter was offered a job in sales and marketing
with Kaco Solar, Inc., USA, an international company that manufacturers photovoltaic
inverters.
Individualized Study: Theatre and Social Change
Independent Mind: Kayhan Irani
Brooklyn
CCNY
CCNY
CCNY
CCNY
CCNY
Hunter
Grad Center/SPS
Grad Center/SPS
Theatre and Social Change
THEA 83 Indep. Research (Political Theater)
ANTH 230 Political Mobilization and Change
PHIL 311 Special Topics: Theory of Action
P SC 312 Seminar in Community Organizing
P SC 314 Selected Topics: Political Science,
A Cross Cultural Perspective
P SC 324 Politics of Protest
THEA 214 Multicultural Perspectives in
Theatrical Performance
TACP 602 Theater of the Oppressed
TACP 603 Creating Meaning through
Community Drama
Her Faculty Mentors: Prof. John Krinsky, Political Science, City College
Prof. Dale Byan, Theater, Brooklyn College
Her Next Step: Upon graduation, Irani toured to promote the book she co-edited, Telling
Stories to Change the World (Routledge, 2008), and accepted a position with the New York
City Mayor’s Office of Adult Education as Director of Outreach/Writer for We Are New York,
a new TV sitcom for immigrant New Yorkers.
Individualized Study: The African Diaspora in the Americas
Independent Mind: Easter Wood
Baruch
Baruch
CCNY
CCNY
CCNY
CCNY
CCNY
Hunter
The African Diaspora in the Americas
BLST 3024 Women of Color in the Americas
BLST 4900 African and Latino Diasporas in America
BLST 318 African American Literature
ENGL 310 Independent Study (Apollo Curriculum Project)
ENGL 312 Caribbean Ghosts, Colonial Spirits
ENGL 318 Blues Aesthetic
HIST 377 Comparative Slavery
AFST 205 African American Politics of Social Change
Her Faculty Mentor: Prof. Jo-Ann Hamilton, English/Black Studies, City College
Her Next Step: After speaking on behalf of her graduating class at the CUNY BA/BS
commencement, Wood traveled back to tour the African continent, then returned to City
College to start her Master’s in History as a New York Life Graduate Fellow. And she intends
to pursue a Ph.D. in Africana Studies.
Self-Directed Learning: Independent Studies,
Internships, Etc.
CUNY BA/BS Student: Heather McCown
Focus: Sustainable Transportation
Independent Studies:
Heather McCown &Professor Amy Green
•Established a nonprofit organization called
Sunset-Ridge Waterfront Alliance (SRWA)
•Started a petition drive, collecting 2,000+
signatures in support of reinstating the 69th St.
Pier ferry
•Created an annual environmental festival
•Initiated the SRWA Green Youth Award Program
•John Jay College
HIST 389 Independent Study
Afloat: Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Ferry
Service in NYC
•John Jay College
SPE 389 Independent Study
Public Transportation, Public Discourse
Study Abroad
•
CUNY offers study abroad programs in 29
countries, from Antigua to Vietnam
•
CUNY BA/BS students are eligible for an
International Foundation for Study Abroad
(IFSA) scholarship of $5,500 for full
semester study
•
CUNYBA/BS holds an informational forum
about study abroad annually
CUNY BA/BS students have recently studied in China, Venezuela, Belize, Guatemala, Egypt,
France, Dubai, India, Germany and Austria.
Thomas W. Smith
• Founder and managing
partner of Prescott Investors;
serves on the board of several
corporate and nonprofit
organizations.
• First private benefactor of the
program; has given over 3
million dollars over the last 14
years
• Funds the highest achieving
CUNY BA/BS scholars
Tom Smith and Smith Fellow, Tyleen Kelly
•
Over 500 students have
received the Thomas W. Smith
Academic Fellowship (full
tuition & small stipend until
graduation)
Additional Scholarships
• Harriet Brows Scholarship
• Daniel E. Smith Scholarship for Returning
Women
• Memorial Scholarship for Students in Education
or Human Services
• Albert Simic Scholarship for Actors
• International Foundation for Study Abroad
(IFSA) Scholarship
Graduates
• Graduates routinely receive
promotions or raises
•
Many have begun new careers
in public service, business, and
various other professions
•
Nearly 80% hold jobs in fields
related to their areas of
concentration*
•
Almost 50% continue on to
graduate schools, half of them
attending a CUNY graduate
program*
*According to a recent survey
Recent Graduate School
Acceptances
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CUNY Graduate Center
Central European University
Emory University
Georgetown Law School
Harvard Divinity School
London University
Rutgers University
Teachers College/Columbia University
Yale University
Admissions Criteria
• Matriculated at a CUNY college
• Have passed or been exempted from the CUNY
Assessment Tests (CAT)
• 15 credits of prior academic history
• Minimum 2.50 GPA
• Well-written Personal Statement
• Strong letter of recommendation
• Coherent area of concentration proposal outlining a
unique or interdisciplinary course of study
Contact Us
CUNY Baccalaureate for
Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies
The Graduate Center, Suite 6412
365 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10016
CUNYBA@gc.cuny.edu
Main Office: 212.817.8220
Registrar’s Office: 212.817.8227
Admissions Office: 212.817.8230
Fax: 212.817.1512