Skip to main content

Undergraduate Admissions


Degree Programs

Currently, programs are offered leading to undergraduate degrees in the following majors:

Bachelor of Engineering

  • Biomedical Engineering

  • Chemical Engineering

  • Civil Engineering

  • Computer Engineering

  • Earth System Science and Environmental Engineering

  • Electrical Engineering

  • Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor of Science

  • Computer Science

Freshman Admission Requirements

For information about academic requirements, application procedures, placement examinations, and special admissions programs, consult the Admissions section of this Bulletin.

Because mathematics and physics are of such great importance in engineering, it is recommended that students choose as many courses as possible in these subjects while still in high school. High school students should also concentrate on perfecting their use of English in reading and writing.

Transfer Students

Information about admission requirements, application procedures, placement examinations, and evaluation of transfer credits can be found in the Admissions section of this Bulletin. For other questions, refer to the Office of Admissions, A-101, (212) 650-6977.

Changing majors, from another college or within CCNY, will usually delay graduation because not all prior courses will apply to the new degree.

External Transfers

Transfer students are admitted to the Grove School of Engineering or directed to the College of Liberal Arts and Science on the basis of the math and science courses they have completed, the total number of credits completed, and their college (sometimes high school) GPA. Students who do not meet Grove School of Engineering criteria but who are otherwise eligible for admission to City College may enter the College of Liberal Arts and Science (CLAS).

Students pursuing a degree in Engineering Technology should note that no technical courses in the technology program are transferable to any engineering program. Many engineering courses in associate degree programs do not transfer because they are based on less prerequisite knowledge than GSoE courses with similar titles or descriptions. For more information about articulation with CUNY colleges call (212) 650-8020. All final decisions regarding the transferability of courses remain with the College and the School of Engineering.

Students at other colleges who eventually wish to continue in engineering are advised to select math and science courses such as calculus, calculus-based physics, and college chemistry.

In most cases, the credit structures at each college are different and students are likely to lose some credits in the transfer process. Because of this fact, and also because the adjustment process may be somewhat easier, students may find it advantageous to transfer at the earliest point allowed by regulations. The recommended alternative is to start at City College as a freshman.

Internal Transfers

Students at CCNY who initially pursue a degree other than those offered by the Grove School of Engineering must satisfy the same course and grade entrance criteria required of students transferring from other institutions, as described in the Admissions section.  Contact Undergraduate Studies (ST 209/ST 2M7; 212-650-8020) for information about the application process.

Students without a major who do not qualify for internal transfer to GSoE may seek advising from the New Student Experience Center (MR 053, 212-650-8290) or Gateway Academic Center (NAC 1/219, 212-650-6115).

Transferring Between GSoE Programs

Students are strongly advised to consult with an advisor when contemplating a new major program. It is often possible to transfer from one field to another during the first few semesters with little or no loss of credit. Transferring to a new GSoE program requires prior approval of the program to which students wish to switch.

Second-Degree Students

Students holding a valid undergraduate (four-year) or graduate degree from an accredited college and wishing to obtain an undergraduate degree in engineering or computer science will be admitted to the Grove School of Engineering based on a transcript evaluation by the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies. Second Degree students must fulfill all the same admission requirements as transfer students. Upon admission, the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies will develop a suitable program for the student, which will generally waive some of the degree requirements satisfied during the attainment of the earlier degree. Students may not deviate from this program without the written approval of the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Affairs. Students must apply for admission at least three months before the start of the semester they wish to enter. Students wishing to enter with second degree status should first visit the Admissions Office or website to obtain basic information as well as the proper forms. The second degree cannot be the same subject as the first. Students must meet the departmental residency requirements described below.

Joint/Dual Degree Students

The Grove School of Engineering has established several areas of study as jointly registered dual programs with Eugenio Maria De Hostos Community College (Hostos) and LaGuardia Community College. Students who are in these programs, and successfully attain the A.S. degree in engineering at either of the two schools, and fulfill the Grove School of Engineering’s admission requirements for transfer students, are admitted to the Grove School of Engineering at the junior level, where they complete the additional course requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering degree.

The coursework necessary to earn the AS degree as part of a joint/dual degree program fulfills the course requirements of the corresponding courses in the Bachelors Degree programs at the Grove School of Engineering.

Note that the above applies only to the following two-year school engineering programs:

Maria De Hostos Community College

  • Chemical Engineering

  • Civil Engineering

  • Electrical Engineering

  • Mechanical Engineering

LaGuardia Community College

  • Civil Engineering

  • Electrical Engineering

  • Mechanical Engineering

  • For more information on the joint/dual degree engineering programs, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Studies (Steinman Hall Room 209, 212-650-8020).

Evening Students

The Grove School of Engineering offers some evening courses, but many major courses in all curricula are available only during the day.

Residency Requirements for Graduation

To obtain a degree, every transfer student and second-degree student at the Grove School of Engineering must satisfy the residency requirement of his or her chosen program. This specifies the minimum number of upper-level credits that a student must take at City College in the department(s) of the major, and must be met regardless of the number of major transfer credits the student may claim. Students applying for admission should be aware of this requirement, which is described fully in the upcoming section "Overview of the Curricula."

Transfer Credits

Transfer credit is given only for courses completed in properly accredited programs, if their material fully covers that of a similar City College course. Students must provide sufficiently detailed, authenticated curricular materials in order for course equivalency to be established. No credit will be applied for any course in which a grade lower than a “C” was obtained, and no credit will be given in which a pass/fail grading system was used.

Students should note that some transfer credits might not satisfy their particular degree requirements, but may instead be granted in the form of elective credits.

Foreign students may in some cases receive credit by examination. Before being allowed to take such an examination, the student must provide evidence that he or she has had similar courses.

The above notwithstanding, the Grove School of Engineering reserves the right to withhold transfer credit for any academic reason it considers justifiable.