GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: Distribution Requirement
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Students who matriculated at Hunter College between Fall 1986 and Spring 2001 are responsible for the Distribution Requirement (DR), a set of competencies, knowledge areas, and perspectives in the liberal arts: Science and Quantitative Reasoning, English Composition, Foreign Language, Literature, Humanities and the Arts, Social Science, and Pluralism and Diversity.

Download the DR Rules and Courses (PDF) and the DR Checklist for details, and the FAQs (frequently asked questions) for answers to general questions.

If you matriculated in Fall 2001 or thereafter, you are responsible for completion of the General Education Requirement (GER). If you matriculated prior to Fall 1986, you should meet with an Advisor in the Office of Student Services, 1119 East Building.

Science and Quantitative Reasoning
This category requires completion of courses from the following groups for a total of 10-12 credits:

            Group 1: Laboratory Science
            Group 2: Non-Laboratory Science
            Group 3: Quantitative Reasoning

Download the DR Rules and Courses (PDF) and the DR Checklist for details, and the FAQs (frequently asked questions) for answers to general questions.

Courses used to satisfy the major cannot be used to satisfy the DR, and no more than two courses per department or program may be applied to satisfy the DR. Exceptions to this rule are ENGL 120, which is required of all students, and the foreign language courses used to satisfy the Foreign Language requirement.

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English Composition
This category requires completion of ENGL 120, or its equivalent, no later than the second semester of attendance at Hunter College.

Download the DR Rules and Courses (PDF) and the DR Checklist for details, and the FAQs (frequently asked questions) for answers to general questions.

Courses used to satisfy the major cannot be used to satisfy the DR, and no more than two courses per department or program may be applied to satisfy the DR. Exceptions to this rule are ENGL 120, which is required of all students, and the foreign language courses used to satisfy the Foreign Language requirement.

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Foreign Language
All BA, BFA, and BMus students must complete four semesters of language courses (Levels 101, 102, 201, and 202) or an equivalent combination of college and high school study in the same language. Students in BS programs should check the requirements for their specific program. You may be exempt from this requirement if you:

• earned a high school diploma in a foreign country
  
• completed 4 years of foreign language in high school
  (one year of study in a single language beyond the New York State Regents Examination)
  
• passed an assessment examination administered by the appropriate Hunter department or a recommended testing services

The first semester course (Elementary I) of a four-course sequence will not be credited without completion of the second semester course (Elementary II).

Download the DR Rules and Courses (PDF) and the DR Checklist for details, and the FAQs (frequently asked questions) for answers to general questions. For information about applying for an exemption, see Academic Appeals.

Courses used to satisfy the major cannot be used to satisfy the DR, and no more than two courses per department or program may be applied to satisfy the DR. Exceptions to this rule are ENGL 120, which is required of all students, and the foreign language courses used to satisfy the Foreign Language requirement.

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Literature
This category requires completion of 3 credits in literature written in the English language (ENGL 220, AFPRL 235, AFPRL 236, or AFPRL 237), and 3 additional credits in literature from one of the following areas:

• literature originally written in English
  
• literature presented in English translation
  
• literature written in a foreign language and studied in that language

Download the DR Rules and Courses (PDF) and the DR Checklist for details, and the FAQs (frequently asked questions) for answers to general questions.

Courses used to satisfy the major cannot be used to satisfy the DR, and no more than two courses per department or program may be applied to satisfy the DR. Exceptions to this rule are ENGL 120, which is required of all students, and the foreign language courses used to satisfy the Foreign Language requirement.

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Humanities and the Arts
This category requires completion of courses from the following groups for a total of 9 credits:

            Group 1: (A maximum of 6 credits may be taken in this group.)
            Group 2: (A maximum of 6 credits may be taken in this group.)
            Group 3: (A maximum of 3 credits may be taken in this group.)

Download the DR Rules and Courses (PDF) and the DR Checklist for details, and the FAQs (frequently asked questions) for answers to general questions.

Courses used to satisfy the major cannot be used to satisfy the DR, and no more than two courses per department or program may be applied to satisfy the DR. Exceptions to this rule are ENGL 120, which is required of all students, and the foreign language courses used to satisfy the Foreign Language requirement.

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Social Science
This category requires completion of 12 credits within the following disciplines: AFPRL, ANTHC, ECO, HIS, GEOG, POLSC, PSYCH, SOC, and URBS. Students should note that the Cultural Anthropology (ANTHC 101, 126, 151) and/or Human Geography (GEOG 101, 221, 226, 251, 260) courses listed in this category cannot be used to satisfy the Science and Quantitative Reasoning requirement.

Download the DR Rules and Courses (PDF) and the DR Checklist for details, and the FAQs (frequently asked questions) for answers to general questions.

Courses used to satisfy the major cannot be used to satisfy the DR, and no more than two courses per department or program may be applied to satisfy the DR. Exceptions to this rule are ENGL 120, which is required of all students, and the foreign language courses used to satisfy the Foreign Language requirement.

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Pluralism and Diversity
All students who entered Hunter in Fall 1983 or later are required to complete 12 credits (3 credits in each of four groups) in designated courses that address issues of pluralism and diversity:

• non-European societies
  
• US groups: African, Asian, Latino, and Native American
  
• women and/or gender issues
  
• European societies

Download the DR Rules and Courses (PDF) and the DR Checklist for details, and the FAQs (frequently asked questions) for answers to general questions.

Courses used to satisfy the Pluralism and Diversity Requirement may simultaneously meet Distribution, major, or minor requirements.

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