The LE1 Program

Introduction

The Dual/Joint A.A./B.A. Degree Program, is an innovative program that is designed to assure timely completion of degree requirements and a smooth transition between QCC and QC. Students will earn the AA in Liberal Arts from QCC and then proceed without interruption to QC where they will complete the degree requirements for the BA with Elementary Education Certification and an academic major. The program is open to all students who have been admitted to QCC under the open admissions policy of the City University of New York. Students must follow a specific course of study and complete their two-year degree at QCC with the required cumulative grade point average (GPA) to be guaranteed acceptance to QC. Students who do not meet the program eligibility requirements or who are unsure of their major or choice of four-year college can continue at QCC and transfer through the traditional transfer.

In recent years, the increasing demand for teachers has become critical. New York City will need over 54,000 teachers over the next five years to replace retiring teachers and to staff additional classes for the increasing city population. Additionally, the number of minority students in primary and secondary schools is rising, and more than a third of today’s non-white teachers are expected to retire in the next five years. The Dual/Joint program is a response to the predicted teacher shortage nationwide, especially the shortage among minority teachers in the City of New York.

This program is designed to respond to the shortcomings within the teaching profession.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the program, students must meet the following requirements:

• Students who were denied acceptance into Queens College.
• Students must be registered in the Liberal Arts and Sciences and Education A.A. transfer degree program (LE1).
• Passing score on the CUNY ACT in reading and writing and the CUNY Proficiency Exam (CPE).
• Complete EN-101 and ED-102 with a minimum grade of "B". If a grade of "B" is not achieved in both EN-101 and EN-102, then EN-213 must be completed with a grade of "B". Note: EN-213 does not count towards the degree.
• Complete ED-110 with a minimum grade of "B".
• Students must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.75 throughout the program.
• Grade of "B" in at least one course in each of the NYS core areas: Math, Science, Social Studies and English Language Arts.
• Math 120 or exemption
• Students are urged to meet with the Education Academic Advisor as early as possible in their academic careers. Official acceptance into the Division of Education at QC will be based upon the completion of the specified requirements.

The Program at Queensborough Community College

The Dual/Joint Degree program in Liberal Arts, Science and Education, coordinated by the Social Sciences Department is specifically for students who are interested in pursuing teaching as a career, and who plan to transfer to the Queens College School of Education. Successful completion of Queensborough’s Associate of Arts degree requirements (60 credits) in Liberal Arts, can lead to admission to Queens College where students will complete the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, Grades 1-6 provisional certification in teaching and a Liberal Arts co-major of their choice. The program has very specific academic requirements, which leads to the New York State provisional certification in teaching. It also ensures that the students’ course selection at Queensborough will simultaneously satisfy degree requirements at Queens College.

While a G.P.A. of 2.75 is the minimum requirement for consideration, it does not guarantee admission to the School of Education at Queens College. Students in this program are required to complete a Liberal Arts and Sciences major along with the Education major at Queens College. Queens College offers a wide range of liberal arts majors. The credit requirement for each major range from 27 credits to 89 credits.

• Please note: All Queens College students are required to have three years of High School foreign language or three semesters of the same foreign language in College. You must complete the language requirement before being accepted into the Elementary Education program. If you do not have three years of a foreign language and your native language is English, then you must take a minimum of two semesters of a foreign language at Queensborough Community College and one semester at Queens College. It is preferred that you complete these credits here at QCC. These credits will not be included in the credits required for graduation. If you have successfully completed three years of language in High School or your native language is a foreign language, then you must contact he Modern Language Department for certification.

Students who need additional skill development in reading, writing, mathematics and communication will be required to take basic skills and/or ESL courses.

What are the benefits for students?

Students participating in the Dual/Joint AA/BA Degree Program are eligible for:

• On-site admissions counseling at QCC.
• Orientation and Informational seminars.
• Joint academic advisement/counseling from QCC to QC early on in your academic career.
• Students are required to receive academic support services if needed.
• Field experiences.
• A smooth transition from QCC to QC.

Required Exams

Students who entered CUNY as first-time freshmen in the Fall of 1999 and after are required to pass the CUNY Proficiency Examination (CPE) to:

• Graduate from associate degree programs.
• Transfer into the upper division of a senior college.
• Advance from the lower division to the upper division to the upper division of a senior college.

You are eligible to take the exam once you have attained 45 credits or more. It is advised that you go to the Testing Office (L-408) and/or the Instructional Support Service (ISSC) for a copy of the exam, and to participate in any workshops being offered to familiarize yourself with the test.

As of September 1, 2003 all QCC students will be required to take the CPE.

Advisement and Counseling

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