2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide
College of Community and Public Affairs
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About
The College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA) The college comprises five departments: human development; public administration; social work; higher education and student affairs; and teaching, learning and educational leadership. In addition, the Institute for Justice and Well-Being is housed in the college. CCPA is strongly committed to community partnerships and the synergies between theory and practice that underlie the teaching, research, scholarly productivity and public service of its departments.
CCPA provides undergraduate and graduate programs to traditional and non-traditional full-time and part-time students. The college offers undergraduate degrees in human development (BS) and social work (BSW); master’s degree programs in human rights (MS), public administration (MPA), social work (MSW), higher education and student affairs (MS) and degree programs in education (MA, MAT, MS, MSEd); and doctoral degrees in educational theory, research and practice (EdD) and in community research and action (PhD). Additionally, interdisciplinary master’s degree programs are offered in public health (MPH) in collaboration with Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences and in sustainable communities (MA, MS) in collaboration with Harpur College of Arts and Sciences. The MPA, BSW and MSW are nationally accredited degrees.
Certificates of Advanced Studies (CAS) offered in MPA are: genocide and mass atrocity prevention (GMAP), local government management, and nonprofit management. A Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Human Rights is offered through the human development department. The department of teaching, learning and educational leadership offers Certificates of Advanced Studies (CAS) in community schools, educational leadership, adolescence special education, teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL: CR ITI).
CCPA Undergraduate Information
The college generally follows the academic policies announced in this publication; however, students should be aware of the following policies pertinent to CCPA undergraduates only. Students are expected to be familiar with and to observe the regulations in this section. All matriculated students follow the requirements for graduation listed in the Guide current at the time they are admitted to the degree program. However, students who interrupt enrollments for more than two consecutive semesters are governed by the Guide in effect when they are readmitted.
Upon the program advisor’s recommendation and an approved petition through the department chair or deans, students may elect a later Guide under which they fulfill these degree requirements; however, they may not use a combination of requirements from different Guides or elect an older Guide. When courses required in older Guides are no longer offered, or in other special cases, course substitution may be made with the approval of the department chairs, departmental advisors or deans.
Program Load and Planning
The term “full-time student” is applied to a person carrying 12 credits or more. The maximum number of credits a student may take, without the special approval of the advisor and department chair, is 18.
A student may drop below 12 credits without consent and be classified as a part-time student, but it is strongly recommended that they meet with their advisor to discuss potential impacts on financial aid and degree progression.
Departments may provide assistance in program planning for students.
Grade Policies
Students taking CCPA undergraduate courses are graded in one of two ways:
- Standard letter grades of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, F; or
- Pass/Fail grades of P or F, with P defined as an equivalent of D or better.
Courses under the normal grading system are taken for standard letter grades. However, undergraduates in CCPA may elect the pass/fail option for a total of four courses while a student at Binghamton University and receive a P (pass) or F (fail) rather than a traditional letter grade. Courses taken for a pass/fail option may not be used to complete major requirements or the General Education requirements. Mandatory pass/fail courses do not count as part of the four total courses. A course taken on the pass/fail option is calculated into the student’s grade-point average only if the student receives an F.
The grading option for a course may be changed (either from letter to pass/fail, or vice versa) at any time between the first day of classes until the course-withdrawal deadline, usually during the ninth week of the semester during the fall and spring semesters. Students who have made the decision to change their grade option may do so via BU BRAIN by navigating to the Student tab and clicking Registration.
Repeating Courses
Students may retake courses required for the major in which they have received failed to meet the minimum grade requirement of C or better. Students may also repeat a course that they have previously passed in order to demonstrate mastery of a given subject matter upon which successful performance in later courses may depend. When a student repeats a course previously passed, both grades appear on the transcript, but only the first grade is counted in the grade-point average (GPA) calculations. The repeated course does not count toward hours attempted or hours completed. The transcript will bear a footnote reading “credit not applied toward degree” for the repeated courses.
Students may retake courses required for the major in which they have received a failing grade. When a student repeats a course previously failed, both grades appear on the transcript, and both grades are counted in the GPA.
If a student repeats a course, whether due to a failing grade or to receive a better grade, those credits will be counted as attempted for purposes of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and federal aid calculations to determine rate of completion and maximum time frame rules. Refer to the academic progress website for additional information. Students are encouraged to speak with their CCPA undergraduate academic advisor as they make their decision about repeating any failed course.
Notation of Incomplete
A notation of Incomplete, rather than a grade, may be reported by the instructor when a student has made substantial progress, but has not been able to complete a course. In addition, the student must have a valid reason, because of illness or other justifiable circumstances, for requesting an Incomplete. The questions of substantial progress, potential to pass the course, and a valid reason for the request are decided by the instructor. When requesting an Incomplete, the student must:
- complete the Contract for Fulfilling an Incomplete form, which is signed by the student and the instructor;
- specify in the contract how the course will be completed, by what date the work will be completed, and specifically list all outstanding assignments (tests, papers, presentations) to be completed;
- submit the contract to the CCPA undergraduate academic advisor for the program, who ensures that the student is in compliance with department rules governing the number of Incomplete credits a student may carry at one time. A student may not carry more than eight credits of Incompletes at any time;
- when necessary, include the signature of any additional instructor needed for successful completion of the course. This circumstance may occur when the original faculty member is on sabbatical or no longer teaching the course. A student must first obtain the secondary instructor’s signature before having the original instructor sign the form.
An Incomplete becomes an F at the end of the semester following that in which the Incomplete was granted, unless a Change of Grade Form is submitted by the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to ascertain that the coursework has been completed according to the contract, and the new grade is submitted by the instructor. An extension of the deadline must be approved by the CCPA undergraduate academic advisor on a Request for Extension of Incomplete Grade in an Undergraduate Course form, and is approved only in highly unusual circumstances.
Grade Changes
No changes from one letter grade to another or extensions of an Incomplete are permitted after 12 months from the date of the last day of class in the semester in which a course was offered.
Withdrawal from a Course
Students may withdraw from all but one course between the add/drop deadline and the course withdrawal deadline. Courses dropped during this period receive a notation of W. Students may be permitted to withdraw from courses after the withdrawal deadline only if they cite extraordinary extenuating circumstances and successfully petition through BU BRAIN. Courses dropped late by petition result in a W notation on the student’s transcript.
University Withdrawal
Students who decide to withdraw from all courses for which they are registered at any time between the published first day of classes and the last day of classes, and wish to remain in good standing, must complete the Undergraduate Semester Withdrawal Form. Mere absence from class does not constitute withdrawal. A grade of W is assigned when the student has withdrawn from all courses and thus, from the University. Grades of W do not count in GPA calculation, but may impact financial aid eligibility.
Prior to the Course Withdrawal Deadline: Students are permitted to withdraw from the University after consultation with the academic advising office of their college prior to the ninth week of classes. Medical withdrawals require additional approval from the Dean of Students. After the Course Withdrawal Deadline: Students requesting to withdraw from the University after the ninth week of classes must consult with the academic advising office of their college for consideration of this request. If there is no previous withdrawal on the student’s record, the request will be approved. Students attempting a second (or more) semester withdrawal for nonmedical reasons will have their cases reviewed on an individual basis by the academic advising office of their college. Any student approved for multiple withdrawals must consult the academic advising office of their college for readmission procedures. Medical withdrawals require additional approval from the Dean of Students.
For more information on this process, see the Academic Policies and Procedures for All Students section (see subsection entitled Full University Withdrawal).
Readmission (or Re-enrollment)
CCPA follows the same readmission policies as established for the University.
Undergraduate students must apply for readmission through the Undergraduate Admissions Office. The exception is for students who withdraw from all classes during a major (fall or spring) semester. These students are able to return and can miss two consecutive semesters without having to re-enroll.
For more information on this process, see the Academic Policies and Procedures for Undergraduate Students section under the subsection entitled General Readmission (or Reenrollment) Policies.
Academic Standing
The faculty in the College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA) expect academic excellence from our students.
Students must maintain a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) to make satisfactory progress toward their degree. A minimum of a 2.0 cumulative GPA is required of all undergraduate students for graduation.
The GPA is calculated on a 4.0 system using the following grade-point equivalents:
A = 4.0 A- = 3.7 B+ = 3.3 B = 3.0 B- = 2.7
C+ = 2.3 C = 2.0 C- = 1.7 D = 1.0 F = 0.0
The assessment of satisfactory progress to degree will be conducted for students at the end of the fall and spring semesters. The failure to maintain a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of a semester will result in the student’s academic probation. As such, an academic probation notation will be placed on the student’s internal (unofficial) academic transcript.
Students who do not achieve a minimum of a cumulative 2.0 GPA in a subsequent semester following academic probation may be subject to academic suspension from Binghamton University. An academic suspension notation will be placed on a student’s internal (unofficial) academic transcript. Students who receive academic suspension may be readmitted to the University after one year. Note that students may be readmitted to the University after one semester upon the successful completion of 12 credits or more elsewhere, earning a grade of B or better in all courses taken at an accredited college or university.
Students who do not have the minimum of a 2.0 cumulative GPA in the semester following academic suspension, or any subsequent semester, may be subject to permanent academic dismissal from the University. Note that a student will not be suspended or dismissed if the student’s semester GPA is greater than a 2.0 GPA.
In cases where students demonstrate continuous unsatisfactory academic performance, including but not limited to, a consistent pattern of failing grades, multiple withdrawals and/or a low cumulative GPA, these circumstances may result in receiving a letter of academic warning. The letter of academic warning will indicate that academic probation will occur in the event that the student does not improve his/her academic performance in a subsequent semester. Those students who continue to demonstrate unsatisfactory academic performance in any subsequent semester may be subject to academic probation, followed by academic suspension, and ultimately, academic dismissal from the University.
Dean’s List
To qualify for the CCPA Dean’s List at the end of the fall or spring semesters, a student must have completed at least 12 credit hours for a letter grade with a 3.75 or better semester GPA, and have no missing or incomplete grades. Recognition is given for each semester in which students meet these criteria. The award is noted on the student’s academic transcript.
Graduation with Honors
Students with outstanding academic records receive honors upon graduation. To qualify, students must meet the cumulative grade-point averages specified below, have at least 48 graded Binghamton University credits, and have no missing grades or Incompletes. Honors are awarded as follows:
3.50-3.69 GPA: cum laude
3.70-3.84 GPA: magna cum laude
3.85-4.00 GPA: summa cum laude
The appropriate graduation honors are indicated on the diploma and on the final transcript.
Academic Honesty
The Student Academic Honesty Code can be reviewed in the University Guide section on Academic Policies and Procedures for All Students. In the event a violation of the Academic Honesty Code is suspected, the College of Community and Public Affairs’ procedures for resolving academic honesty cases will be followed. The CCPA Ethics and Integrity procedures can be viewed here.
Academic Grievance Procedure
If a student has a complaint about a grade or other academic grievances, the student should first try to resolve any grievance with their instructor. If, after meeting with the course instructor, the student wishes to pursue further action, he or she should meet with their program department chair to discuss options. A copy of the CCPA Grievance Procedure is available from the CCPA Deans Office.
Financial Aid
For information about financial aid, see the financial information section in the University Guide. Specific information about student eligibility for financial aid should be directed to the Financial Aid and Student Records Office.
Activities and Student Services
All CCPA students are eligible to receive the services provided for all students at Binghamton University and to participate in its various student activities. Students should be familiar with the Guide sections that deal with services for students and student activities.
Awards and Prizes
See the Scholarships, Awards, and Fellowships of the University Guide.
Admissions
Undergraduate Admission
The process for first-year and transfer students seeking admission to the College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA) is essentially the same as for other students applying for admission to the University.
First year and transfer applicants who apply and are accepted into the Bachelor of Science in Human Development (fall and spring) will be enrolled directly into the major.
Students who are interested in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program and who are accepted (fall admission only) will fall under one of the following:
- Transfer students with junior standing who have directly applied to the BSW program and been admitted are enrolled in the major
- Transfer students interested in the BSW program who have completed less than two years of coursework at an accredited college or university, but have not earned an associates or bachelors degree in any field, are accepted into the CCPA-Undeclared program. These students will need to internally apply to the BSW program once they reach sophomore standing and have earned 56 credits
- Traditional first-year applicants who are accepted and entering into the CCPA-Undeclared program will need to internally apply to the BSW program during the spring semester if they have sophomore standing and wish to continue with their BSW.
Students applying to the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program may find additional admission requirement information under the BSW Undergraduate Program section of this Guide and via the BSW admissions website.
Transfer of Credit to CCPA Undergraduate Majors
Undergraduate students who are applying to human development must have earned a grade of Cor better from an accredited college or university to receive credit for transfer courses fulfilling General Education credits or electives, including those completed as part of the associate degree. In cases where questions arise about whether a course will transfer, the department of human development will review the course and provide a recommendation about the status of a course.
Note that core HDEV learning areas along with HDEV 200 (Introduction to Human Development), HDEV 300 (Social Science Research Methods), HDEV 400 (Social Justice) and HDEV 475 (Practicum in Human Development) are not transferable courses and must be taken within the Department of Human Development at Binghamton University.
Undergraduate students applying to the CCPA-Undeclared or BSW program must have earned a grade of C- or better from an accredited college or university to receive credit for transfer courses fulfilling General Education credits or electives, including those completed as part of the associate degree. Note that core BSW courses (SW 303, 304, 305, 315, 410, 411, 412, 491, 492, 495 and 496) are not transferable courses and must be taken within the Department of Social Work at Binghamton University.
Questions concerning the transfer of academic and advanced-standing credit should be addressed to the director of undergraduate student services. Official transcripts and certificates of completion submitted by applicants for transfer credit are evaluated by the director of undergraduate student services.
College of Community and Public Affairs - Combined Undergraduate/Graduate
Students have the opportunity to complete both their undergraduate and graduate degree within five years in one of our 4+1 programs. Courses taken during a student’s senior year count towards their undergraduate degree while fulfilling requirements of their graduate degree. In the student’s fifth year (as a new graduate student) courses taken complete the master’s degree. The 4+1 programs are a great opportunity to save time and money. Students interested in enrolling in one of these programs should speak with their program advisor prior to their senior year to discuss the application process and admission requirements. Visit our website or see the Academic Program section below for additional information on existing 4+1 programs and other accelerated programs.
College of Community and Public Affairs - Graduate
Binghamton University’s College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA) provides an array of programs for its students, preparing CCPA graduates to work with individuals, communities and organizations for the public good and focusing specifically on social services, local government, schools, higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations.
- The College of Community and Public Affairs offers an interdisciplinary doctoral program leading to the PhD in Community Research and Action.
- The Department of Human Development offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Science (MS) in Human Rights and certificate of advanced studies (CAS) in Human Rights.
- The Department of Public Administration and Policy offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree and also offers graduate certificates.
- The Department of Social Work offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.
- The Department of Higher Education and Student Affairs offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Science (MS) in Higher Education and Student Affairs.
- The Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership offers graduate programs that lead to certificates and degrees (CAS, EdD, MA, MAT, MS, MSEd) in education and school leadership.
Please see the Academic Programs section below for detailed information about each of CCPA’s programs.
Academic Programs
Below you will find information on all of CCPA’s academic programs.
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