New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 8 - EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Chapter I - Rules of the Board Of Regents
Part 3 - University Of The State Of New York; State Education Department
Diplomas and Degrees
Section 3.54 - Definition and classification of degrees
Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 39, September 25, 2024
Education Law, § 6401
For purposes of apportioning State aid pursuant to section 6401 of the Education Law, earned degrees are classified as follows:
(a) An earned associate degree shall represent completion of two academic years of full-time study or an equivalent which can be shown to accomplish the same goals.
(b) An earned bachelor's degree shall represent completion of four academic years of full- time study or an equivalent which can be shown to accomplish the same goals.
(c) An earned master's degree shall represent completion of one academic year of graduate- level study or an equivalent that can be shown to accomplish the same goals. For purposes of apportioning State aid only, the following degrees shall be classified with earned master's degrees: bachelor of laws (LL.B.); doctor of law (J.D.); master of comparative jurisprudence (M.C.J.); master of comparative law (M.C.L.); master of laws (LL.M.).
(d) An earned doctoral degree shall represent completion of three academic years of graduate-level study or an equivalent that can be shown to accomplish the same goals. Doctoral studies shall include the production of a substantial report on research, or the independent investigation of a topic of significance to the field of study, or the production of an appropriate creative work, or the development of advanced professional skills. For purposes of apportioning State aid only, the following degrees shall be classified with an earned doctoral degree: doctor of dental surgery (D.D.S.); doctor of medicine (M.D.); doctor of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.); doctor of medical science (Med.Sc.D.); doctor of chiropractic (D.C.); doctor of osteopathy (D.O.); doctor of juridical science (S.J.D.); and doctor of science of law (J.S.D.).
(e) An earned master of philosophy degree shall represent completion of all requirements for the doctor of philosophy degree except the dissertation, but shall not constitute a separate degree for the purpose of this section or of Education Law, section 6401.
