NYU undergraduates are typically required to complete 128 credits to receive their degrees. Most students accomplish this in the traditional four-year period. However, over 10% of undergraduates are using AP, IB or transfer credits as well as January or Summer terms to finish early.

NYU empowers students to map pathways that take full advantage of NYU's academic offerings while still having a complete and rich college experience. With their academic advisors, NYU students can explore a range of academic options — including interdisciplinary University Courses on timely topics as well as one-credit and two-credit courses that have been added across the university — to complete their course requirements in a shorter period of time. Ask your academic advisor today if finishing early makes sense for you.

Traditional 4-Year Pathway

Most students complete their required credits in the traditional four-year period. This pathway consists of eight of the typical fall and spring semesters with an average credit load of 16 credits per semester. January term or Summer sessions are not utilized.

A horizontal timeline showing a four-year undergraduate academic path. Each academic year is divided into fall and spring semesters, with each semester labeled “16 credits.” Academic Year 1 includes fall and spring semesters, followed by Year 2, Year 3, and Year 4, each with the same 16-credit fall and spring structure. The timeline ends with a graduation cap icon, indicating degree completion at the end of the fourth year.

Alternative Pathways to 128 Credits

Depending on your academic program, various options exist for accelerating your study, and can include study away at an NYU global site.

Accelerated paths can save time and money. These paths use some combination of:

  • Additional 1- or 2-credit courses in Fall or Spring
  • J-Term courses
  • Summer courses
  • Advanced-standing credits (e.g. AP or IB)

Example: Graduate in 3.5 Years

With no AP or IB credits, you still can graduate in 3.5 years if you take classes during J-term and/or Summer sessions.

A horizontal timeline illustrating an alternative undergraduate academic path across four academic years. Academic Year 1 includes a fall semester with 16 credits and a spring semester with 18 credits. Year 2 shows a fall semester with 16 credits, a January term with 2 credits, a spring semester with 16 credits, and a summer term with 8 credits. Year 3 includes a fall semester with 18 credits and a spring semester with 18 credits. Year 4 shows a fall semester with 16 credits and ends with a graduation cap icon, indicating degree completion.

Example: Graduate in 3 Years

With more classes taken outside the Fall and Spring semesters, possibly combined with advanced-standing credits, you can graduate in 3 years. This example shows the use of 8 AP or IB credits, along with two Summers.

A horizontal timeline showing an undergraduate academic path that includes credits earned before enrolling at NYU. On the left, a section labeled “Before NYU” shows 8 credits earned through AP or IB coursework. Academic Year 1 includes a fall semester with 16 credits, a spring semester with 16 credits, and a summer term with 8 credits. Year 2 includes a fall semester with 18 credits, a spring semester with 18 credits, and a summer term with 8 credits. Year 3 shows a fall semester with 18 credits and a spring semester with 18 credits and ends with a graduation cap icon, indicating degree completion.

The best way to explore your options is to talk with your academic advisor.