The requirements for the bachelor's degree programs must be completed within four years of first registration, except with the explicit consent of the dean. Requests for extension must be presented in writing to the dean prior to the sixth semester of registration (or the end of the third year). Departmental chair's approval is also required. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain normal and reasonable progress toward the degree. If courses are made up elsewhere for credit, the student is responsible for all costs incurred. Prior appropriate departmental approval is required.

The minimum degree requirements for all bachelor's programs in the School of Engineering are:

1. A minimum of 135 credits.
2. Completion of the 55-credit core program described below.
3. A minimum of 24 credits in the Humanities and Social Sciences (inclusive of the 12 credits in the core program).
4. Satisfaction of the departmental requirements.
5. Satisfaction of the residence study requirement.
6. A minimum cumulative grade point rating (grade point average) of 2.0.
7. A minimum 2.0 academic rating for the junior and senior years combined.

The 55-credit core program consists of 19 courses in the following subject areas:

These courses are scheduled in the first and second years in accordance with the table shown below. All first-year students in the School of Engineering follow the same program, subject only to personal variations as a result of advanced placement and transfer credit. Course CS 102, Computer Programming for Engineers, is sometimes offered in the summer and may be taken prior to the start of the first year.

Core Curriculum of the School of Engineering

Cooper Union also offers a Master of Engineering program that integrates work at the undergraduate and graduate levels and prepares graduates for entry into the engineering profession at an advanced level or for further graduate study.