All students must earn at least 120 credits, with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.000. Students admitted without placement into noncredit remedial courses can, with careful planning, complete their baccalaureate requirements in four years of full-time study. However, some programs may require additional credits and some programs may require that specific courses be taken in the first year to enable completion within four years.

Students matriculated (i.e., registered in pursuit of a degree) at the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) must earn 30 of their last 42 credits while registered in classes offered by Rutgers-New Brunswick or registered in special programs approved in writing by the Office of Advising and Academic Services. Students who transfer into SAS from other institutions with senior status must earn a minimum of 30 credits while registered as SAS students in order to receive a bachelor's degree from the school.