To accumulate 120 credits for the ACE bachelor’s degree, students follow this five-step sequence:

1. The Basic ACE Seminars 
This series of seminars, which counts for 35 of the 120 credits required for the degree, includes English Composition (3 cr.), Literature (3 cr.), Art and Music (6 cr.), Mathematical Literacy (3 cr.), Social Sciences (12 cr.), Biology or Chemistry—with a lab—(4 cr.), and Psychology (4 cr.).
Some of the courses meet once a week for 3-4 hours and are offered in the evenings and on Saturdays and Sundays. The seminars are designed to help returning and new college students refresh their skills and prepare them to choose a major.

2. Life Achievement Credits 
Students can apply for Life Achievement Credits upon completing approximately 35 ACE credits. To do this, students prepare a portfolio reflecting prior liberal arts learning in the workplace and/or community that may equate with courses offered at the college. The portfolios, which are evaluated by academic departments, can shorten the time it takes to earn the degree. For the fall 2009 semester, the Life Achievement portfolios are due in the ACE office by November 6, 2009. The Life Achievement Orientation for the fall 2009 semester will take place on September 16, 2009 in Kiely Hall Room TBA at 530pm 'til 630pm.

3. Selecting a Major
The third stage is choosing a major. A major is a concentrated field of study, possibly a new career path, a professional sequence, or an enrichment area. Queens College offers over 60 majors.

4. Finishing Basic Requirements
As work in the major field progresses, students should also work toward satisfying the foreign language requirement (or an alternative plan), physical education requirement (a special course offered for adults), and liberal arts electives.

5. Electives
Elective courses are taken to bring the total credits up to the 120 necessary to complete the degree.