Admissions Policy for Graduate Programs

Empire State University admits students without regard to race, gender, disability, religion or national origin.

Applicants must complete the admissions process within one year of beginning the process. After one year, any application materials received by the admissions office will be purged.

Applications must be completed and submitted by the published deadline in order to be considered for admission to an upcoming term unless extended by the School for Graduate Studies. All graduate programs are term-based. Term options for initial enrollment are specific to the degree or certificate to which a student has been accepted (fall, spring, summer).

Admitted applicants may enroll initially in the graduate program within three calendar years from the date of their admission. Those who wish to initiate enrollment after this time must reapply for admission.

An applicant who is denied admission may apply again (to any Empire State University graduate degree program) after a period of one year from the prior date of application. Applicants who wish to appeal denial of admission may do so in a letter to the dean or designee of the appropriate school.

For most programs, admitted applicants may enroll initially in the graduate program within three calendar years from the date of admission.  Those who wish to initiate enrollment after this time must reapply for admission.

In some cohort-based or limited-seat enrollment programs, applicants must enroll in the program within one year, otherwise they must reapply.  These programs are identified in the graduate catalog, on the website and by the admission letter.

For programs with one-year acceptance policies, one-year deferrals are granted on a case-by-case basis for extenuating circumstances. Deferral requests must be submitted in writing to the appropriate graduate dean by July 15. There is no guarantee that the deferral request will be approved. Applicants whose requests are denied may reapply for admission.  Students approved for a one-year deferral are required to confirm intention for fall enrollment by January 31 of the following year.

Master’s Degree Programs

Admission to the graduate programs at Empire State University is selective.

Criteria for admission includes:

• documented completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution (applicants may be reviewed prior to completion of the bachelor's degree, but will not be able to enroll if admitted until a final official transcript with the graduation date is received).
• an appropriate correlation between the candidate's objectives and the particular graduate program to which she/he is applying
• evidence of the candidate’s preparation to pursue the subject matter and the ability to meet the academic demands of the program to which he/she is applying, including completion of any required prerequisites.

The dean of the School for Graduate Studies, upon the recommendation of the graduate faculty, makes the final decision regarding admission.

Advanced Certificates

Criteria for admission includes:

• documented completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants to the advanced-certificate programs will be admitted once all required application materials are submitted.