Graduate Admissions Policy

Graduate Admissions Policy

Sponsor:

 School for Graduate Studies and School of Nursing and Allied Health

Contact:

 Director of Graduate Outreach and Admissions

Category:

 Graduate Studies

Number:

 800.002

Effective Date:

 02/01/2024

Implementation History:

 Approved, March 2001, Revised and Senate approved May 2011, February 2022, and June 2022.

Keywords:

 Graduate, Admissions, Certificates, Degree, Defer, Cohort-based, Limited-seat

Background Information:

Purpose

To establish policy on admission to the graduate degree programs and advanced certificates.

Definitions

Academic Program: defined in the New York State Education Regulations as the “formal educational requirements necessary to qualify for certificates or degrees [and] …includes general education or specialized study in depth in a particular field, or both.” These academic programs are represented by the program titles under which the state education department has registered the university's degree programs.

Degree Programs: Academic programs in which the end result is a graduate degree. This definition applies to degrees at the Master’s and Doctoral levels.

Advanced Certificates: A post-baccalaureate certificate composed of graduate level coursework. Advanced certificate study is separate from that of study in preparation for a degree in that a student must apply separately for degree program study.

Certificates of Advanced Study: Post-master’s certificate that permits students to further their knowledge through detailed study.

Statements

A. Degree Programs

Admission to the graduate degree programs at Empire State University is selective. Criteria for admission includes:

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

  • Documented completion of a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution for doctoral degree consideration.
  • An appropriate correlation between the candidate's objectives and the particular graduate program to which they are 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 they are applying, including completion of any required prerequisites, entrance exams, and licenses.

The dean of the appropriate school, upon the recommendation of the graduate faculty, makes the final decision regarding admission.

B. 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.

C. Certificates of Advanced Study

Criteria for admission includes:

  • Documented completion of a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Additional documentation including any required licenses or entrance exams.
  • Applicants to the certificate of advanced study programs will be admitted once all required application materials are submitted.

It is the policy of Empire State University, State University of New York, to provide equal opportunity in education and employment for all qualified persons and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or marital status.

Applicants must complete the admissions process within one year of submitting an application. 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 appropriate school. 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).

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 polices, 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.

Applicable Legislation and Regulations

Related References, Policies, Procedures, Forms and Appendices

  • Graduate Minimum Study Policy
  • Graduate Nonmatriculated Enrollment Policy
  • Procedure for applying to graduate degree programs and advanced certificates
  • Appeal procedure for denied graduate applicants