Admissions Policy for Graduate Programs

Empire State College 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 College 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 of the School for Graduate Studies.

Master’s Degree Programs

Admission to the graduate programs at Empire State College 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.