Applying to a Graduate Program

A complete application consists of the following:

1. Online Application: Please read carefully and make sure you apply through the correct application system as the process for submitting transcripts varies.
   
   
2. Official transcripts (IMPORTANT):
   
   
   1. SUNY Empire State – Current Students and Graduates:
      You will not be required to submit your SUNY Empire transcript or previously submitted transcripts. We will collect the transcript information and add it to your application review in our SUNY Empire or the GradCAS application systems.
      
      
   2. If applying to the MBA in Business Management, MBA in Healthcare Leadership, Combined bachelors/MBA, MSN, or Graduate Nondegree programs ONLY - submit transcripts directly to SUNY Empire.
      All official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from regionally accredited institutions must be submitted directly from the issuing institution to the admissions office if applying to the MBA in Busiess Management, MBA in Healthcare Leadership, MSN, Graduate Nondegree study. Transcripts from a non-U.S. institution must be evaluated by a member organization of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). A course-by-course evaluation is required and reports must be submitted directly from an approved evaluation service to the admissions office at Empire State College to be considered official. Official transcripts should be mailed to: Admissions Office, SUNY Empire State College, 111 West Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 - Or electronic submission from college/university/evaluation service to Admissions@esc.edu. Empire State College graduates do not need to request a transcript.
      
      
   3. For ALL other graduate programs - apply through the GradCAS Application. All official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from regionally accredited institutions and foreign transcript evaluations must be submitted through GradCAS.
      
      
3. Essays: Required essay(s) are specific to the degree program. Use our Criteria for Admission Essays (opens in a new tab) to assist you. The application review committee weighs the quality of your essays very heavily in their decision about whether you will be admitted to the program. The essays must be original to this application and responsive to the specific questions (they are not intended to be writing samples drawn from previous undergraduate or professional writing assignments). If you use any material from other sources/authors, you must include appropriate academic documentation and citation. Your essays may also be used in the process of advisement in your degree program.
   
   
4. Resume/CV: A resume/CV including previous experience, education and other achievements.
   
   
5. Recommendations: We require two (2) recommendations from appropriately qualified persons. Personal references are not acceptable. We provide an online recommendation link that is emailed to the recommenders once you submit your application online. The online recommendation must be used (we do not accept mailed letters of recommendation). Current Empire State College undergraduate students applying for a combined bachelor's/master's degree program must include their primary mentor as one of their recommenders.
   
   
6. Entrance Exams: Test scores are optional and not required.
   
   
7. Teacher certification documentation: The M.Ed. in Adolescent Special Education (additional certification) requires that the applicant submit a copy of their active teaching license. Applicants to the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction must submit a copy of their active teaching license if they are completing the master’s degree for professional certification requirements.
   
   
8. English-language proficiency: Applicants for whom English is not the first language must submit proof of proficiency. The School for Graduate Studies will accept the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test scores taken within the last three years. You must score within the range of 79-94 on the TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) or 6.5-7 on the IELTS to be considered for admission to the Empire State College graduate degree programs. Applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution or from an institution where the instruction was given in English may be exempt. Due to COVID-19, the TOEFL is now being offered as a home test.
   
   
9. Transfer credit or previously earned graduate credit: If you are requesting acceptance of transfer credit from another graduate institution, or are a returning SUNY Empire graduate student hoping to utilize previously earned credit, please note that time limits do apply and you will not be able to include credit in your degree program that exceeds the time limit. For details, please consult the Graduate Catalog.
   
   
10. Orientation Fee of $50 (non-refundable) paid at the time of online application submission. If you possess a valid fee waiver code, you will enter that code in the payment screen within the online application.

To apply for graduate-level nursing programs, please review the information from the School of Nursing and Allied Health.

International graduate students may apply and enroll, if accepted, to any of the online degree or certificate programs offered by the School for Graduate Studies.

SUNY Empire State College is unable to issue I-20s to students who require an F-1 student visa to come to the U.S. If you wish to live in the U.S. to study, please see other State University of New York options at www.suny.edu. If you have questions about your visa status or eligibility to study at SUNY Empire State College, email admissions at Admissions@esc.edu or call 800-847-3000.

Canadian border commuter graduate students may also apply to any of the graduate programs that require attendance at weekend residencies.

A complete application consists of the following:

1. Online Application through GradCAS
   
   
2. Official transcripts:
   
   
   1. SUNY Empire State – Current Students and Graduates:
      You will not be required to submit your SUNY Empire transcript or previously submitted transcripts. We will collect the transcript information and add it to your application review in our SUNY Empire or the GradCAS application systems.
      
      
   2. GradCAS Application for admission (all other graduate programs):
      
      All official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from regionally accredited institutions and foreign transcript evaluations must be submitted through GradCAS.
      
      
3. Transfer credit or previously earned graduate credit: If you are requesting acceptance of transfer credit from another graduate institution, or are a returning SUNY Empire graduate student hoping to utilize previously earned credit, please note that time limits do apply and you will not be able to include credit in your degree program that exceeds the time limit. For details, please consult the Graduate Catalog.
   
   
4. Program Fee of $50 (non-refundable) paid at the time of online application submission. If you possess a valid fee waiver code, you will enter that code in the payment screen within the online application.

Admission into any of the combined programs is highly selective. Matriculated undergraduate students may apply to the combined program and will complete all of the application requirements for the master’s degree program. The admission application process includes a review of all course work completed and a minimum GPA of 3.2, two recommendations (one must be from his/her SUNY Empire State College undergraduate primary mentor), and application essays. Use our Criteria for Admission Essays (opens in a new tab) to assist you.

A complete application consists of the following:

1. Online Application: Please read carefully and make sure you apply through the correct application system as the process for submitting transcripts varies.
2. Official transcripts:
   
   
   • SUNY Empire State – Current Students and Graduates:
     You will not be required to submit your SUNY Empire transcript or previously submitted transcripts. We will collect the transcript information and add it to your application review in our SUNY Empire or the GradCAS application systems.
     
     
   • Application for admission to the following programs: Combined bachelors/MBA
     
     All official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from regionally accredited institutions must be submitted directly from the issuing institution to the admissions office. Transcripts from a non-U.S. institution must be evaluated by a member organization of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). A course-by-course evaluation is required and reports must be submitted directly from an approved evaluation service to the admissions office at Empire State College to be considered official. Official transcripts should be mailed to: Admissions Office, SUNY Empire State College, 111 West Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 - Or electronic submission from college/university/evaluation service to Admissions@esc.edu. Empire State College graduates do not need to request a transcript.
     
     
   • GradCAS Application for admission (all other Combined bachelors/masters programs):
     
     All official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from regionally accredited institutions and foreign transcript evaluations must be submitted through GradCAS.
3. Essays: Required essay(s) specific to the degree program. Use our Criteria for Admission Essays (opens in a new tab) to assist you. The application review committee weighs the quality of your essays very heavily in their decision about whether you will be admitted to the program. The essays must be original to this application and responsive to the specific questions (they are not intended to be writing samples drawn from previous undergraduate or professional writing assignments). If you use any material from other sources/authors, you must include appropriate academic documentation and citation. Your essays may also be used in the process of advisement in your degree program.
   
   
4. Resume: A resume including previous experience, education and other achievements.
   
   
5. Recommendations: Two recommendations from appropriately qualified persons are required. Personal references are not acceptable. The School for Graduate Studies online recommendation form (in the online application) must be used. Please note that one of the two recommendations must be from your current undergraduate primary mentor.
   
   
6. Entrance Exams: Test scores are optional and are not required.
   
   
7. English-language proficiency: Applicants for whom English is not the first language must submit proof of proficiency as determined during the undergraduate admissions process.
   
   
8. Orientation Fee of $50 (non-refundable) paid at the time of online application submission. If you possess a valid fee waiver code, you will enter that code in the payment screen within the online application.

Military Training and Experience

If you are currently or have previously service in the US military, please send an official copy of your military transcript (Joint Service Transcript, Community College of the Air Force or DD-214) to the Admissions office. Upon receipt, an evaluation of your training credit will be completed. The transfer of these military credits will be discussed with your mentor during the degree planning process. Military transcripts are free and should be sent electronically from the websites below.

Our Office of Veteran and Military Education is available to assist you throughout your studies at SUNY Empire State College. Contact us at military.programs@esc.edu or 518-587-2100 ext. 2779 if you have questions.