International Students

Study from Anywhere in the World

Do you live outside the United States but want a degree from a well-respected American college? SUNY Empire State College provides several ways for international students to earn a degree from the State University of New York.

Review the options below to find the one which best fits you.

If you have questions about your visa status or eligibility to study at SUNY Empire, contact the Center for International Education.

Option one: International Distance Learning

To learn more about international distance learning, contact the Center for International Education.

Option two: Center for International Education

Working with partners in various parts of the world, the Center for International Education offers programs at the following locations:

  • Tirana, Albania
  • Prague, Czech Republic
  • Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
  • Athens, Greece
  • Thessaloniki, Greece
  • Beirut, Lebanon
  • Eskişehir, Turkey

If you wish to study in a classroom based or blended learning environment at one of the above locations, learn more about option two at: Center for International Education.

Admission Requirements

For international students wishing to study online, please submit the following with your application:

English Proficiency

Students whose first language is not English must demonstrate that they have sufficient English proficiency to study at Empire State College. Consult our English Proficiency page for details.

Evaluation of Foreign Educational Credentials

Foreign educational documents must be evaluated by an approved evaluation service and original evaluation reports submitted directly to the college. Copies of evaluation will not be accepted. For full information see the Credentials from Non-U.S. Institutions page.

Canadian Students

Canadian students who maintain their residence in Canada and travel to the U.S. for required residencies or meetings with their mentors are considered border commuter students. See the Canadian Border Commuter Students pages for additional information about admission requirements.

Please note that SUNY Empire State College is authorized under federal law to issue Department of Homeland Security Form I-20 documents to nonimmigrant students. SUNY Empire limits its issuance of the I-20 document to Canadian nonimmigrant students who wish to study in the U.S. at one of our programs as border commuter students. Applicants who wish to travel to the U.S. to study should see other State University of New York or City University of New York options.