Admissions

Students who have completed work for a Bachelor’s degree from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accreditation association may apply for admission to graduate work.

Admission to a graduate degree program at Oswego is limited to those students whose formal applications and credentials receive a favorable recommendation for admission from the appropriate departmental admission committee and are approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. Applicants will receive notification on their application from the Graduate Office. Admission procedures for graduate degree applicants are outlined below.

1. Each graduate program utilizes a separate graduate application procedure that is program-specific and self-managed by the applicant. The applicant is responsible for submitting the completed application and all required components, including official transcripts, recommendations, and test scores via online application, by the appropriate departmental deadline.
   Please note: A nonrefundable $50.00 application fee is required. (If a student is applying to more than one program, an application and additional $50 payment must be made for each program.) Incomplete applications will not be forwarded to the department for review.
2. Transcripts. Applicants must request a transcript from each school attended for all previous undergraduate and graduate work. All transcripts may be unofficial except for the bachelor’s degree transcript. The bachelor’s degree transcript MUST be an official copy from the college/university registrar.
   NOTE: Failure to report all previous college attendance on your application is considered to be academic dishonesty. Discovery of such dishonesty will result in no transfer of credit and can result in suspension from SUNY Oswego.
3. References. For most programs, two recommendation letters from persons acquainted with the applicant must be submitted to the Graduate Office. However, certain programs require three recommendation letters. Please consult the table  in the Admissions section of this catalog and check your application requirement list for instructions for the number of letters you must submit. For some programs, letters of support from persons other than instructors may be more pertinent for the applicant’s application support. In such instances, letters of recommendation when submitted on the official business letterhead of the author are acceptable.
4. Standardized Test Scores. All applicants for graduate degree programs should consult the table  in the Admissions section of this catalog to determine if standardized test scores are required.
   Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) scores older than five years will not be accepted for admission review purposes for any program.
   Please refer to the test websites for specific dates. Applications for the exams must be submitted one month in advance of the exam date. Information is available from the GRE and GMAT webpages.
5. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 560 (paper-based), 220 (computer- based) or 83 (Internet based) is needed. Information on this test is available from Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08540.
6. Liberal Arts and Science Test (LAST) is required for MAT Art Education, MAT Chemistry, MAT Mathematics and MST Initial Childhood/Adolescence Education applicants. Scores are sent directly to the student. Please provide a copy of your scores or the verification email that you are scheduled for the exam.
7. Additional Requirements. In certain instances, applicants may be required to submit additional material for consideration. Some departments require a personal interview. Applicants will be notified of requirements by the specific department.

Graduate students who wish to take graduate or undergraduate courses without entering a degree program may be admitted as non-degree students. Students must complete the online Non-Degree Application. Students must also submit an unofficial transcript showing evidence of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university to the Graduate Office before being permitted to register for graduate level courses. A copy can be mailed to: Office of Graduate Studies; 606 Culkin Hall, SUNY Oswego; Oswego, NY 13126 or an electronic copy may be sent to: gradoff@oswego.edu. Fax copies will not be accepted because they come through illegible. Please call 315-312-3152 with questions.

• Students must meet all course prerequisites prior to taking a graduate level course.
• No more than nine credit hours of work completed prior to admission to a degree program will be allowed as transfer credit for application to the degree program. This nine credit hour total includes any off-campus, prior to admission to the degree program, course work.
• No more than six credit hours may be transferred from other institutions into a degree program at SUNY Oswego.
• Students contemplating entering a degree program, who choose to take non-degree courses at this time, are recommended to seek advice from the department where the degree is offered.

 Table of Requirements for Admission to Graduate Degree Programs