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Graduate Admission as a Degree Student
Admission to a graduate program or certificate at SUNY Oswego is limited to those students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. In addition, the application and credentials must receive a favorable recommendation for admission from the appropriate departmental admissions committee and have approval from the Dean of Graduate Studies. Applicants will receive notification of their application from the Graduate Office.
SUNY Oswego uses an online application system that allows you to save an application in progress. Your application will be reviewed when all components have been completed and submitted. Admission requirements are outlined below:
- The graduate application requires all candidates to provide contact information, educational history, and professional history.
- Applicants are required to pay an application fee and provide official transcripts.
- All international transcripts require verification via a World Education Services (WES) credit evaluation. If you are a SUNY Oswego alum, your official transcript will be automatically requested after entering your student ID and identifying SUNY Oswego as your school on the application upon submitting your application.
- International students who have not completed their undergraduate degree in English must submit results from an English Proficiency Test. A minimum TOEFL score of 79 is required; however, some programs require higher scores.
- Individual programs may require some of the following materials in the application: a purpose statement or written statement, professional resume, letters of recommendation, portfolio, interview with faculty, GMAT or GRE scores, proof of educational certification, etc.
Graduate Admission as a Non-Degree Student
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-Matriculated Student Application. Students must also submit an unofficial transcript when applying that shows evidence of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
- All course prerequisite requirements must be met before the student is permitted to register for graduate coursework.
- No more than nine credit hours of graduate-level coursework from SUNY Oswego completed prior to admission to a degree program will be allowed.
- Graduate students matriculated into a master’s program at SUNY Oswego may transfer up to nine credit hours of coursework to their degree program. A maximum of three hours of coursework from institutions other than SUNY Oswego may be applied to a post-baccalaureate certificate of advanced study program. For post-master’s advanced certificates of study, see program advisor.
- It is recommended that students who are considering entering a SUNY Oswego graduate degree program and choose to take non-degree courses seek advice from the department where the degree is offered.
Admissions Decisions
Once a student submits their application and pays the application fee, the Division of Graduate Studies will send the application to review by the academic department once all corresponding materials are received (such as test scores, transcripts, and letters of recommendation). Departmental review committees evaluate the student’s potential for success, previous experiences, and fit with the program of interest, and the Division of Graduate Studies makes a final decision about admission to the program. Students will be notified of their application status electronically using the email provided in the application. Every applicant can expect to receive notification of one of the following decisions regarding their graduate application:
Deny: This decision means that the applicant has not been selected for admission to the program. Typically, this is because the applicant has not met the minimum standards for admission, has limited insight into the program and future opportunities with the graduate degree, or has future goals that are not aligned with the program’s philosophy. Applicants who are denied admission may wish to appeal this decision (Please see Academic Procedures & Regulations ).
Deferred Decision: This decision means that the departmental review committee requires additional information to support the individual’s application. Applicants will be notified of the data requested to further support the review committee’s evaluation of the application. Once received, the committee will review the application with this additional information and a decision will be determined.
Conditional Admission: This decision means that the student must meet the conditions specific in the offer of admission to be fully matriculated into the program. Conditions are typically met by providing more information to the admissions team (i.e. official transcripts) or providing evidence of successful performance (i.e. obtaining a B or better grade during their first semester).
Full Admission: This decision means that the student is allowed to matriculate into the program and begin coursework.
Accepting an Offer of Admission
Students will be notified through email of their offer. A student may accept, decline, or defer their offer using the Graduate Application Decision Reply Form. This action will confirm their intention to matriculate and will allow the student to enroll in courses.
International students who accept an offer of admission must meet additional international student requirements.
Deferring Enrollment in a Graduate Program
Students who have been offered admission to a SUNY Oswego graduate program have the opportunity to defer their enrollment by up to 1 calendar year from the anticipated enrollment date. To do so, please contact the Division of Graduate Studies.
Withdrawing an Application
Students who no longer wish to be considered for admission to a graduate program at SUNY Oswego may withdraw their application from consideration at any point by emailing gradstudies@oswego.edu. This option should only be used by students who are no longer interested in attending SUNY Oswego.
Second Graduate Degrees: Awarding of multiple degrees at the graduate level
An individual may pursue a second graduate degree to fulfill a different academic objective. Students may not concurrently pursue two graduate degrees at Oswego, however, they may pursue a graduate certificate and a graduate degree simultaneously or two graduate certificates simultaneously.
Students wishing to pursue a second graduate degree must officially be accepted into the graduate degree program, per the graduate admissions procedures.
Admissions Appeals Process
Applicants who are denied admission to a graduate degree program and want to appeal the decision should follow the following procedures:
- Write an appeal letter addressed to the Dean of Graduate Studies requesting that your file be reconsidered. Indicate why you should be admitted to the program and what you will bring to it.
- Include copies of materials that you believe support your case for admission (these could include an updated transcript, additional letters of recommendation, test scores, updated resume, or any other relevant materials ).
- Submit all materials including the appeal letter and accompanying materials electronically to the Graduate Studies Office (gradstudies@oswego.edu).
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