Application Requirements for Graduate Studies

You will upload a professional resume or curriculum vitae that includes your academic history, professional background and any accomplishments of note. This document should provide details that support your admittance to the program. The file should be a .pdf or .doc.

You will need to submit official transcripts confirming your bachelor’s or master’s degree/advanced certificate. This includes graduate-level coursework or post-baccalaureate degree/certificate. U.S. transcripts must be sent directly from the granting institution (electronic or mail). 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. We will release your application for departmental review upon the receipt of all official transcripts.

Most programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0; however, all programs use holistic admissions procedures and consider each applicant’s history, goals, academic performance, and statements of ability in determining admission decisions. We recommend that you visit the program page to confirm the expectation for the program(s) to which you plan to apply and consider reaching out to our Graduate Admissions Counselor to discuss options if your GPA falls below the recommended cut-off. 

The personal statement is meant to give the review committee an opportunity to learn about your interest in the program and what you hope to gain from admission to the program. The Statement should be between 500-1000 words, and provide the review committee information that will help determine if your professional goals and interests align with the program offerings. The Statement of Interest should include discussion of your academic history and help the review committee “connect the dots” between your academic and vocational history, as well as your goals for your career in the field of interest. Be sure to discuss the specific ways in which the program at SUNY Oswego is a good fit for your goals and interests, given your personal history.

For MBA Applicants

In 500–1000 words, describe your unique personal achievements relating to your academic interests and include any experiences you feel have contributed to your educational and professional objectives, such as supervisory activities, program development, leadership activities, and special assignments. Explain what these achievements and experiences have meant to your professional growth, what you hope to achieve professionally in the next five years, what do you expect out of your business degree, and how you will contribute to the classroom experiences. This essay should detail your reasoning for applying to SUNY Oswego and it will help the review team better understand your background and evaluate your application.

For Education Applicants

In 500–1000 words, describe your achievements relating to your academic interests and detail your educational and professional objectives with reasoning for applying to SUNY Oswego. Additionally, please write your understanding of education and what you would contribute to the School of Education, and how do your past experiences and your goals align with the Conceptual Framework and Dispositions? (To compose your answer, first examine the School of Education Conceptual Framework.)

Within the application, you will indicate two names with valid email addresses. These references should be able to speak to your character, work ethic, and abilities. The system will send an email request directly to the references on your behalf. We recommend letting the recommender know before entering their names into the application as the system will automatically email if they are entered in the form field and the application is saved. 

For MBA Applicants
You will be required to enter three names with valid email addresses. 

Applicants will be asked to pay a non-refundable $65 fee once the application is submitted. You will be redirected to a payment portal.

A $250 tuition deposit is required to reserve your place at SUNY Oswego. We encourage you to pay this deposit within 30 days of your admission offer. This deposit will be applied toward your first semester bill. The deposit enhances our confidence that incoming students are enrolling in programs and opens up seats for students on waiting lists. While it's typically non-refundable, you may refer to the refund policy.

As part of the admission process, some programs require potential applicants to meet with faculty to assess skills and goals for attending the program. You will discuss course requirements and ensure your academic history aligns with the program as well as course scheduling. During the application process, you will be given information to set up a meeting with the program. Most programs offer flexible meeting arrangements.

As part of the admission process, some programs require potential applicants to complete an interview with faculty. During the interview, you will have the opportunity to discuss the program with faculty to determine if your experiences and interests align with the program’s training model.

GMAT scores are not required for an applicant to be considered for admission to the MBA program. MBA applicants who believe that a GMAT/GRE score would strengthen their credentials for admission to the MBA program have the option to submit a test score as part of their application package.

The School of Business admissions committee, upon completion of its review of an application, may determine that a candidate’s profile needs strengthening for admission and may offer a deferral or a conditional admission that may include, among other things, required submission of a GMAT score.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required for admission into most of our education and counseling/psychology-related programs. Acceptable scores are dependent on the course of study. Speak to your department advisor about what scores are acceptable to the program.

Some education programs require you to submit an official copy of your NYS teaching certificate (Initial or Professional) in your area of interest during the application process. 

Our art-related programs require you to submit eight to ten samples of your design work as digital files in your area of interest, including an annotated list providing the title, date of the work and describing the context and your role in the project. (Accepted file types: PDF, JPG, Vimeo or YouTube)