How to Apply for Graduate Admission

Applications to all graduate programs at SUNY Plattsburgh are processed by the graduate admissions office in Plattsburgh, New York.

Steps to Apply

Step 1: Complete the Online Graduate Admissions Application

Create an application account. You can save your application and come back and finish it later. You will need contact information for three recommenders, as well as a $75 fee* to submit the application. Once the application has been submitted, you will be sent an email with access to a portal where you can view a customized, real-time checklist of materials needed to complete your application.

*The $75 fee is waived for EOP/HEOP/SEEK applicants, as well as military-affiliated students.

Online Graduate Admissions Application
Step 2: Submit Required Materials
All programs require a statement of purpose, resume, three letters of recommendation, and official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. (A 3.0 GPA is strongly encouraged for all programs.) Transcripts must be sent directly from the registrar’s office at previous institutions via electronic exchange service or mail. If you attended SUNY Plattsburgh, you do not need to request your transcript. The graduate admissions office will obtain your SUNY Plattsburgh transcript on your behalf.

SUNY Plattsburgh is test optional for graduate admissions. If you have taken the GRE, GMAT, and/or MAT exams and think that the scores will strengthen your application, you may submit them.

Program-Specific Requirements

Prerequisite Coursework

Some graduate programs have specific requirements for prerequisite coursework. The following programs have course summary forms or preparatory worksheets that must be submitted prior to admission review. These can be found in the directory of forms below.
- Adolescence education and childhood education M.S.T.
- Data analytics M.S.
- Speech language pathology M.A.
Degree Requirements
- Our educational leadership programs (school building leader, school district leader, and teacher leadership) all require a master’s in education. The school district leader certificate also requires completion of an accredited school building leader program.
- Natural resources and ecology requires a bachelor’s degree in science
- Clinical mental health counseling requires at least 12 credits in a human service or related field.
Educational Leadership

The school building leader and school district leader programs have some additional application requirements that are unique.

School Building Leader
- Proof of teacher certification (upload screenshot of the certificate on TEACH and upload to admissions portal)
- Educational Leadership Essay
- Nine Essential Characteristics
- Teacher Observation Performance Task
School District Leader
- Proof of teacher certification (upload screenshot of the certificate on TEACH and upload to admissions portal)
- Nine Essential Characteristics
Special Education

Special education M.S.Ed. (not 7–12 generalist) and special education 7–12 certificate programs require proof of teacher certification. You may upload a screenshot of the certificate on TEACH to the admissions portal.

Students applying for 7-12 M.S.Ed. and the 7–12 advanced certificate are required to have the following prerequisites: six credits of English, six credits of math, six credits of science and six credits of social science.

Step 3: Be Aware of Application Deadlines & Program Modalities

Program	Start Term(s)**	Deadline***	Modality
Adolescence education, grades 7–12 M.S.T.*	Fall, winter, spring, summer	Rolling	Online
Childhood education, grades 1–6 M.S.T.*	Fall, winter, spring, summer	Rolling	Online
Clinical mental health counseling M.S.	Fall	Feb. 1	On campus
Communication sciences and disorders post-bachelor’s certificate	Fall	Apr. 1	On campus
Data analytics M.S.	Summer	Feb. 1	On campus
Fitness and wellness leadership M.S.	Fall, winter, spring, summer	Rolling	Online
Natural resources and ecology M.S.	Fall, spring	Rolling	On campus
School building leader C.A.S.	Fall, spring, summer	Rolling	Online
School district leader certificate	Summer	Rolling	Online
School psychology M.A./C.A.S.	Fall	Feb. 1	On campus
Special education M.S.Ed.	Fall, winter, spring, summer	Rolling	On campus
Special education grades 7–12 certificate	Fall, winter, spring, summer	Rolling	Online
Speech language pathology M.A.	Fall	Feb. 1	On campus
Teacher leadership certificate	Fall, spring, summer	Rolling	Online

Notes:

*Students who wish to begin the adolescence or childhood education programs full time should start in the fall.

Step 4: Attend a Faculty Interview
Step 5: Check your Admissions Portal & Email for Updates

You can check the status of your application any time in your admissions portal.

Your portal will display a custom checklist of materials required to complete your application with a green check when an item has been received. Once a decision has been made, it will be displayed in your portal. You will also receive regular updates and notices via email.

Your portal can also be used to upload materials, schedule an appointment with graduate admissions, ask your advisor a question or pay your $250 enrollment deposit.

For International Applicants

International Student Requirements
In addition to the requirements outlined above, international applicants must submit a scan of the photo page of the passport, as well as a bank statement. In compliance with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations, all international applicants must provide evidence of sufficient funds available for their studies.
- We require a current bank statement (dated within the past two months) showing enough funds to cover the cost of attendance for one year, which will be available in the admissions portal
- Statement must be issued on bank letterhead
- Statement must include the name of the account holder and currency, clearly indicated in English
- If the family name (surname) of the account holder on the financial statement is different from your own, you will need to provide a letter written in English from that individual stating his or her relationship to you and intention to financially support your education
- An Affidavit of Support cannot be used in place of a bank statement. If you need assistance translating your documents into English, we recommend finding a translator through the American Translators Association: https://www.atanet.org/directory/
International applicants who do not come from an English speaking country or earn their bachelor’s degree from an undergraduate institution where the primary language is English must also provide proof of English proficiency. See recommended scores below.

Data Analytics & Natural Resources and Ecology:

TOEFL: IBT 76/PBT 540
IELTS: 6.0
PTE: 50
DET: 110

All Other Programs:

TOEFL: IBT 80/PBT 550
IELTS: 6.5
PTE: 53
DET: 120