Students wishing to take courses for credit or pursue undergraduate degree programs in Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, College of Community and Public Affairs, Decker School of Nursing, School of Management or Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science must be admitted to the specific school (or readmitted if appropriate) before registering for courses. Admission forms and information are available online at http://www.admissions.binghamton.edu or from the Undergraduate Admissions Office, located in Academic Building A. Information concerning non-credit courses is available from Continuing Education & Outreach (CEO). In addition to academic program information in the Bulletin,additional informationmay beavailable online from the Undergraduate Admissions Office, academic departments, and schools. Before the start of each academic term, the Registrar’s Office publishes the schedule of course offerings online at http://bubrain.binghamton.edu/.
Freshmen are defined as students who have attempted no college coursework, or whose only college courses were pursued before high school graduation. All of Binghamton’s undergraduate schools accept freshman applicants.
Applications are available online at http://www.apply.binghamton.edu. Binghamton University accepts TheCommon Application and the State University of New York (SUNY) application. The SUNY application is also available from any high school guidance office in New York state or from the SUNY application processing center at http://www.suny.edu/student.The University is a member of The Common Application, and applications may be obtained at its website, http://www.commonapp.org. Binghamton requires candidates submitting the SUNY Applicationto also completea Supplementary Admission Form that provides additional information about coursework, extra-curricular activities, awards, and other experiences. Such information is already part of The Common Application. An essay and a teacher or counselor recommendation are also required, whether a student chooses to apply via The Common Application or SUNY Application. Score results of the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)or/and American College Testing (ACT)must be sent directly by the testing agency to the Admissions Office. Binghamton requires all three parts of the SAT examination: math, critical reading and writing. Applicants must be graduates of an accredited secondary school or offer evidence of equivalent education.
In addition to the high school transcript, freshmen who have taken courses for college credit should have a record of that work sent by the college or testing agency directly to the Admissions Office.
After admission for the fall term has been offered, a $150 tuition deposit must be paid by May 1, or 20 days after admission, as specified in the admission letter. Students applying for campus housing must pay an additional $200 by May 1, or 20 days after admission, as specified. The tuition and room deposits may be refunded only if requested before May 1 or 20 days after admission, whichever is later. Students admitted to the spring term are given 20 days to pay each deposit or until the start of the term, if less than 20 days.
All enrolling students must complete, with the aid of a health official, a health history and a physical examination report prior to orientation and course registration. Students unable to submit health forms because of religious affiliation should consult the University Health Service for alternatives at http://www.health.binghamton.edu.
Specific enrollment goals are set for each undergraduate school. Supply and demand (available spaces in relation to the number of applications), as well as admission policy, play a role in who is admitted. Admission is very selective. Freshmen are admitted to all undergraduate programs in Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, College of Community and Public Affairs, Decker School of Nursing, School of Management and Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Applicants to the University are admitted on the total strength of their applications. While academic criteria such as grades, quality and level of courses, test scores, trend of grades and rank are primary, involvement in leadership and school and community activities, recommendations, and how effectively an applicant communicates strengths and interests, are also important (and sometimes crucial) elements in an admission decision. There is no automatic cutoff in the admission process, either in GPA, test scores or rank, as the Admissions Committee is aware of differences in how secondary schools grade and rank their students, as well as ways in which secondary-school offerings and competitiveness vary. Home-schooled applicants with well-documented educational and personal achievement records are invited to apply.
The Admissions Committee seeks to enroll the strongest and most diverse class possible. Candidates are urged to make full use of the Supplementary Admission Form and/or essay. The Admissions Committee is sensitive to all types of achievement and welcomes information about the candidate’s values, aspirations and personal challenges. Candidates with special skills and talents, i.e. music, theatre, art,may request a review of those skills by checking the appropriate box on the Supplementary Admission Form and following the instructions noted on the form.
New York state students who meet both historic academic and financialcriteria may be admitted to the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP),http://www2.binghamton.edu/admissions/students/eop.html;and students living in Broome and Tioga counties in New York state are afforded a degree of flexibility in the admission process.
Applicants who have completed the junior year in high school but have not graduated may be considered for admission. Approval of such early admission is contingent on the student meeting the normal entrance requirements and admission criteria. Early applicants should submit the regular application form. Please note that persons who have not graduated from high school may be ineligible for some forms of financial aid.
Students enroll in a specific undergraduate school at Binghamton University. If internal transfer to a different school is sought, a formal application and guidelines for intra-university transfer must be obtained online atwww.apply.binghamton.edu or from the Undergraduate Admissions Office in Academic Building A, and submitted by the fall or spring deadline. Students are responsible for meeting the specific academic requirements of the school to which they are seeking a transfer. Spaces for intra-university transfers withinsome programs are limited and competitive. Students should apply well before the beginning of the semester in which enrollment is desired.
Students who wish to defer their enrollment for one or two semesters, after having been admitted and having paid their tuition deposit, should contact the Admissions Office. Deferments are not automatically granted and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions Committee.
Applicants who are citizens of other countries, and who have or will require a student visa to study in the United States, whether they are enrolled in a school in the United States or abroad, are required to submit special international student admission forms to the Undergraduate Admissions Office. Application forms are available online athttp://www.apply.binghamton.edu or from the Undergraduate Admissions Office located in Academic Building A.
International applicants are required to meet the academic standards for admission, show proficiency in English on the college level and submit documentation of sufficient funds to cover all educational and living expenses for the duration of study. Due to delays in the exchange of some foreign currencies, students from certain countries may be required to prepay one year’s academic and personal living expenses to ensure that adequate funds will be available for their study.
With the exception of students placed through special educational exchange agreements and those enrolling for the summer term only, all international students are required to be enrolled in a degree program.
To certify English proficiency, international applicants whose native language is not English should take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System evaluation (IELTS). Information may be obtained from www.toefl.org or www.ielts.org. Generally, a minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the “paper” TOEFL, a score of 213 on the computerized version or an 80 on the Internet version, or a score of 6.5 on the IELTS, is required for admission.
Students are required to provide their own funds for tuition, fees, housing, meals, insurance and personal expenses. Currently, this figure is estimated at approximately $27,400 for one calendar year and is expected to increase by 10 percent each year. The University cannot provide financial assistance to international undergraduate students, nor may study be financed through employment. Note,the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services rarely grants permission to work off campus, and on-campus employment opportunities are limited.
Applicants who meet the above requirements are issued a letter of admission and, subsequently, the appropriate Certificate of Eligibility to apply for a student or exchange visitor visa. Additional details regarding admission policies and procedures for international students are sent to alladmitted applicants.
Under the New York state-supported Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Binghamton provides an avenue for low-income students from historically under-represented backgrounds to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Students with unrealized potential and talent are provided with financial assistance, tutoring and counseling, the opportunity to take advantage of credit-bearing developmental courses where needed, and other student support services required to provide a transition into any one of the degree programs offered by the University. Continued enrollment in EOP is contingent upon meeting program expectations and use ofstudentservices. Complete program guidelines set forth by New York state can also be accessed at: http://www.suny.edu/Student/academic_eop.cfm.
Students who believe they may qualify for this program should complete the SUNY application,in addition toBinghamton University' s Supplemental Admission Form and required EOP andFinancial Aid Servicesfinance verification forms, available online at: http://www2.binghamton.edu/admissions/students/eop.html. A personal interview may also be required.
Transfer students are those who have attempted college courses following high school graduation.
Applications are available online at www.apply.binghamton.edu. Binghamton University accepts The Common Application and the State University of New York (SUNY) application. The SUNY application is also available from the SUNY application processing center at http://www.suny.edu/student . The University is a member of The Common Application, and applications may be obtained at its website, http://www.commonapp.org . Binghamton requires Nursing and Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) candidates submitting the SUNY Application also complete a Supplementary Admission Form that provides additional information about course-work, extra-curricular activities, awards, and other experiences. Such information is already part of The Common Application. EOP applicants must also submit the required EOP forms. Students applying for transfer admission during their first year of college must also submit an official copy of their high school transcripts and SAT or ACT test scores to complete their application. For some students, admission decisions may be delayed until grades from two consecutive college semesters are available; in such cases, students are notified of this requirement. Transcripts should be sent directly to the Undergraduate Admissions Officeat Binghamton University.
Transfer students are admitted on the strength of their academic performance at the two and/or four-year colleges they have attended. The typical profile of a transfer student at Binghamton University includes a college Grade Point Average (GPA)of 3.0 or greater and dependent upon thecompetiveness of the schools at Binghamton University.
More specifically, Harpur College usually provides a substantial number of transfer spaces and, while admission is selective, students with a 2.8 average are encouraged to apply. Transfer admission to Decker School of Nursing is competitive. Applicants with a strong background in either liberal arts or nursing (Registered Nurses) should apply. Most students will complete nursing requirements in a minimum of two years. Some Registered Nurse students and graduates with baccalaureate or higher degrees may be eligible for accelerated programs. See the Program Options section under Decker School of Nursing in this publication. Transfer admission to the College of Community and Public Affairs is selective. Candidates generally need an average of 2.8 or better to gain admission. Candidates are required to complete the Supplementary Admission Form to help the Admissions Committee gain a better understanding of the student' s educational goals and objectives. Transfer spaces for School of Management are very limited. Admission is granted primarily on the basis of academic proficiency in appropriate courses; candidates generally need well above a 3.0 average for admission. Completion of the Supplementary Admission Form is strongly encouraged. Transfer admission to Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science is selective, but the school welcomes engineering and computer science applicants with strong academic records. See the appropriate academic section of this publication for additional information.
It is essential that all college transcripts for newly-enrolled students be received well before classes start so that a complete transfer credit evaluation may be conducted by an academic advisor. College courseworkrecord(s) should be sent in a timely manner to the Undergraduate Admissions Office to assurea final credit evaluationis conducted by each school at Binghamton University. Typically, a final credit evaluation ismade availableby academic advisingfor new studentsattendingorientation; therebyallowing student to schedule the appropriate courses prior to the start of the semester.
The awarding of transfer credit is determined by each undergraduate school. Evaluations are completed for admitted and/or enrolled students by the advising office of each school, then prepared and e-mailed by the Undergraduate Admissions Office tothe student' s e-mailprovided ontheadmission application. Questions regarding transfer credit decisions may be discussed with the academic advising staffwithin yourschool at Binghamton University.
Binghamton University values honesty and integrity. Students applying for admission or readmission must provide full and accurate information on the appropriate application. Students falsifying information by any method may be suspended or dismissed from the University or have their admission rescinded.
Consideration of Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions Applications from Individuals Who Have Been Suspended or Expelled from a College or University for Disciplinary Reasons: Disciplinary suspension or expulsion from another college or university is not grounds for automatic rejection of an application for admission to Binghamton University. However, applications are considered incomplete until additional information is provided to Binghamton University. The applicant is required to sign a release permitting a special admissions committee to obtain documents related to the disciplinary suspension or expulsion and allowing the committee to discuss the circumstances related to such action with college officials at the previous institution. Upon receipt of the required materials, the special admissions committee reviews the circumstances pertaining to such applications and makes its recommendation.
The special admissions committee may recommend acceptance of the applicant, acceptance of the applicant with restrictions on participation in university life at Binghamton University, or rejection of the applicant based on the nature of the incident(s) that caused the disciplinary suspension or expulsion. An appeal of the decision of the committee may be made to the provost and vice president for academic affairs. Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Provost, Binghamton University, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, New York 13902-6000.
Consideration of Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions Applications from Individuals with Felony Convictions: State law prohibits discrimination against those previously convicted of criminal offenses (Correction Law, S750 et seq.). However, the law permits an institution to deny an application for admission based on an individual’s prior conviction when the admission “would involve an unreasonable risk to property or to the safety or welfare of specific individuals or the general public.” (S752)
Section 753 of the Correction Law specifically sets forth the factors to be considered concerning a prior criminal conviction. These factors are as follows:
In making a determination, the public agency or private employer shall consider the following factors:
In making a determination, the public agency or private employer shall also give consideration to a certificate of relief from disabilities or a certificate of good conduct issued to the applicant, which shall create a presumption of rehabilitation in regard to the offense or offenses specified therein.
Applications for admission to Binghamton University from individuals with felony convictions are considered in accordance with the above criteria. A special admissions committee reviews such applications and the applicant is required to sign a release permitting the committee to obtain documents related to criminal offenses and allowing the committee to discuss the circumstances related to such offenses with corrections officials.
Applications are considered incomplete until additional information is provided to Binghamton University. In addition to signing the release mentioned above, applicants with criminal convictions must provide a complete criminal background history. Upon receipt of the required material, the special admissions committee reviews the circumstances pertaining to such applications and makes its recommendation.
The special admissions committee may recommend acceptance of the applicant, acceptance of the applicant with restrictions on participation in university life at Binghamton University, or denial of the applicant based on the nature of the criminal offenses. An appeal of the decision of the committee may be made to the provost and vice president for academic affairs. Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Provost, Binghamton University, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, New York 13902-6000.
External examination credit includes credits earned through Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credits, Excelsior College Examinations (formerly known as Regents College Examinations), DANTES Standard Subject Tests (DSST) or through official transcript evaluation of courses taken at other institutions. Selected external credits may apply to General Education or major requirements as specified.
Students in Harpur College may apply a maximum of 32 external examination credits towards a degree.
AP and IB course equivalencies follow.
Advanced Placement examinations with a grade of 3 or better are approved for credit, with the amount and applicability determined by the appropriate academic unit.
Score of 3: four elective credits.
Score of 4 or 5: four credits in art history equivalent to ARTH 101. May be used toward the art history major.
Score of 3, 4 or 5: four hours of elective credit. Not to be used as an art studio requirement.
Score of 3: four credits, not to be used toward the major in biological sciences, biochemistry or nursing.
Score of 4: four credits equivalent to either BIOL 117 or BIOL 118. A biological sciences adviser, in consultation with student, will determine appropriate placement.
Score of 5: eight credits equivalent to BIOL 117-118 that may be used toward the biological sciences major. (Decker: The BIOL 118 credit equivalent may be used to fulfill the Introduction to Biology requirement of the nursing major. The remaining four credits count as electives to meet degree requirements in nursing.)
Score of 3: four credits equivalent to CHEM 101. May not be used to fulfill chemistry major requirements.
Score of 4: four credits equivalent to CHEM 111. May be used to fulfill chemistry major requirements.
Score of 5: eight credits, equivalent to CHEM 107-108. May be used to fulfill chemistry major requirements.
Score of 3: four credits equivalent to CS 140.
Score of 4 or 5: four credits equivalent to CS 240.
Score of 3: four elective credits.
Score of 4 or 5: eight elective credits.
Score of 3: four credits of free elective.
Score of 4 or 5: eight credits of free elective.
Computer Science A (score of 3, 4 or 5) or Computer Science AB (score of 3): Students may use credits for CS 140 (upon request) or may take CS 140 and use AP credit for free elective.
Computer Science AB (score of 4 or 5): four credits equivalent to CS 140, plus four credits that may be used for CS 240 (upon request) or free elective.
Score of 3, 4, or 5: four credits equivalent to CS 140.
Microeconomics score of 3, 4 or 5: four credits equivalent to ECON 160. May be used to fulfill economics major requirements.
Macroeconomics score of 3, 4 or 5: four credits equivalent to ECON 162. May be used to fulfill economics major requirements.
Language and Composition or Literature and Composition score of 3, 4 or 5: four elective credits. Not to be used to fulfill major requirements. Does not satisfy Harpur College writing requirement.
Language and Composition or Literature and Composition score of 3, 4 or 5: four humanities credits. Does not fulfill English composition requirement.
Language and Composition or Literature and Composition score of 3, 4 or 5: four credits. May be used to meet humanities or distribution requirements. Does not satisfy School of Management writing requirement.
Language and Composition or Literature and Composition score of 3, 4 or 5: four credits. May be used toward English and communication requirements in the CSIS major.
Score of 3 or 4: four elective credits.
Score of 5: eight credits, equivalent to GERM 203 and 204. May be used to fulfill German major requirements after consultation with the department.
Language score of 3, 4 or 5: four credits. Consult with department if you plan to take additional courses.
Literature score of 3, 4 or 5: four credits equivalent to FREN 215. Suggested placement if you plan to take additional courses: score of 3 or 4 — FREN 241, 244, 251 or 341; score of 5 — FREN 361 or 362.
Score of 3, 4 or 5: four credits, not to be applied toward the history major.
Score of 3, 4 or 5: four credits. If you wish to take another Latin course, this course is equivalent to LAT 203 or 204, depending on consultation with the Classical and Near Eastern Studies Department adviser. Whether this credit may be used to fulfill major requirements is determined by the department.
Math Calc AB (score of 3 or 4): four credits of unspecified lower-level mathematics. Math Calc AB (score of 5): MATH 221 plus four credits of unspecified lower-level mathematics.
Math Calc BC (score of 3): four credits of unspecified lower-level mathematics.
Math Calc BC (score of 4): MATH 221.
Math Calc BC (score of 5): MATH 221 plus four credits of unspecified lower-level mathematics.
Math Calc AB or BC (score of 3 or 4): four elective credits.
Math Calc AB or BC (score of 5): eight elective credits.
Math Calc AB or BC (score of 3 or 4): four credits, equivalent to MATH 221. May be used to fulfill major requirements.
Math Calc AB or BC (score of 5): eight credits, equivalent to MATH 221, and four additional credits of unspecified lower-level mathematics. Entering students may take either MATH 222 or MATH 323 for credit.
Math Calc AB or BC (score of 3): four credits of unspecified lower-level mathematics. Upon passing the diagnostic calculus-readiness exam, students can register for MATH 221, Calculus I.
Math Calc AB (score of 4): four credits of unspecified lower-level mathematics. Upon request to the Office of Student Services, and contingent upon passing the diagnostic exam, these credits may be used for MATH 221. Otherwise, MATH 221 can be taken as part of the regular program requirements, contingent upon passing the diagnostic exam.
Math Calc AB (score of 5) or Math Calc BC (score of 4 or 5): eight credits equivalent to MATH 221 and four credits generic math. Upon request, students may use the four generic credits for MATH 222, or may take MATH 222 as part of the regular program requirements.
AP Statistics (score of 3, 4 or 5): 4 credits equivalent to MATH 147.
Score of 3, 4 or 5: four credits, not to be applied toward music major.
(Note: Students who present scores for both the B and the C exams will be granted credit for either the B or C, whichever will yield the most credit.)
Physics B score of 3 or 4: four credits, not to be used for the major.
Score of 5: eight credits equivalent to PHYS 121/122.
Physics C score of 3 or 4 on Mech and/or E-M section: four credits for each score of 3 or 4 not to be used for the major.
Score of 5 on Mech section: four credits equivalent to PHYS 131. Score of 5 on E-M section: four credits equivalent to PHYS 132.
American Government and Politics score of 3, 4 or 5: four credits equivalent to PLSC 111. May be used to fulfill political science major requirements.
Comparative Government and Politics score of 3, 4 or 5: four credits equivalent to PLSC 113. May be used to fulfill political science major requirements.
Score of 3, 4 or 5: four credits equivalent to PSYC 111. May be used to fulfill major requirements.
Language score of 3, 4 or 5: four elective credits. Consult with departmental faculty if you plan to take additional courses and to determine whether this counts toward major requirements.
Literature score of 3, 4 or 5: four credits equivalent to SPAN 215. Suggested placement if you plan to take additional courses: score of 3 or 4 — SPAN 344, 250 or 251; score of 5 — SPAN 360.
Binghamton University students may earn credit by exam for coursework completed in high school under the International Baccalaureate Program. Credit is awarded only for Higher Level exams, with students scoring a 4 or 5 receiving four credits for a subject and students scoring a 6 or 7 receiving eight credits for a subject.
SUNY General Education credit can be awarded for successfully completing Higher Level exams in five of the 10 areas of competency: Composition, Aesthetics, Mathematics, Humanities, and Social Science. In addition, the General Education requirement for foreign language may be satisfied by a score of 4-7 on the Higher or Standard Level exams.
Students in the Diploma Program may receive up to 32 credits. To receive the full 32 credits, the following conditions must be met:
The IB holder who does not meet all of these conditions will receive credits on a course-by-course basis.
Credit is usually granted for liberal arts courses completed at other accredited institutions. In addition, up to 32 elective credits may be granted for the study of theoretically oriented courses of a non-liberal-arts nature. Academic credit may be granted only if a grade of Pass or a C– or better was earned in the course.
The College of Community and Public Affairs considers for possible transfer credit all courses taken at any unit of the State University of New York or credits granted by other accredited institutions. When individual courses are considered, credits are not granted for courses in which the student earned a grade below C–. In cases in which the student earned grades of Pass on a Pass/Fail system, a grade of Pass is interpreted as a grade of not less than C– in the evaluation of credits earned. Depending on the courses presented for transfer and the program selected, students may need to take more than 124 credits to complete degree requirements.
Transfer students to the bachelor of science program in human development are automatically granted 60 credits for their associate’s degree. Students transferring into the BA program receive 60 credits in transfer if at least 30 credits of their associate’s degree work are in liberal arts and sciences courses. Transfers to the BA program without 30 credits in liberal arts and sciences have their transcripts reviewed on a course-by-course basis.
The college also considers for possible academic credit or advanced placement, or both, any college-level work offered through approved off-campus programs such as the University of the Air, the Independent Study Program, Excelsior College Examinations (formerly known as Regents College Examinations), CLEP and DANTES, and through certain educational programs of private or public institutions, such as hospital nursing programs, or formal training programs conducted by governmental agencies. A maximum of 30 credit hours is accepted from such sources, and each case is decided on its own merits. No credit or advanced standing is granted for general or equivalency examinations.
Questions concerning the transfer of academic and advanced-standing credit should be addressed to the academic adviser of the College of Community and Public Affairs. Official transcripts and certificates of completion submitted by applicants for transfer credit are evaluated by the undergraduate academic adviser. The final decision to deny or grant academic credit or advanced standing in each instance rests with the dean.
Decker School of Nursing admits transfer students with advanced standing to the sophomore or junior level of the undergraduate program. Transfer applicants include students with liberal arts and science coursework from a two-year or four-year institution, students with baccalaureate or higher degrees in other fields, and registered nurse students from associate degree programs and hospital diploma schools.
Admission is competitive and based upon:
Other considerations include:
A minimum of 128 credits is needed to meet the program requirements. Credit for liberal arts and science coursework, including courses prerequisite to the nursing major, may be transferred for courses where a grade of C– or better has been earned. Credit for courses in which the student has received a grade of D may not be transferred. Credit for upper-division nursing coursework taken in another baccalaureate nursing program is evaluated on an individual basis. See “Transfer Student Admission” in the Decker School of Nursing section or contact the Decker School for more information.
Liberal arts courses, including all courses prerequisite to upper-division nursing courses and taken at other colleges and universities, may be accepted in transfer. Graduates of community college nursing programs may transfer nursing coursework. Twenty credits may be used to fulfill nursing major requirements and additional credits count toward the degree as general elective credits. There is no limit on the number of transfer credits. Residency requirements of the University of at least 30 credits are met by taking the 32 credits of required coursework in the nursing major. The 30 credits in residence must be the last courses taken toward the degree, unless a student petitions the Educational Policies Committee and obtains, in advance, an exception to this rule.
Registered nurse students may choose to present evidence of professional experience, continuing education in nursing, specialty certification, etc., to extend the time frame for direct transfer of nursing and required prerequisite courses.
Graduates of hospital diploma programs may be granted up to 30 college credits for nursing coursework with an acceptable level of achievement on selected Regents College Examinations in nursing. An unlimited number of credits may be transferred. Residency requirements are described earlier in this section.
A complete program plan for the registered nurse student is developed in consultation with the faculty adviser to meet individual needs.
Applicants with a baccalaureate or higher degree in another field wishing to earn the bachelor of science degree in nursing are required to complete the prerequisite courses listed in the Decker School of Nursing section and required nursing coursework.
Applicants may be eligible for admission to the accelerated baccalaureate track program. See “Program Options” in the Decker School of Nursing section or contact the Decker School for more information.
Applicants to the School of Education are required to submit college transcripts and GRE scores (ifthe GRE General Test is required), as well as a résumé, personal statement and letters of reference attesting to the applicant' s teaching competence and/or potential to successfully complete graduate study.
Refer to http://soe.binghamton.edu/apply/admission.html for up-to-date information about prerequisites and application to specific programs in the School of Education.
Students who have taken two years of work at another college or university, and who wish to transfer into School of Management for their junior and senior years, should have concentrated their first two years of academic work in arts and sciences courses, attaining at least 30 hours of credit in such subjects with grades of C or better. The student’s first two years of education should therefore consist of work in the following areas: English and literature (including at least one course in compositional techniques); economics (including one course each in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory); mathematics (including at least one course in calculus); and elective coursework in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences — with special attention to courses that fulfill the University’s General Education requirements. Students may also choose to further supplement their first two years of undergraduate education with courses in the principles of financial accounting, statistics and business law. Such courses are an important foundation for the professional coursework that composes the School of Management student’s final two years of study.
While students may be able to transfer courses and/or credit in the management and accounting areas indicated above, in accordance with the school’s transfer credit policy, it is strongly recommended that students wishing to transfer concentrate their efforts on satisfying the liberal arts and foundation course requirements. Transfer credit for upper-division accounting and management coursework is not granted without ample evidence of its basic equivalency to analogous coursework taught in School of Management. Thus, students must formally “validate” all such courses for which transfer credit is requested. Normally this requires (at a minimum) completion of a detailed proficiency examination in each course area for which transfer credit is requested. The coverage of such examinations is based on the appropriate coursework as it is taught in School of Management.
Although most transfer students have completed two years of college work, students may be accepted for transfer at any time during their college careers, if space permits. Admission is usually not granted to students whose overall average for previous studies at other institutions is less than 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. Advanced-standing credit is generally granted for all work comparable to that offered by Binghamton University. In addition, up to 16 hours of free elective credit may be granted for courses not comparable to any offered by Binghamton, provided that the work was theoretical/analytical rather than applied in nature. Courses falling within this category may not include business or accounting courses. Advanced standing is not granted for courses completed with a grade lower than C.
Students transferring into the Engineering Design Division (freshman year of engineering) have their credits transferred on a course-by-course basis. Any courses in which they receive a grade of C– or better and which apply to their major requirements will transfer. Students transferring into the junior year of bioengineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, industrial and systems engineering or mechanical engineering normally hold the degree of associate of science in engineering science, as defined by the SUNY Two-Year Engineering Science Association (TYESA).
Members of TYESA have designed associate of science programs that closely match those of the Watson School so that transfer into Watson School programs is facilitated. However, special advisement is necessary for transfer into a bioengineering major.
Members of the Two-Year Engineering Science Association can be found at http://www.tyesa.org.
Transfers into engineering who expect to enter at the junior level should have completed the following courses, plus those noted especially for their major, if they intend to complete the BS in engineering in two years of full-time study, beginning in a fall semester. Credits are transferred on a course-by-course basis.
For bioengineering, transfers should select the following courses within their associate’s degree:
BS degree completion may require additional time, due to two sophomore-level bioengineering courses not currently available at other institutions.
For electrical or computer engineering, transfers should select the following courses within their associate’s degree:
For industrial and systems engineering, transfers should select the following courses within their associate’s degree:
For mechanical engineering, transfers should select the following courses within their associate’s degree:
Humanities/social sciences electives prior to junior-level engineering transfer should cover one U.S. history, one world history and one additional social science (preferably economics) to most efficiently meet Binghamton University’s General Education requirements.
For admission to computer science, students should have completed coursework in the subjects listed below. All transfer credits including computer science are awarded on a course-by-course basis. It is important to follow all guidelines as noted. Any missing courses or lack of preparation may result in additional years of study to complete degree requirements:
The University encourages certain types of students to pursue coursework on a non-matriculated basis, within certain academic limits. Thosewho wish to take courses for credit, and who intend to apply for matriculation into the University, may enroll as Continuing Education students, provided they have been out of high school at least one year and give evidence of the ability to do satisfactory work. Others, including visiting students interested in taking a limited amount of coursework for transfer or prerequisite purposes, may also do so as Continuing Education students. Finally, those individuals interested in taking credit bearing courses for their own personal improvement or enjoyment, which will not transfer into a degree from the University, may do so as a special type of Continuing Education student, known as the Lifelong Learner.
All undergraduate Continuing Education students are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with the Continuing Education & Outreach adviser to explore available options and develop a personalized educational plan to guide their efforts at Binghamton University.
Undergraduate Continuing Education students may attend part time or full time each semester, are limited to a total maximum of 24 attempted credit hours of coursework, and must maintainGPA standards set by CEO.
Beyond that point, individuals may continue taking courses at Binghamton only by gaining admission into a degree-granting program or agreeing to become a Continuing Education Lifelong Learner. Applications for admission to the University and information on deadlines are available fromUndergraduate Admissions. Students may apply for Lifelong Learner status through the Continuing Education & Outreach Advising Office.
Students suspended or dismissed from another college or university may not enter Binghamton until one major semester has elapsed since the date of dismissal. Summer Session and Winter Session are not major semesters.
Applicants 21 years or older without a high school diploma or its equivalent who have not enrolled in any previous college-level coursework may apply only as Continuing Education students. Upon earning 24 credits acceptable toward any degree program, a student of this type may apply for a high school equivalency diploma and, upon receiving it, seek admission to a degree program by completing the appropriate application for matriculation.
While Continuing Education status has certain limitations, many students have found it to be a strategic and useful way of continuing their journey toward achieving their most valued educational goals.
Students attending and in good standing at other colleges or universities who wish to enroll in the University for one or two semestersapply as Continuing Education students. This status is generally available only for Harpur College of Arts and Sciences and College of Community and Public Affairs, but inquiries about spaces in School of Education, Decker School of Nursing, School of Management and Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science should be directed to the Admissions Office. Admission as a visiting student or for one of the study-abroad programs does not imply admission to a degree program at Binghamton University. Visiting students who become interested in pursuing a degree at Binghamton must apply for admission by completing the SUNY application.
This program is open to qualified Binghamton-area secondary school and home-schooled students who wish to take coursework in the arts and sciences at Binghamton University during their junior and/or senior years.
Courses taken by College Link students carry regular University credit and will appear on their official University transcript. College Link students are considered Continuing Education students and, therefore, not admitted into a degree-granting program of the University.
Specific information concerning admissions procedures and academic standards for the College Link Program is available in the Continuing Education & Outreach administrative offices.
Binghamton University’s Continuing Education & Outreach is responsible for administratively overseeing the educational activities and academic advising of undergraduate Continuing Education students. All undergraduate Continuing Education students are directed to Continuing Education & Outreach’sAdvising Office for their initial contact. Administrative duties, school coding and most advising activitiesare handled by Continuing Education & Outreach. Once CEO students apply and are formally admitted as students into a degree-granting program,the admitting school takes over all administrative and advising duties andintra-University transfer policies take effect.
Students may satisfy their interest in a subject area or explore a new area of study through a course audit. By auditing, they participate in, but do not receive credit for, the course. Course Audit Petitions are available in the Registrar’s Office, the undergraduate advising offices and the Graduate School. Students may register for audits within the course add period only. Credit-bearing courses may not be changed to audit courses after the course-add deadline, nor may audited courses be changed to credit courses after this deadline. Audited courses do not satisfy degree requirements.
Prospective auditors are advised of the following:
New York residents 60 years of age or older may audit courses free of charge when space is available. Courses may not be taken for credit. Consent of the instructor is required. Persons interested in auditing courses are encouraged to contact the Continuing Education & Outreach adviser at 607-777-4866.
The vice provost and dean may waive the admission requirement for GRE or GMAT scores in individual cases, on the recommendation of the department’s director of graduate studies. Students who do not submit GRE or GMAT scores may also be admitted provisionally and required to submit test scores before they achieve regular matriculated status.
Admission to graduate study in any discipline does not imply admission to candidacy for a doctoral degree. Such candidacy is subject to specific requirements as defined by the several academic programs and schools. Students must have the approval of the program or school in which they wish to major before they may become candidates for the degree in a specific subject.
Application materials are available online at gradschool.binghamton.edu. Applicants should read carefully the detailed online instructions. These instructions direct applicants to mail all application materials together; transcripts and letters of recommendation should be in sealed envelopes. Online applications are processed more quickly by the Graduate School. When the completed application is received, recorded and matched with appropriate test scores, sent at the applicant’s request by the appropriate testing agency, the application is forwarded to the department or program for review.
Individual graduate programs have their own criteria for evaluation. Some programs require credentials beyond those required by the Graduate School. Applicants should read carefully the materials sent by the program and should contact the program office if they have questions.
Like other highly competitive graduate institutions, Binghamton University has deadlines for receipt of completed applications. Decisions on admission and funding are made early in the spring for the following academic year. To be considered for University funding, students must submit completed applications to the Graduate School by January 15 or the deadline specified by the graduate program (see http://gradschool.binghamton.edu/ps/faq.asp) International applicants should generally apply at least one month before these deadlines.
Applicants wishing to be considered for fellowships or assistantships may apply by checking the appropriate box on the application. No separate application for funding is required by Binghamton. Successful applicants who are residents of the state of New York are required to apply for the New York State Tuition Assistance Program. Graduate students who wish to apply for loans are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Applicants admitted as matriculated students may be placed in one of the following categories:
Applicants to the Graduate School who are citizens of other countries, whether they are enrolled in a school in the United States or abroad, are required to meet academic standards for admission to a degree program, show proficiency in English at the college level and certify that they will have the required amount of money needed for each year of study. When applicants accept offers of admission and acknowledge that they plan to attend the University, the Office of International Student and Scholar Services issues a Certificate of Eligibility, either Form I-20 (F-1visa) or Form DS-2019 (J-1 visa).
Although special circumstances may allow an individual to be admitted as a continuing education student for one term, international students (F-1 visa) generally are not eligible for admission in continuing education status.
To certify English proficiency, international applicants whose native language is not English must submit official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). However, international students who have received a degree in the United States are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Instruction in English as a second language may be required as a condition of admission; students are expected to complete such instruction satisfactorily within two semesters.
International applicants must guarantee and certify funds adequate to cover the cost of education, as posted by the Graduate School. This figure includes living expenses, tuition, fees and insurance expenses. Additional funds are needed for a spouse accompanying the student to the United States and for each child.
Admission to the Graduate School as a continuing education student is granted to applicants wishing to enroll in courses without pursuing a formal graduate degree, and who have received a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited institution.
Applicants admitted as continuing education graduate students may register for approved courses. Continuing education students should take no more than 12 credit hours if they plan to pursue a graduate degree.
Applications for continuing education admission may be obtained online at gradschool.binghamton.edu. An official transcript from the college granting the bachelor’s or higher degree must be submitted to the Graduate School no later than six weeks after the beginning of the semester.
If at a later date a student decides to apply to the Graduate School for admission to a degree program, a regular application may be obtained from the Graduate School. If the student is admitted to a degree program, the student should obtain an evaluation of graduate courses he or she has taken on a continuing education basis from the department. Through this evaluation, those courses that are found appropriate may be officially credited toward the student’s degree.
All graduate students admitted to a degree program must register for each semester, excluding summer and winter, until all degree requirements have been completed. Students who fail to maintain continuous registration, unless granted a formal leave of absence, are ineligible to resume graduate study until readmission has been approved. Students applying for readmission to a graduate program are subject to the rules, procedures, curriculum, and standards in effect at the time of readmission. Readmission is not automatic and may be subject to additional conditions set by the department or school or by the vice provost and dean of the Graduate School.
Continuing education students who fail to register for more than two consecutive semesters, excluding summers, are not permitted to register for courses until they have been readmitted.
Applications for readmission may be obtained online at gradschool.binghamton.edu. The normal application fee is assessed for all applications for readmission to Binghamton University graduate degree programs.
Consideration of Graduate Admissions Applications from Individuals Who Have Been Suspended or Expelled from a College or University for Disciplinary Reasons: Disciplinary suspension or expulsion from another college or university is not grounds for automatic rejection of an application for admission to Binghamton University. However, applications are considered incomplete until additional information is provided to Binghamton University. The applicant is required to sign a release permitting a special admissions committee convened by the vice provost and dean to obtain documents related to the disciplinary suspension or expulsion and allowing the committee to discuss the circumstances related to such action with college officials at the previous institution. Upon receipt of the required materials, the special admissions committee reviews the circumstances pertaining to such applications and makes its recommendation.
The special admissions committee may recommend acceptance of the applicant, acceptance of the applicant with restrictions on participation in university life at Binghamton University, or rejection of the applicant. An appeal of the decision of the committee may be made to the vice president for student affairs. Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Binghamton University, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, New York 13902-6000.
Consideration of Graduate Admissions Applications from Individuals with Felony Convictions: State law prohibits discrimination against those previously convicted of criminal offenses (Correction Law, S750 et seq.). However, the law permits an institution to deny an application for admission based on an individual’s prior conviction when the admission “would involve an unreasonable risk to property or to the safety or welfare of specific individuals or the general public.” (S752)
Section 753 of the Correction Law specifically sets forth the factors to be considered concerning a prior criminal conviction. These factors are as follows:
Applications for admission to Binghamton University from individuals with felony convictions are considered in accordance with the above criteria. A special admissions committee convened by the vice provost and dean reviews such applications and the applicant is required to sign a release permitting the committee to obtain documents related to criminal offenses and allowing the committee to discuss the circumstances related to such offenses with corrections officials.
Applications are considered incomplete until additional information is provided to Binghamton University. In addition to signing the release mentioned above, applicants with criminal convictions must provide a complete criminal background history. Upon receipt of the required material, the special admissions committee reviews the circumstances pertaining to such applications and makes its recommendation.
The special admissions committee may recommend acceptance of the applicant, acceptance of the applicant with restrictions on participation in university life at Binghamton University, or rejection of the applicant. An appeal of the decision of the committee may be made to the vice president for student affairs. Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Binghamton University, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, New York 13902-6000.