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Admission
Undergraduate
Admission
Students wishing to take courses for credit or pursue degree programs in
Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, the Decker School of Nursing, the School
of Management, the School of Education and Human Development, or the Thomas
J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science must be admitted to
the specific school (or readmitted if appropriate) before registering for
courses. Forms and information are available in the Undergraduate Admissions
Office. Information concerning noncredit courses is available from the Admissions
Office, the School of Education and Human Development, and the Division
of Continuing Education and Summer Programs. In addition to program information
in this Bulletin, brochures for a variety of academic programs are available
from the Admissions Office and the departments and schools. Before the start
of each academic term, the Registrar's Office publishes the schedule of
course offerings.
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Freshman Admission
(matriculated for a degree)
Freshmen are defined as students who have attempted no college course work,
or whose only college courses were pursued before high school graduation.
All of Binghamton's undergraduate schools accept freshman applicants, although
the School of Education and Human Development requires at least one year
between high school departure and enrollment. Applicants may file either
a Binghamton application available from our Admissions Office or the State
University of New York application available in all high school guidance
offices in New York State. Applications should be mailed to the Application
Processing Center in Albany, which then sends a copy of the processed application
including high school transcript to the Binghamton Admissions Office. After
receiving the processed application, Binghamton sends a Supplementary Admission
Form to each student to enable applicants to provide additional information
about themselves. Results of the Scholastic Assessment Test or American
College Testing Program must be sent directly by the testing agency to the
Admissions Office. SAT II (formerly Achievement) tests are not required,
but results are examined if submitted. Applicants must be graduates of an
accredited secondary school or offer evidence of equivalent education. Freshman
candidates should normally show completion of the following distribution
of high school courses (please note exceptions):
· 4 units of English;
· 2 1/2 units of mathematics, including intermediate algebra and geometry
(students interested in science, math, or pre-engineering majors in Harpur
College, or in management, accounting, or nursing, are advised to take four
units of math, including trigonometry and advanced algebra);
· 2 units of social science;
· 2 units of science (nursing candidates are required to include chemistry
as one of their two science courses);
· foreign language (for Harpur College applicants, two years of each
of two languages or three years of one language);
· sufficient additional academic units to meet secondary school graduation
requirements.
Note: Students entering Harpur College of Arts and Sciences who do not meet
the language requirement must fulfill the graduation requirement in foreign
language as specified in the Harpur College academic policies in this Bulletin.
Students must also make up any deficiencies in the mathematics admission
requirement prior to graduation from Harpur College.
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 $50 tuition deposit
must be paid by May 1, or 20 days after admission, whichever is later. Students
applying for campus housing must pay an additional $125 room deposit, plus
a $75 damage deposit, by May 1 or 20 days after admission, whichever is
later. The tuition and room deposits may be refunded if requested before
May 1 or 20 days after admission, whichever is later. Students who do not
enroll may receive a refund of the damage deposit upon written request.
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 registration.
The University sends these forms to each student who has paid an admission
deposit. Only in the most unusual circumstances is it legally permissible
for the University to rescind an offer of admission for health reasons.
In those infrequent cases where health or disability seems to pose a challenge
to academic success, the admitted student is invited to campus to consult
the appropriate health and/or Student Affairs officials to discuss problems
the student may encounter in pursuing the desired academic program. In such
cases, the final decision to enroll or not is the student's. Students unable
to submit health forms because of religious affiliation should consult the
University Health Service for alternatives.
How Freshman Admission Decisions Are Made
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 programs in Harpur College
of Arts and Sciences, the School of Management, the Decker School of Nursing,
and the School of Education and Human Development (SEHD), and to the engineering
and computer science programs in the Watson School. However, freshman applicants
to SEHD must have graduated or withdrawn from high school at least one year
prior to enrolling in the school. Confer with an admission counselor for
details. Admission decisions are announced on a rolling basis, with the
first letters for fall mailed on or about March 15; and for spring, sometime
in November.
Applicants to the University are admitted on the total strength of their
applications. While academic criteria such as grades, class rank, quality
and level of courses, test scores, and trend of grades are primary, involvement
in leadership and school and community activities, and how effectively an
applicant communicates strengths and interests are also important (and sometimes
crucial) elements in an admission decision. Generally, students applying
with a class rank below the top tenth or equivalent grade-point average
(GPA) may expect greater emphasis to be placed on achievements outside the
classroom. There is no automatic cutoff in the admission process, either
in GPA, rank, or test scores.
The Admissions Committee seeks to enroll the strongest and most diverse
class possible. Candi-dates are urged to make full use of the Supplementary
Admission Form, sent after the initial application reaches Binghamton University.
The Admissions Committee is sensitive to all types of achievement and welcomes
information about the candidate's values, aspirations, and personal challenges.
Students who meet both academic and financial criteria may be admitted to
the Educational Opportunity Program, and students living locally are afforded
a degree of flexibility in the admission process. Students should inquire
of guidance counselors or members of the Admissions Office staff for details.
Candidates with special skills in music, theater, or dance may request a
review of their skills by faculty members by checking the appropriate box
on the Supplementary Admission Form. Students with athletic, artistic, or
other skills may include supporting information with that form.
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Early Decision
Binghamton's Early Decision Plan is designed for truly outstanding secondary
school seniors who have carefully considered their college opportunities
and have concluded that Binghamton University is a clear first choice. Binghamton
values the enthusiasm of those who are committed to enrolling in the University.
Candidates who wish an early decision should file, no later than November
1, an application for admission to Binghamton through the Application Processing
Center, being sure to check the box for early decision. All supplemental
materials, including transcript(s), test scores, Binghamton's Supplementary
Admission Form, and a guidance counselor's letter of recommendation, should
be received in Binghamton by December 1. If an application is complete by
December 1, the Admissions Office will notify candidates of a decision by
December 31 to offer admission or to defer the final decision until March.
Candidates applying to the University under the Early Decision Plan must
sign a statement that they will withdraw any application for admission to
other colleges and will file no additional applications if they are accepted
to Binghamton and decide to enroll. A guidance counselor must also acknowledge
the candidate's commitment by signing the appropriate form.
If offered admission, Early Decision candidates must send a deposit of $250
to reserve a place in the class. Candidates not offered admission will have
their applications reconsidered with those of other candidates during the
winter meetings of the Admissions Committee. Notifications of final decisions
are normally mailed to these candidates no later than April 1.
Early Decision candidates who wish to be considered for financial aid should
file the CSS Profile form available from the College Scholarship Service,
Princeton, NJ and from most high school guidance offices. A tentative financial
award will be announced shortly after notification of acceptance. The Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must also be filed, as well
as the TAP application (for New York residents), by the annual deadline,
typically March 1.
Early Admission
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's meeting the normal entrance requirements
(course units) 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.
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Advanced Placement
Academic credit, advanced placement, or both may be awarded for college-level
work completed in secondary school or in college prior to matriculation
at Binghamton University. Consideration is based on evaluation of an official
transcript, the Advanced Placement (AP) tests of the College Board, the
subject-area exams of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) given
by some Binghamton academic departments, and any other exams indicated under
the academic sections of each undergraduate division of the University.
Advanced Placement exams with a grade of 3 or better are approved for some
credit, with the amount and applicability determined by the appropriate
academic unit. The same is also true for mean scores earned on subject exams
of CLEP. Specific AP course equivalencies can be found in the front of the
Orientation Academic Handbook, a document available at summer orientation
and through the Academic Advising Office.
Harpur College of Arts and Sciences allows students to count up to 32 credits
of external examination credit toward the degree. External examination credit
includes those credits earned through CLEP, RCEP (Regents' College Exams
Program), AP, or IB (International Baccalaureate, higher level) with scores
of 4 or above, through USAFI/DANTES (United States Armed Forces Institute/Defense
Activity for Non-Traditional Education Services), or through examination
from other institutions or correspondence.
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Internal Transfer
Students enroll in a specific undergraduate school at Binghamton University.
If internal transfer to a different school is sought, a formal application
for intra-university transfer must be obtained from the Undergraduate Admissions
Office and submitted by the deadline. Spaces for transfer to some programs
are limited and competition is keen. Students should apply well before the
beginning of the semester in which enrollment is desired.
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Readmission
See General Admission Policies listed elsewhere in this bulletin.
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Deferred Admission
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 given but, dependent
on the admission competition and general demand for deferrals, may be granted
for some of the undergraduate schools.
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International Student
Admission
Applicants who are citizens of other countries, whether they are enrolled
in a school in the United States or abroad, should request special international
student admission forms from the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
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 matriculated in a degree program.
To certify English proficiency, international applicants whose native language
is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Information about the examination may be obtained by writing:
TOEFL/TSE Publications
P.O. Box 6154
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6154
U.S.A.
Generally, a minimum TOEFL score of 550 is required for admission.
Students are required to provide their own funds for tuition, fees, room,
board, insurance, and personal expenses. Currently, this figure is estimated
to be approximately $19,000 for one calendar year and can be expected to
increase by at least 10 percent each year. The University cannot provide
financial assistance to international undergraduate students. Nor can study
be financed through employment: the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization
Service 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.
Details regarding admission policies and procedures for international students
are sent to all prospective applicants.
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Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
Under the state-supported Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Binghamton
provides an avenue for low-income students from historically underrepresented
backgrounds to pursue a bachelor's degree. Students with unrealized potential
and talent are provided with financial assistance, tutoring and counseling,
the chance to take advantage of credit-bearing developmental courses where
needed, and other services required to provide a transition into any one
of the degree programs offered by the University. Continued enrollment in
EOP is contingent on meeting program expectations and use of these services.
The Educational Opportunity Program comprises a diverse group of students
from different kinds of backgrounds and areas within New York State. The
program has produced many notable success stories, and students who enter
the program may look forward to excellent opportunities, from the challenge
and excitement offered in the pre-freshman summer enrichment program, to
graduation. Students who believe they may qualify for this program should
fill out the basic application. They are also required to complete Binghamton's
Supplementary Admission Form and may be required to have a personal interview.
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Transfer Admission
(matriculated for a degree)
Transfer students are those who have attempted college courses following
high school graduation. Transfer students should submit an application to
the Application Processing Center in Albany. However, all transcripts should
be sent directly to the Admissions Office in Binghamton. The same high school
requirements apply to transfer students, but admission decisions are usually
made on the basis of college work, pending the receipt of high school transcripts.
Students admitted because of strong college work need not be concerned that
a weaker high school record will adversely affect a decision already made.
It is essential that a high school transcript, or equivalent, be received
well before enrollment, so that a complete transfer credit evaluation can
be made promptly. The sooner the high school record is received, the sooner
the final evaluation can be made. Please note: students applying for transfer
admission during their first year of college must submit an official copy
of their high school transcript and 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.
Transfer admission for the Watson School is selective, but the school welcomes
engineering and computer science transfers. Please see the appropriate academic
section of this Bulletin for additional information.
Transfer admission to the School of Education and Human Development is selective.
Candidates generally need an average of 2.5 or better to gain admission.
Candidates are required to complete the Supplementary Admission Form to
help the SEHD Admissions Committee gain a better understanding of the students'
educational goals and objectives.
Transfer spaces for the School of Management are limited. Admission is granted
primarily on the basis of academic proficiency in appropriate courses; candidates
generally need about a B average for admission. Completion of the Supplementary
Admission Form is strongly encouraged.
Harpur College usually provides a substantial number of transfer spaces
and, while admission is selective, students with about a B average are encouraged
to apply.
Transfer admission to the 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. Please see the
Program Options section under Decker School of Nursing in this Bulletin.
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Articulation Agreements
Articulation agreements between Binghamton University and community colleges
throughout the state have been established to facilitate the transfer of
students from those colleges into the various programs and schools of the
University. Agreements exist with Adirondack Community College, Berkshire
Community College, Broome Community College, Columbia-Greene Community College,
Cornell Air Force ROTC, Corning Community College, Dutchess Community College,
Erie Community College, Community College of the Finger Lakes, Fulton-Montgomery
Community College, Jefferson Community College, Keystone Junior Community
College, Middlesex Community College, Nassau Community College, Schenectady
County Community College, Suffolk Community College, Sullivan County Community
College, and Tompkins-Cortland Community College. Articulation agreements
also exist with Bryant and Stratton Business Institute of Syracuse, Cazenovia
College, Kolej Damansara College, Miami-Dade Community College, SUNY College
of Optometry and SUNY Health Science Center. Students who meet the criteria
specified in the agreements and whose applications are completed early are
generally admitted and encouraged to enroll.
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Transfer Credit
The awarding of transfer credit (including credit from cross-registration
and articulation agreements and overseas study) is determined by each undergraduate
school. Evaluations are completed by the Academic Advising Office in consultation
with the deans of each school and, in respect to General Education, with
the vice provost for undergraduate studies. While final authority on credit
acceptance lies with the deans or the vice provost for undergraduate studies,
questions regarding transfer credit decisions can be discussed with the
Academic Advising staff in your school.
HARPUR COLLEGE OF ARTS
AND SCIENCES
Credit is usually granted for liberal arts courses completed at other 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.
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
The School of Education and Human Development 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 where 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 120 credits to complete degree requirements.
Transfer students to the bachelor of science program in applied social sciences
are automatically granted 60 credits for their associate degree. Students
transferring into the BA program receive 60 credits in transfer if at least
30 credits of their associate 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 school also considers for possible academic credit or advanced placement,
or both, any college-level work offered through such approved off-campus
programs as the University of the Air, the Independent Study Program, RCEP,
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 aca-demic and advanced-standing credit
should be addressed to the academic advisor of the School of Education and
Human Development. Official transcripts and certificates of completion submit-ted
by applicants for transfer credit are evaluated by the academic advisor.
The final decision to deny or grant academic credit or advanced standing
in each instance rests with the dean.
SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Students who have taken two years of work at another college or university,
and who wish to transfer into the 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); elective
coursework in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Students
may also choose to further supplement their first two years of undergraduate
education with courses in principles of accounting, statistics, and business
law. Such courses are an important foundation for the professional course
work that comprises the School of Management student's final two years of
study.
Students may be able to transfer some courses and/or credit in the management
and accounting areas, in accordance with the school's transfer credit policy.
However, 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-level professional course work is not granted
without ample evidence of its basic equivalency to analogous course work
taught in the School of Management. Thus, students must formally "validate"
all such courses for which transfer credit is requested. Normally this re-
quires (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 course work as it is taught
in the School of Management.
Students transferring into the School of Management from two-year colleges
normally are limited to a maximum of 68 hours of transfer credit. For students
with more than 68 credit hours, credit for courses that are offered by the
School of Management will be considered before credit for liberal arts courses.
As a result, credits in liberal arts beyond 68 credit hours cannot be transferred.
Although most transfer students have completed two years of college work,
students can be accepted for transfer at any time during their college career,
if space permits. Admission is usually not granted to students whose overall
average for previous studies at other institutions is less than 3.0 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
elective credit may be granted for courses not comparable to any offered
by Binghamton, provided that the work was analytical rather than descriptive
in nature. Courses falling within this category cannot include business
or accounting courses. Advanced standing is not granted for courses completed
with a grade lower than C.
DECKER SCHOOL OF NURSING
The 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 course work 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:
1. Evidence of a minimum of one semester of full-time college study, including
science and other courses prerequisite to the nursing major.
2. Review of high school transcript if there has been no prerequisite science
course.
3. Competitive cumulative GPA of 2.7 or above.
Other considerations include:
Student's personal statement
Extracurricular activities
Quality of previous college or university work
Trend of semester grades
Demonstrated evidence of talent in athletics, performing arts, fine arts,
leadership, or other areas
Letters of recommendation
Assessed potential for success
A maximum of 64 liberal arts and science course credits may be transferred
from a community college. A minimum of 128 credits is needed to meet the
program requirements. Credit for liberal arts and science course work, 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 where
the student has received a grade of D can not be transferred. Credit for
upper-division nursing course work taken in another baccalaureate nursing
program will also be evaluated on an individual basis. Please see "Transfer
Student Admission" in the Decker School of Nursing section or contact
the Decker School for more information.
Registered Nurse Students
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 in New York
State may transfer up to 24 credits of nursing coursework. Twenty credits
may be used to fulfill nursing major requirements and four credits will
count toward the degree as general elective credits. An additional 60 liberal
arts credits from the community college setting are transferrable, bringing
the maximum number of transfer credits accepted to 84 credits. There is
no limit on the number of liberal arts transfer credits from four-year colleges
and universities. Residency requirements of the University of at least 7
1/2 courses (30 credits) will be 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 students petition the Education
Policies Committee and obtain, in advance, an exception to this rule.
The Decker School may require comprehensive examinations, such as selected
Nursing Regents College Examinations or National League for Nursing Mobility
Examinations for registered nurse students for whom coursework was taken
more than 10 years ago. Registered nurse students may choose to present
evidence of professional experience, continuing education in nursing, specialty
certification, etc., to extend the timeframe for direct transfer of nursing
and required prerequisite courses.
Graduates of hospital diploma programs and those RNs from out-of-state associate
degree in nursing programs that are not NLN accredited may be granted up
to 24 college credits for nursing coursework with an acceptable level of
achievement on selected Regents College Examinations in nursing or the NLN
Mobility Examinations. Diploma graduates who obtain 24 credits via the above
process may transfer up to 60 liberal arts credits from community colleges.
An unlimited number of credits may be transferred from other four-year colleges
and universities. Residency requirements are as described earlier in this
section.
A complete program plan for the Registered Nurse student is developed in
consultation with the faculty advisor to meet individual needs.
Applicants with Baccalaureate Degrees in Other Fields
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. Please see "Program Options"
in the Decker School of Nursing section or contact the Decker School for
more information.
Watson School of Engineering And Applied Science
Bachelor of Science in Engineering
Students transferring into the Division of Engineering Design (freshman
and sophomore years of engineering) will 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.
The first two years of the engineering programs are the same for either
major. Students transferring into the junior year of either electrical 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. Students from other programs should have equivalent transferable
credit in the following subjects:
Mathematics through differential equations and LaPlace transforms
Three courses in calculus-based physics
One course in chemistry
One course in materials science or modern physics, or a second course in
chemistry
One course in English composition or technical writing
Two courses in engineering mechanics (statics and dynamics)
A first course in electrical circuits
Eight semester-credits in humanities and/or social sciences
Proficiency in engineering graphics and in a computer language (FORTRAN,
Pascal, or C )
Students transferring as juniors into the electrical or mechanical engineering
programs with the associate in engineering science degrees will usually
receive 60 credits (junior standing) for the associate degree. Those who
transfer into mechanical engineering having completed thermodynamics and/or
strength of materials from a New York State community college will have
the course(s) waived, substituting free elective credits to replace those
junior year courses.
Those who do not have the associate degree are awarded credit on a course
by course basis, up to 60 credits. Any credits completed in addition to
the usual associate degree requirements are reviewed separately by the department
of major. Upper-division credits earned, with a grade of C- or better, at
any ABET-accredited four year institution are usually transferred whenever
applicable to major requirements.
BS in Computer Science
Students transferring to the BS program in computer science have their transcripts
evaluated course-by-course. Those who have completed the following courses
with no less than a C- in each may finish the program with four full-time
semesters of study:
Calculus I and II
Physics I and II or a two-course sequence in another science
A two-course sequence in Pascal and data structures
Eight credits of English or communications
Sixteen credits of social science or humanities
Entry-level courses in logic design, computer organization and assembly
language programming, statistics, and discrete structures
An entry-level course in computer organization and assembly language programming
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Non-Degree Students
Students admitted under non-degree status may not matriculate for a degree
until they have been admitted to a specific program. Applications and information
on deadlines are available from the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
Non-degree students may generally take no more than nine credit hours each
semester of an academic year. With the exception of applicants for summer
sessions, students may not enroll as non-degree students unless at least
one year has passed since their last secondary school course work. Students
who wish to obtain a baccalaureate degree at some future time should consult
with an academic advisor before enrolling with non-degree status for more
than two consecutive semesters.
School of Education and Human Development
Applicants who wish to take courses for credit, but not toward a degree,
may enroll as non-matriculated students in the School of Education and Human
Development (SEHD), provided they have been out of high school at least
one year and give evidence of the ability to do satisfactory work. Applicants
21 years or older without a high school diploma or its equivalent may apply
only as non-matriculated students. Upon earning 24 credits, acceptable toward
any degree program, such students may apply for a high school equivalency
diploma and, upon receiving it, seek admission as matriculated students.
Visiting Students
Students attending and in good standing at other colleges or universities
who wish to enroll in a division of the University for one or two semesters
may apply as visiting (non-matriculated) students. This status is generally
available only for Harpur and the School of Education and Human Development,
but inquiries about spaces in the Decker School, the School of Management,
and the Watson School 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 with the SUNY application.
Concurrent Enrollment
This program is available to students enrolled in Binghamton area high schools
who wish to take course work in Harpur College during their junior or senior
year. These courses are for credit, but students are not matriculated for
a degree. Specific information concerning procedures and academic standards
is available in the Admissions Office.
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Auditors
Students may audit-that is, participate in but not receive credit for-a
course with the consent of the instructor. Before auditing a course, full-time
students must also obtain the approval of the Academic Advising Office.
The instructor determines the regulations for participation by auditors.
When students audit a course, the word audit appears on the schedule card
in place of the grade and grade points. Students who audit a course may
not receive credit for it later without retaking the course. Information
on application procedures may be obtained from the Admissions Office.
Older Adults As Auditors
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. Permission
of the instructor is required. Persons interested in auditing courses are
encouraged to contact the Academic Advising Office in SW 110, 607-777-6305.
Academic Integrity
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
if the violation is discovered before enrollment.
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Graduate Admission
Requirements for
Matriculation
1. A bachelor's degree from any college or university of recognized standing,
or the equivalent.
2. Official transcripts of all previous college work (submitted in a sealed
envelope with the application).
3. At least two letters of recommendation from people acquainted with the
applicant's academic achievements at the institution most recently attended.
Letters are submitted in sealed envelopes with the application. Applicants
who have been out of school for more than five years may use other references.
4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical).
Test scores for the GRE advanced examination should also be submitted in
those disciplines where GRE advanced tests are given. Applicants for admission
to programs in the School of Management should submit Graduate Management
Admissions Test (GMAT) scores in lieu of GRE scores. Please submit a photocopy
of your test scores, if possible, and order the results sent officially
by ETS to the Graduate Admissions Office.
Applicants for the fall semester are urged to take the GRE at the December
testing or earlier, as the results of later testings are frequently not
available in time for admission and financial aid decisions. Information
may be obtained by writing:
Graduate Record Examination
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6000
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6000
Applicants for fall-semester admission to the School of Management are encouraged
to take the GMAT at the January testing or earlier. Information about the
examinations may be obtained by writing:
Graduate Management Admissions Test
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6103
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6103
5. A personal statement, a completed application form, and the application
fee ($50 in 1996) and payment form. These and all other required documents
are submitted together, as the instructions on the application explain.
6. Recommendation by the department for admission, and approval by the vice
provost for graduate studies and teaching.
The vice provost 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
can 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 departments and schools. Students must have the
approval of the department or school in which they wish to major before
they can become candidates for the degree in a specific subject.
Procedures
Application materials may be obtained by writing to the Graduate Admissions
Office, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, New York 13902-6000.
Applicants should read the detailed instructions on the application with
care. These instructions direct applicants to enclose all application materials
together; completed applications, including transcripts and letters of recommendation
in sealed envelopes, are processed more quickly and efficiently by the Graduate
Admissions Office. When the completed application is matched with appropriate
test scores, sent at the applicant's request by Educational Testing Service,
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 year. To be considered
for financial aid, students must submit completed applications to the Graduate
Admissions Office by February 15; some programs, including clinical psychology,
require completed applications by February 1. For fall admission without
aid, completed applications should arrive by April 15. For spring admission,
completed applications should arrive by November 1. Some programs have different
deadlines; applicants should consult the materials sent by their program.
International applicants on F or J visas should apply one month before these
deadlines.
Applicants wishing to be considered for fellowships or assistantships may
apply by completing the appropriate section of the regular application.
No separate application for funding is required by Binghamton, though successful
applicants are required to apply for the New York State Tuition Assistance
Program, and graduate students who apply for loans are required to fill
out other forms.
Applicants admitted as matriculated students may be placed in one of the
following categories:
Degree status: students are admitted as fully qualified to undertake a program
toward a graduate degree.
Provisional admission: students whose credentials are incomplete may be
admitted provisionally. Once the missing documentation is received, they
will automatically become regularly admitted, this change being implemented
by the Graduate Admissions Office. All missing documentation should be submitted
during the student's first semester. Students under provisional admission
will not be allowed to register for successive semesters unless approval
is specifically granted by the vice provost.
Conditional admission: students who do not meet academic requirements for
admission, as determined by their programs, may be admitted conditionally.
It is expected that specific conditions for admission to regular status,
and a timetable for fulfilling those conditions, will be identified by the
program at the time of conditional admission. Each semester, the program
will review the student's progress toward satisfying those conditions and
recommend appropriate action by the vice provost.
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Non-Matriculated
Admission
Admission to the Graduate School as a non-matriculated (non-degree) student
is granted to applicants who present appropriate evidence of having completed
undergraduate and/or graduate work in a satisfactory manner and who have
received a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited institution.
Applicants admitted as non-matriculated graduate students may register for
approved undergraduate or graduate courses by obtaining the written permission
of the course instructor or the chair of the department. If the instructor
cannot be reached prior to registration day, approval may be requested from
the department chair or advisor at registration.
Applications for non-matriculated admission may be obtained from the Graduate
Admissions Office. A transcript from the college granting the bachelor's
degree must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office 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 admissions packet may be obtained
from the Graduate Admissions Office. If the student is admitted to a degree
program, an evaluation of the graduate courses that have been taken on a
non-matriculated basis should be requested from the department. Through
this evaluation, those courses that are found appropriate may be officially
credited toward the student's degree.
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International Student
Admission
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, show proficiency in English on
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, they are sent an
I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant Student Status (F-1).
Although special circumstances may allow an individual to be admitted as
a non-matriculated student for one term, international students (F-1 visa)
generally are not eligible for admission in non-matriculated status.
To certify English proficiency, international applicants whose native language
is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
However, international students who have received a degree in the United
States are not required to submit TOEFL scores. Information about the examination
may be obtained by writing:
TOEFL/TSE Publications
P.O. Box 6154
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6154
U.S.A.
Normally, a minimum TOEFL score of 550 is required for admission. Some graduate
programs require TOEFL scores above the 550 minimum. 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 a minimum of $18,400 per year to
cover expenses. This figure includes living expenses, tuition, fees, and
insurance expenses. An additional $3,500 is needed for a spouse accompanying
the student to the United States, and $2,000 for the first child. An additional
$1,000 for each additional child must be guaranteed. The University can
provide financial assistance only to a limited number of international students,
who must apply for it in advance. The Immigration and Naturalization Service
rarely grants permission for international students to seek employment while
in the United States. The minimum resources of $18,400 refer only to the
1995-96 academic year at the time of publication. Prospective students will
be notified of any cost increases.
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Readmission
All graduate students admitted to a degree program must register for each
semester, excluding summer, 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 for graduate studies and teaching.
Non-matriculated students who fail to register for more than two consecutive
semesters, excluding summer, are not permitted to register for courses until
they have been readmitted.
Applications for readmission may be obtained from the Graduate Admissions
Office. A fee of $50 is assessed for all applications for readmission to
Binghamton University graduate degree programs.
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