Students wishing to take courses for credit or pursue degree programs in
Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, Decker School of Nursing, School of
Education and Human Development, 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. Forms and information
are available in the Undergraduate Admissions Office. Information concerning
non-credit courses is available from 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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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):
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.
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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, Decker School of Nursing, School of Education and Human Development, School of Management and Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science. Admission decisions are announced on a rolling basis, with the first letters for fall mailed on or about Jan. 15. For spring, decisions are mailed beginning in early 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, as the Admissions Committee is well 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 encouraged to apply. These students may wish to submit scores of SAT II exams, but are not required to do so unless explicitly directed by the Admissions Committee. Such a requirement is made in the absence of adequate academic documentation.
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 included with the campus-based application or sent after the initial application reaches Binghamton University for forms obtained in local schools. Both versions of the form request the same information. One application offers no advantage over the other in the admission process, as long as students submit complete information to help the Admissions Committee learn all they have accomplished. Students may also file an application electronically by going to the University’s website at www.binghamton.edu.
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 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.
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. Note that persons who have not graduated from high school may be ineligible for some forms of financial aid.
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 may be found in the front of the Orientation Academic Handbook, a document available at summer Orientation and through the academic advising offices.
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.
The following all-University policy applies to entering students who have completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma: such students receive a full year’s credit (32 credit hours) if they have achieved a total of 30 or more points on the IB diploma and have passed at least three higher-level exams with scores of 5 or higher. IB Diploma students also receive credit for the General Education requirement in Composition. If a student scores 5 or better on a corresponding higher-level exam, the student is also exempt from the General Education requirement in Aesthetics and Mathematics. For other students who have participated in the IB program, eight credit hours are given for each higher-level exam passed with a score of 6 or 7. For higher-level exams passed with a score of 4 or 5, four credits continue to be given.
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.
See general admission policies listed elsewhere in this Bulletin.
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 them, may be granted for some of the undergraduate schools.
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 enrolled 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
PO Box 6154
Princeton, NJ 08541-6154
USA
Generally, a minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the "old" TOEFL, or a score of 213 on the computerized version, 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 at approximately $19,500 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 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.
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 students are those who have attempted college courses following high school graduation. New York resident transfer students should submit an application to the Application Processing Center in Albany. Non-residents send their applications to the Binghamton Admissions Office. Transcripts from all applicants 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.
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.
Harpur College usually provides a substantial number of transfer spaces and, while admission is selective, students with about a 3.0 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. See the Program Options section under Decker School of Nursing in this Bulletin.
Transfer admission to the School of Education and Human Development is selective. Candidates generally need an average of 3.0 (B) or better to gain admission. Candidates are required to complete the Supplementary Admission Form (a separate form for New York versions of the application, but integrated fully into the out-of-state version) to help the SEHD Admissions Committee gain a better understanding of the student’s educational goals and objectives.
Transfer spaces for the 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 the 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 Bulletin for additional information.
Articulation agreements between Binghamton University and community colleges
throughout the state 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, Finger Lakes Community College,
Fulton-Montgomery Community College, Jefferson Community College, Keystone
Junior Community College, Middlesex Community College, Nassau Community College,
Onondaga Community College, Schenectady County Community College, Suffolk County
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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The awarding of transfer credit is determined by each undergraduate school. Evaluations are completed by the advising office of each school, then prepared and mailed by the Admissions Office. Questions regarding transfer credit decisions may be discussed with the academic advising staff in your school.
Admission is competitive and based upon:
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 may transfer up to 24 credits of nursing coursework. Twenty credits may be used to fulfill nursing major requirements and four credits count toward the degree as general elective credits. An additional 60 liberal arts credits from the community college setting are transferable, 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 seven and one-half 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 a student petitions the Educational Policies Committee and obtains, in advance, an exception to this rule.
The Decker School may require selected Regents College Examinations in nursing for registered nurses who completed nursing coursework 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 time frame for direct transfer of nursing and required prerequisite courses.
Graduates of hospital diploma programs may be granted up to 24 college credits for nursing coursework with an acceptable level of achievement on selected Regents College Examinations in nursing. 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 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 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.
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 approved off-campus programs such 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 academic 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 submitted 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.
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.
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 require ments 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 (TYESA). Members of TYESA have designed associate of science programs which closely match that of the Watson School so that tranfer into the Watson School program is facilitated. Members of the Two-Year Engineering Science Association are: Adirondack Community College, Alfred Agricultural and Technical College, Broome Community College, Canton College of Technology, Cayuga County Community College, Columbia-Greene Community College, Corning Community College, Delhi Agricultural and Technical College, Dutchess Community College, Erie Community College, SUNY Farmingdale, Finger Lakes Community College, Fulton-Montgomery Community College, Genesee Community College, Herkimer County Community College, Hudson Valley Community College, Jamestown Community College, Jefferson Community College, Manhattan Community College, Mohawk Valley Community College, Morrisville Agricultural and Technical College, Nassau Community College, Onondaga Community College, Orange County Community College, Rockland Community College, Suffolk Community College, Tompkins-Cortland Community College, and Ulster County Community College. Students from other programs should have equivalent transferable credit in the following subjects:
Calculus I, II, III and differential equations
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 require ments 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, and discrete mathematics
- Physics I and II or a two-course sequence in another science
- A two-course sequence in C++ and data structures
- Eight credits of English or communications
- Sixteen credits of social science or humanities
- Entry-level courses in logic design and in computer organization and assembly language programming
The University welcomes students to pursue courses on a non-degree basis, with certain limits. Applicants who wish to take courses for credit, but not toward a degree, may enroll as non-matriculated (non-degree) students, provided they have been out of high school at least one year and give evidence of the ability to do satisfactory work. Non-degree students may take a part-time or full-time course load each semester. However, 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 coursework. Students who wish to obtain a baccalaureate degree at some future time should consult with an academic adviser. 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 sessions are not major semesters.
Students admitted under non-degree status may not enroll for a degree until they have been admitted to a specific program. Applications and information on deadlines are available from the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
Applicants 21 years or older without a high school diploma or its equivalent may apply only as non-matriculated (non-degree) 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 to a degree program by completing the appropriate application. IMPORTANT: Any non-degree student who completes 24 credits is required to apply for degree-seeking status or indicate in writing that he/she does not intend to pursue a degree from Binghamton University. While non-degree status has limitations, many students have found it a very helpful way to further their educational interests.
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-degree) students. This status is generally available only for Harpur College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education and Human Development, but inquiries about spaces in 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.
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:
1. Students who audit a course must pay full tuition.
2. Audit students are expected to attend class regularly and to fulfill course requirements. Successful completion is listed on the transcript with a notation of AU in place of the grade; the course is expunged from the record if the student fails to meet the requirements.
3. A course taken on an audit basis will not be counted in determining full-time status for financial aid eligibility, student loan deferments, NCAA eligibility, assistantship or fellowship eligibility, on-campus housing, or for some health insurance coverage.
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 Harpur college academic advising office in Student Wing 110, 607-777-6305.
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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A bachelor’s degree from any college or university of recognized standing, or the equivalent.
2. Two 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 in which 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. Submit a photocopy of your test scores, if possible, and order the results sent officially by ETS to the Graduate School.
5. A personal statement, a completed application form and the application fee ($50 in 1999) 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 dean of the Graduate School.
The 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 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 may become candidates for the degree in a specific subject.
Application materials may be obtained by writing to the Graduate School, Binghamton University, PO 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 School. 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 School by Feb. 15; some programs, including clinical psychology, require completed applications by Jan. 1. For fall admission without aid, completed applications should arrive by April 15. For spring admission, completed applications should arrive by Nov. 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.
• 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 dean.
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.
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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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.
Normally, a minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL, or a score of 213 on the computerized version, is required for admission. Some graduate programs require TOEFL scores above the 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 $19,600 per year to cover expenses. This figure includes living expenses, tuition, fees and insurance expenses. An additional $4,000 is needed for a spouse accompanying the student to the United States and $2,000 for each child. 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 $19,600 refer only to the 1999-2000 academic year at the time of publication. Prospective students will be notified of any cost increases.
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 dean of the Graduate School.
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 School. A fee of $50 is assessed for all applications for readmission to Binghamton University graduate degree programs.
Special Graduate Research-Skill Courses
(may not be offered every year)
GRAD 598. CURRICULAR PRACTICAL 1 cr.
TRAINING
Students may gain academic credit for meaningful practical
training in an off-campus internship or practicum related to their academic
field. Provides significant experience related to student’s career goals.
Does not contribute to credit requirements for graduation.
ARAB 597. INDEPENDENT STUDY 1-4 cr.
Reading and/or research in Arabic language or literature.
May be repeated.
ARAB 707. RESEARCH SKILLS 1-4 cr.
For example, bibliography or source-citation.
Classics
CLASS 597. INDEPENDENT STUDY 1-4 cr.
Reading and research under direction of faculty in
Classics. May be repeated.
German
GERM 597. INDEPENDENT STUDY 1-4 cr.
Reading and/or research in German language or literature.
May be repeated.
GERM 707. RESEARCH SKILLS 1-4 cr.
Development of research skills required within graduate
programs. May not be applied toward course credits for any graduate degree.
Prerequisite: approval of relevant graduate program directors or department
chairs.
GERM 707B. RESEARCH SKILLS 1-4 cr.
Concurrent with GERM 101-102, 203-204 or 305-306.
GRK 597. INDEPENDENT STUDY 1-4 cr.
Reading and/or research in Greek language and literature.
May be repeated.
GRK 707. RESEARCH SKILLS 1-4 cr.
For example, bibliography or source-citation.
HEBR 597. INDEPENDENT STUDY 1-4 cr.
Reading and/or research in Hebrew language and literature.
May be repeated.
HEBR 707. RESEARCH SKILLS 1-4 cr.
For example, bibliography or source-citation.
LAT 597. INDEPENDENT STUDY 1-4 cr.
Reading and/or research in Latin language and literature.
May be repeated.
LAT 707. RESEARCH SKILLS 1-4 cr.
For example, bibliography or source-citation.
LING 597. INDEPENDENT STUDY 1-4 cr.
Reading and research under direction of faculty in
linguistics. May be repeated.
PERS 597. INDEPENDENT STUDY 1-4 cr.
Reading and/or research in Persian language and literature.
May be repeated.
PERS 707. RESEARCH SKILLS 1-4 cr.
Development of research skills required within graduate
programs. May not be applied toward course credits for any graduate degree.
Prerequisite: approval of relevant graduate program directors or department
chairs.
RUSS 597. INDEPENDENT STUDY 1-4 cr.
Reading and/or research in Russian language and literature.
May be repeated.
RUSS 707. RESEARCH SKILLS 1-4 cr.
Development of research skills required within graduate programs. May not
be applied toward course credits for any graduate degree. Prerequisite:
approval of relevant graduate program directors or department chairs.
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 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.
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:
1. In making a determination pursuant to section 752 of this chapter, the public agency or private employer shall consider the following factors:
a. The public policy of this state, as expressed in this act, to encourage the licensure and employment of persons previously convicted of one or more criminal offenses.
b. The specific duties and responsibilities necessarily related to the license or employment sought.
c. The bearing, if any, the criminal offense or offenses for which the person was previously convicted will have on his fitness or ability to perform one or more such duties or responsibilities.
d. The time that has elapsed since the occurrence of the criminal offense or offenses.
e. The age of the person at the time of occurrence of the criminal offense or offenses.
f. The seriousness of the offense or offenses.
g. Any information produced by the person, or produced on his behalf, in regard to his rehabilitation and good conduct.
h. The legitimate interest of the public agency or private employer in protecting property, and the safety and welfare of specific individuals or the general public.
2 . In making a determination pursuant to section 752 of this chapter, 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 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.