Application Process

The admissions process at SUNY Potsdam is highly individualized. Each application is thoroughly evaluated to discover the wide variety of skills and talent sought in prospective graduate students. Applications are judged on multiple criteria, such as grade point average, personal statement and letters of recommendation. 

SUNY Potsdam operates on a rolling admission policy, which means that once a candidate has submitted all of the required application materials, the Office of Graduate Studies forwards the materials to the appropriate School and academic department for an admission decision. The Graduate Admissions Committee of the selected program of study reviews the candidate’s application and forwards a recommendation to the Dean of Graduate Studies. The Dean of Graduate Studies communicates to the prospective graduate candidate the rendered decision.

Matriculated Students  

Matriculated students have completed the SUNY Potsdam application form, paid an application fee, had credentials reviewed by the Office of Graduate Studies and the appropriate academic area, been accepted as degree candidates, registered for classes and attended them at least one day. Such students are considered to be matriculated until they graduate or are dismissed.

Matriculated students will be granted one of two enrollment statuses:

  • Provisional Admission -Granted to qualified applicants who do not yet meet certain admission requirements (e.g., undergraduate prerequisites).
  • Full Admission - Granted to applicants who have satisfied all admission requirements.
To apply, download and complete the  Graduate Application Form (PDF) and mail it to:

Graduate Studies Office
SUNY Potsdam
44 Pierrepont Avenue
Potsdam, New York 13676-2294
 

Non-Matriculated Students

Students who have an interest in graduate study but who have not yet applied for admission into a master's degree program may under certain circumstances enroll as non-matriculated at SUNY Potsdam. Non-matriculated students are those who have not been formally admitted to the College and are not degree candidates.

A non-matriculated graduate student is limited to taking a maximum of 6 graduate credits on a non-matriculated basis. Upon completion of the 6 graduate credits, if not before, the student is required to apply for formal admission to a master’s degree program and must be granted Provisional or Full Admission before being allowed to register for further coursework. Courses taken on a non-matriculated basis will not apply to a graduate program unless approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Students interested in non-matriculated attendance should complete the Non-Matriculated Student Application Form (PDF).