Visiting Student is a non-degree seeking status at SUNY Potsdam.
Contact the Registrar's Office at registrar@potsdam.edu or (315) 267-3500 for information on becoming a visiting undergraduate or graduate student.
Visiting Student (Non-Degree Seeking) Application
Please complete this fillable Non-Matriculated Application (PDF) form (for undergraduate and graduate non-matriculated students) and upload it to the secure drop box here.
View Non-Matriculated Student Checklist (PDF)
Non-Matriculated Options
- Microcredentials
Microcredentials are groups of credit-bearing courses that help you gain career skills. You can use them toward a degree or certificate program, or as credentials in your field of interest.
- College in High School
For current HS students seeking to enroll in a course for credit at their High School
- College Advancement Program
For current HS students seeking to register for a course at Potsdam for college credit.
If you have been enrolled in an undergraduate program previously, or if you have completed a degree and are returning to seek a second bachelor's, you are considered to be a "readmitted student", and you will need to apply through the Admissions Office. View Undergraduate Readmission Website
Admission Criteria - Undergraduate
Note: All Admissions material should be uploaded to our secure drop box.
Current High School Student – Take a course at Potsdam
- Minimum 80.0 grade point average in a Regents/college preparatory curriculum as reported on an official high school transcript
- A letter of recommendation from high school principal and/or guidance counselor
Current High School Student (Coursework at your High School) - College in High School (CHS)
- High School Junior or Senior. Sophomores may be considered with letter of recommendation from Guidance Office.
- Minimum of 80.0 grade point average in a Regents/College preparatory curriculum as indicated on an official high school transcript.
- Visit the CHS website for more information and to register.
High School Graduate
- Official High School transcript or GED certificate
Currently Enrolled Student with another College or University
- An official transcript through last semester attended
- Students must have both a current and overall minimum grade point average of 2.0 to be admitted
- Students who have been dismissed or separated from a college or university, and who are not eligible to return, do not qualify for admission as a non-matriculated student
College Graduate
- Official transcript from your most recent institution
Previously Enrolled Student with another College or University
- An official transcript through the final semester attended
- Students must have both a current and overall minimum grade point average of 2.0 to be admitted
- Students who have been dismissed or separated from a college or university, and who are not eligible to return, do not qualify for admission as a non-matriculated student
Admission Criteria - Graduate
Note: All Admissions material should be uploaded to our secure drop box.
- In addition to the application, students must submit official transcripts showing evidence of completion of their bachelor's degree.
- You must have a GPA equivalent to the requirements for admission into a graduate degree program. Exemptions may apply with additional documentation.
- If you are a lifelong learner, and do not intend to transfer coursework into an official master's degree, you may be eligible for an exemption to the six credit cap normally instituted on graduate coursework. To request this exemption, please download the Lifelong Learning Agreement form, and submit it to the Office of Graduate & Continuing Education. You will be notified at the time of your application for coursework.
Additional Information
- Undergraduate: Normally 30 credit hours taken at SUNY Potsdam as a non-matriculated undergraduate may be applied toward the requirements for a baccalaureate degree. Acceptance of more than 30 credit hours taken as a student in this status may be approved by the dean of the School in which the student is accepted for matriculation.
- Non-matriculated students who are registered for coursework may be bumped to a waiting list if a matriculated student seeks a seat in the same class and none are available.
- All students are required to provide proof of measles, mumps and rubella immunization. If measles, mumps and rubella immunization is not provided by the stated deadline, the student will be dis-enrolled. Questions should be directed to Student Health Services at (315) 267-2377.
- Continuance as a visiting student at SUNY Potsdam requires a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative grade point average in completed coursework.
Advising/Registration
Advising is available for non-matriculated students. If you would like advising assistance before determining which classes to take, please email the Academic Advising Office at advising @potsdam.edu. If there are no available seats in your preferred class/classes, the normal add/drop process will be your method of registration. The same applies if you will be registering after the start of a semester.
To register for classes during the add/drop period, email the instructor to ask their permission and then forward that email to the Registrar's Office at nonmatric@potsdam.edu. To drop a course during the add/drop period, or to withdraw from a course after the add/drop period, email nonmatric@potsdam.edu.
If you have questions about advising/registration, contact the Registrar's Office at nonmatric@potsdam.edu or (315) 267-2450.
Tuition and Fee
Tuition and fees for non-matriculated students are assessed per semester hour for each course up to a maximum cost for a full-time, in-state student. Tuition and billing information is available on the Student Accounts webpage. You can also call the Office of Student Accounts at (315) 267-2943.
For more information about Health Insurance options, contact Health Services at (315) 267-2377.