BUFFALO STATE UNIVERSITY
DIRECTORY OF POLICY STATEMENTS
Category: Enrollment Management
Date Established: (to be determined)
Responsible Office: Graduate School
Date Posted to Library: (to be determined)
This policy establishes the criteria, processes, and oversight responsibilities for admission to graduate study at Buffalo State University. It consolidates legacy graduate‑admission procedures into a single, authoritative reference for applicants, faculty review committees, and campus administrators.
Graduate admission decisions are based on evidence of academic readiness, program fit, and compliance with university and SUNY regulations. Final authority for admission rests jointly with the academic program and the Graduate School. All actions taken under this policy must align with the Admissions Overview (Policy A:01:00) and applicable nondiscrimination statutes.
Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution (or international equivalent).
Completed graduate application and non‑refundable fee.
Official transcripts from all post‑secondary institutions attended.
Personal statement detailing academic objectives and professional goals.
Additional program‑specific materials (e.g., writing samples, portfolios, prerequisite courses, standardized test scores) as specified in the Graduate Catalog.
Regular (Matriculated) Admission – Applicant meets all entrance requirements and is fully accepted into the degree or certificate program.
Conditional Admission – Applicant shows potential but lacks one or more prerequisites; must satisfy stated conditions (e.g., prerequisite coursework) within the timeframe set by the program.
Non‑Degree (Provisional) Admission – Applicant may enroll in graduate courses but is not admitted to a specific program; limited to 12 credit hours that may later apply toward a degree with program approval.
The Dean of the Graduate School oversees this policy, ensuring consistency across academic programs, annual assessment, and compliance with SUNY guidelines.
A standing Graduate Admissions Council—composed of Graduate School staff and elected faculty representatives—reviews aggregate admission metrics, recommends policy changes, and maintains alignment with accreditation standards.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Graduate Applicant | Individual seeking admission to a post‑baccalaureate degree or certificate program. |
| Matriculated Student | Applicant who has been formally admitted to a graduate program and is eligible to register for program coursework. |
| Conditional Admission | Status granted when an applicant must complete specific requirements before full matriculation. |
| Non‑Degree Student | Student permitted to take graduate courses without admission to a degree or certificate program. |
| Step | Applicant Action | University Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Submit online graduate application and pay application fee | Graduate School | Links and deadlines posted on Graduate School website |
| 2 | Upload personal statement and program‑specific documents | Same as above | Program may require supplemental application |
| 3 | Arrange for official transcripts and test scores (if required) to be sent | Same as above | International credentials require evaluation by approved agency |
| 4 | Program faculty review file and recommend admission classification | Program Admissions Committee | Recommendations forwarded to Graduate School |
| 5 | Graduate School issues official decision letter electronically | Graduate School | Appeal or reconsideration follows Policy D:01:00 |
| 6 | If admitted, applicant submits tuition deposit (if applicable) and completes onboarding steps | Graduate School & Student Accounts | Deadlines and deposit amounts listed in offer letter |
Graduate Program Directors: Evaluate applications, establish program‑specific criteria, and communicate annual updates to the Graduate School.
Graduate Admissions Officers: Coordinate application processing, applicant communication, and decision letters.
Registrar: Verify completion of admission conditions (if any) and maintain student records.
A. Admissions Overview (Policy A:01:00)
B. Undergraduate Admission (Policy B:01:00)
D. Admission Decisions – Reconsideration & Appeals (Policy D:01:00)
Graduate Catalog
SUNY Graduate Admissions Guidelines
Graduate School
Chase Hall 223
1300 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878‑5601
Email: gradschool@buffalostate.edu
Website: https://graduate.buffalostate.edu
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| July 2025 | Draft created, consolidating legacy Graduate Admission procedures into single policy following the Directory of Policy Statements template. |
To be completed upon Cabinet approval.
BUFFALO STATE UNIVERSITY
DIRECTORY OF POLICY STATEMENTS
Category: Enrollment Management
Date Established: (to be determined)
Responsible Office: Graduate School
Date Posted to Library: (to be determined)
This policy establishes the criteria, processes, and oversight responsibilities for admission to graduate study at Buffalo State University. It consolidates legacy graduate‑admission procedures into a single, authoritative reference for applicants, faculty review committees, and campus administrators.
Graduate admission decisions are based on evidence of academic readiness, program fit, and compliance with university and SUNY regulations. Final authority for admission rests jointly with the academic program and the Graduate School. All actions taken under this policy must align with the Admissions Overview (Policy A:01:00) and applicable nondiscrimination statutes.
Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution (or international equivalent).
Completed graduate application and non‑refundable fee.
Official transcripts from all post‑secondary institutions attended.
Personal statement detailing academic objectives and professional goals.
Additional program‑specific materials (e.g., writing samples, portfolios, prerequisite courses, standardized test scores) as specified in the Graduate Catalog.
Regular (Matriculated) Admission – Applicant meets all entrance requirements and is fully accepted into the degree or certificate program.
Conditional Admission – Applicant shows potential but lacks one or more prerequisites; must satisfy stated conditions (e.g., prerequisite coursework) within the timeframe set by the program.
Non‑Degree (Provisional) Admission – Applicant may enroll in graduate courses but is not admitted to a specific program; limited to 12 credit hours that may later apply toward a degree with program approval.
The Dean of the Graduate School oversees this policy, ensuring consistency across academic programs, annual assessment, and compliance with SUNY guidelines.
A standing Graduate Admissions Council—composed of Graduate School staff and elected faculty representatives—reviews aggregate admission metrics, recommends policy changes, and maintains alignment with accreditation standards.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Graduate Applicant | Individual seeking admission to a post‑baccalaureate degree or certificate program. |
| Matriculated Student | Applicant who has been formally admitted to a graduate program and is eligible to register for program coursework. |
| Conditional Admission | Status granted when an applicant must complete specific requirements before full matriculation. |
| Non‑Degree Student | Student permitted to take graduate courses without admission to a degree or certificate program. |
| Step | Applicant Action | University Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Submit online graduate application and pay application fee | Graduate School | Links and deadlines posted on Graduate School website |
| 2 | Upload personal statement and program‑specific documents | Same as above | Program may require supplemental application |
| 3 | Arrange for official transcripts and test scores (if required) to be sent | Same as above | International credentials require evaluation by approved agency |
| 4 | Program faculty review file and recommend admission classification | Program Admissions Committee | Recommendations forwarded to Graduate School |
| 5 | Graduate School issues official decision letter electronically | Graduate School | Appeal or reconsideration follows Policy D:01:00 |
| 6 | If admitted, applicant submits tuition deposit (if applicable) and completes onboarding steps | Graduate School & Student Accounts | Deadlines and deposit amounts listed in offer letter |
Graduate Program Directors: Evaluate applications, establish program‑specific criteria, and communicate annual updates to the Graduate School.
Graduate Admissions Officers: Coordinate application processing, applicant communication, and decision letters.
Registrar: Verify completion of admission conditions (if any) and maintain student records.
A. Admissions Overview (Policy A:01:00)
B. Undergraduate Admission (Policy B:01:00)
D. Admission Decisions – Reconsideration & Appeals (Policy D:01:00)
Graduate Catalog
SUNY Graduate Admissions Guidelines
Graduate School
Chase Hall 223
1300 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878‑5601
Email: gradschool@buffalostate.edu
Website: https://graduate.buffalostate.edu
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| July 2025 | Draft created, consolidating legacy Graduate Admission procedures into single policy following the Directory of Policy Statements template. |
To be completed upon Cabinet approval.
BUFFALO STATE UNIVERSITY
DIRECTORY OF POLICY STATEMENTS
Category: Enrollment Management
Date Established: (to be determined)
Responsible Office: Graduate School
Date Posted to Library: (to be determined)
This policy establishes the criteria, processes, and oversight responsibilities for admission to graduate study at Buffalo State University. It consolidates legacy graduate‑admission procedures into a single, authoritative reference for applicants, faculty review committees, and campus administrators.
Graduate admission decisions are based on evidence of academic readiness, program fit, and compliance with university and SUNY regulations. Final authority for admission rests jointly with the academic program and the Graduate School. All actions taken under this policy must align with the Admissions Overview (Policy A:01:00) and applicable nondiscrimination statutes.
Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution (or international equivalent).
Completed graduate application and non‑refundable fee.
Official transcripts from all post‑secondary institutions attended.
Personal statement detailing academic objectives and professional goals.
Additional program‑specific materials (e.g., writing samples, portfolios, prerequisite courses, standardized test scores) as specified in the Graduate Catalog.
Regular (Matriculated) Admission – Applicant meets all entrance requirements and is fully accepted into the degree or certificate program.
Conditional Admission – Applicant shows potential but lacks one or more prerequisites; must satisfy stated conditions (e.g., prerequisite coursework) within the timeframe set by the program.
Non‑Degree (Provisional) Admission – Applicant may enroll in graduate courses but is not admitted to a specific program; limited to 12 credit hours that may later apply toward a degree with program approval.
The Dean of the Graduate School oversees this policy, ensuring consistency across academic programs, annual assessment, and compliance with SUNY guidelines.
A standing Graduate Admissions Council—composed of Graduate School staff and elected faculty representatives—reviews aggregate admission metrics, recommends policy changes, and maintains alignment with accreditation standards.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Graduate Applicant | Individual seeking admission to a post‑baccalaureate degree or certificate program. |
| Matriculated Student | Applicant who has been formally admitted to a graduate program and is eligible to register for program coursework. |
| Conditional Admission | Status granted when an applicant must complete specific requirements before full matriculation. |
| Non‑Degree Student | Student permitted to take graduate courses without admission to a degree or certificate program. |
| Step | Applicant Action | University Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Submit online graduate application and pay application fee | Graduate School | Links and deadlines posted on Graduate School website |
| 2 | Upload personal statement and program‑specific documents | Same as above | Program may require supplemental application |
| 3 | Arrange for official transcripts and test scores (if required) to be sent | Same as above | International credentials require evaluation by approved agency |
| 4 | Program faculty review file and recommend admission classification | Program Admissions Committee | Recommendations forwarded to Graduate School |
| 5 | Graduate School issues official decision letter electronically | Graduate School | Appeal or reconsideration follows Policy D:01:00 |
| 6 | If admitted, applicant submits tuition deposit (if applicable) and completes onboarding steps | Graduate School & Student Accounts | Deadlines and deposit amounts listed in offer letter |
Graduate Program Directors: Evaluate applications, establish program‑specific criteria, and communicate annual updates to the Graduate School.
Graduate Admissions Officers: Coordinate application processing, applicant communication, and decision letters.
Registrar: Verify completion of admission conditions (if any) and maintain student records.
A. Admissions Overview (Policy A:01:00)
B. Undergraduate Admission (Policy B:01:00)
D. Admission Decisions – Reconsideration & Appeals (Policy D:01:00)
Graduate Catalog
SUNY Graduate Admissions Guidelines
Graduate School
Chase Hall 223
1300 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878‑5601
Email: gradschool@buffalostate.edu
Website: https://graduate.buffalostate.edu
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| July 2025 | Draft created, consolidating legacy Graduate Admission procedures into single policy following the Directory of Policy Statements template. |
To be completed upon Cabinet approval.
