BUFFALO STATE UNIVERSITY
DIRECTORY OF POLICY STATEMENTS
Category: Academic Affairs
Policy No.: I:04:03
Date Established: (to be determined)
Responsible Office: Graduate School
Date Posted to Directory: (to be determined)
This policy defines the university‑wide minimum requirements for conferral of master’s degrees at Buffalo State University. Program‑specific requirements published in the Graduate Catalog may exceed these minima. Where a conflict exists between unit procedures and this policy, this policy governs.
At‑a‑Glance Minimums
Time to Degree: Complete all degree requirements within six years immediately preceding graduation (waiver required for exceptions).
Graduate‑Level Credits: Complete at least the program’s minimum graduate credits and no fewer than 15 credits at the 600/700 level.
Graduate GPA: Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in graduate coursework.
Course Status: Resolve all grades of I, IP, N, or X prior to conferral; complete any ancillary courses for which the student is registered.
Thesis (if required): Submit approved thesis to the institutional repository prior to diploma issuance.
To be awarded a master’s degree, students must satisfy the following university‑wide requirements in addition to all program, college, and accreditor requirements:
Application for Graduation – File the Graduate School application by the published deadline for the intended conferral term. Late application may delay conferral and/or Commencement listing.
Time Limit – Complete all degree requirements within six years immediately preceding the graduation date, unless an approved waiver is on file.
Completion of Coursework – Finish all required and registered coursework and resolve I, IP, N, or X grades prior to degree audit. Ancillary courses for which the student has registered must also be completed.
Minimum Graduate Credit & Level – Complete at least the minimum graduate credits required by the program and a minimum of 15 credits at the 600/700 level.
Graduate GPA – Earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA across all graduate coursework applied to the degree.
Thesis (where applicable) – Submit and obtain approval for the thesis in the institutional repository (e.g., Digital Commons) before the diploma can be issued; students should follow Graduate School submission guidance.
Transfer Credit Posting – Ensure the Graduate School receives official transcripts for any approved transfer credit listed in Degree Works; transfer credit must meet Graduate Catalog rules.
Double‑Counting Restriction – Coursework used to fulfill one master’s degree may not be applied to an equivalent master’s degree. In rare cases, limited double‑counting may be permitted across equivalent degrees in different professional areas with departmental approval consistent with NYSED guidance.
Re‑application – Students who do not complete requirements in the applied term must submit a new Application for Graduation for the term in which requirements will be finished.
Certificates Excluded
Graduate Certificates (GRCT) and Certificates of Advanced Study (CAS) are not governed by this policy; see the Graduate Catalog and Graduate School guidance for those awards.
Credit Sources & Limits (Reference)
Graduate limits on independent study and workshops/topics are managed under Policy E:04:01 – Alternative Credit & Transfer Evaluation and in the Graduate Catalog; departments may impose stricter caps.
The Dean of the Graduate School oversees this policy and its periodic review. The Graduate School and Registrar implement degree audit, enforce time‑to‑degree and level/GPA minima, and publish operational guidance.
A Graduate Policy Review Committee (Graduate School, Registrar, program directors, Faculty Senate designee) reviews this policy every five years or upon substantive changes to SUNY/NYSED requirements and recommends updates.
Graduate‑Level Credit: Coursework carrying graduate credit as defined in the Graduate Catalog; typically numbered 500–700, with 600/700 considered advanced graduate level.
Institutional Repository: The university’s official electronic archive for theses and dissertations (e.g., Digital Commons).
Ancillary Courses: Courses a student has registered for that are not required for the degree but must be completed or officially withdrawn before conferral.
Equivalent Master’s Degree: Degrees at the same level with substantially overlapping content as referenced by NYSED guidance on awarding credit across programs.
Apply for Graduation in the Graduate School portal by the posted deadline for the intended term.
Degree Audit – Programs verify completion of requirements; Graduate School and Registrar audit Degree Works for time‑limit, GPA, credit, and 600/700‑level minima; transfer credit is posted from official transcripts.
Thesis Submission (if applicable) – Submit the final thesis to the institutional repository and secure approvals before the conferral date.
Re‑Apply if Needed – If requirements are not met in the applied term, submit a new graduation application for a future term.
Students – Monitor progress, meet deadlines, and submit required materials (thesis, transcripts, forms).
Program Directors/Advisers – Verify program completion and ensure level requirements are met.
Graduate School – Manage graduation applications, enforce university minima, and oversee thesis submission standards.
Registrar – Post transfer credit and confer degrees upon completion.
Undergraduate Degree Requirements (Policy I:04:00)
Alternative Credit & Transfer Evaluation (Policy E:04:01)
Graduate Catalog – Program requirements and transfer‑credit rules
Graduation Application & Conferral (Process Page)
NYSED Guidance: Awarding Credit for Same Courses in Different Degree Programs
Graduate School
Buffalo State University
1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878‑5601
Email: gradschool@buffalostate.edu
Website: https://graduateschool.buffalostate.edu
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| August 2025 | Draft created; standardized institutional name to Buffalo State University and aligned with Graduate Catalog/NYSED guidance. |
To be completed upon Cabinet approval.
