Application Process
Requirements for Application to a Degree Program
Binghamton University is strongly committed to affirmative action. We offer access to services and recruit students and employees without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or national origin.
Applicants to The Graduate School must have a bachelor's degree or the equivalent from a college or university of recognized standing. Specific details for all requirements are provided as a part of the application process. Application requirements include:
- A completed application form (available on-line)
- Official (attested) transcripts (mark sheets) for all previous college work (2 copies of each) -- not required for BU coursework (please do not submit BU official transcripts)
- At least two letters of recommendation from people with expertise to evaluate your ability to do graduate work.
- Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or, for the School of Management applicants, the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
- A personal statement indicating career goals, experience and skills acquired relative to career goals and why you are applying to BU.
- Scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
- Citizens of foreign countries, whether currently enrolled in a U.S. university or not, must certify that they will have sufficient funds for each year of study.
For INTERNATIONAL Applicants ONLY
Special requirements:
The School of Management and the Master of Public Administration program both request a resume in addition to all other supplemental materials. (Even if a program does not request a resume, we suggest that you submit one.) Applicants to several programs in the School of Education and the College of Community & Public Affairs (including programs in the Division of Education and the MSW program) should visit the school website for Information for Prospective Students.
Requirements for Continuing Education (Non-Degree) Admission
Continuing Education status is often used by students who want to determine if they are able to do graduate-level work or by students who are attempting to pick up the requisite background for a specific area of study before applying to a graduate program. Students who wish to take courses without being formally admitted to a degree program may take up to 12 credits (sometimes fewer, depending on the department or school) as a Continuing Education student. No degrees or graduate assistantships are granted to Continuing Education students. Should a Continuing Education student eventually enroll in a graduate program, courses taken as a Continuing Education student may be used to satisfy program requirements (if they are required by the program's curriculum).
Admission for Continuing Education status is an easy and quick procedure requiring the completion of a short on-line application form, proof of a bachelor's degree, and a $25 processing fee. Admission and enrollment can normally be obtained in a few days. Continuing Education students are welcome in all areas at Binghamton University; however, some fields have such high demand from matriculated students that Continuing Education students might find courses already filled. Prospective students interested in taking courses in Management should consult the School of Management first, since Continuing Education enrollments are limited. Likewise, for courses in the Division of Education.
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program. Applicants who are not seeking funding may apply anytime but all admissions are limited by size of the programs.
Applicants for the next fall semester who wish to obtain TA/GA/RA/fellowships positions should submit their application by late December.
Applicants for the next spring semester should submit their application by early October. Some programs do not offer admission for the spring; others have spring admission but without departmental funding.
Details on the deadline for your specific program will be provided to you during the on-line application process. To learn the policies governing admission and aid in your program, please read departmental materials carefully and, if you have questions, contact the program office.
Application Fee
The fee for submitting the electronic (on-line) application is $60. The fee for submitting a paper application is $75. An application fee must be paid by all applicants. As a public institution supported by the State of New York, we are required to charge an application fee for every applicant. Exceptions can be made for former McNair, EOP, HEOP, SEEK or Project 1000 students, who must obtain verification of this status from their undergraduate institution; in this case, it is imperative that the Application Fee Form be returned with the appropriate box (near the bottom of the form) checked.
We accept checks, payable to Binghamton University Graduate Admissions, or credit-card authorization for either VISA or MasterCard. Please do not send cash. If you are paying by credit card, send us the fee payment form or a letter, making sure to include:
- Type of credit card (VISA or MasterCard)
- Credit card number
- Expiration date