


Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

Applying to Empire State University for an affordable online undergraduate degree is simple, but there are a few key steps to complete first. Find out exactly what’s needed and how to submit your materials. Applying for your master's? Visit Graduate Admissions for more details.

For Online Undergraduate Admissions, You Will Need:
- Proof of high school completion
- Official transcripts
- Any program-specific requirements
- Proof of immunizations once you’re accepted

Proof of High School Completion
Requirements
For admission, proof can be in the form of one of the following:
- Official high school transcript from a state-approved high school
- Copy of a United States High School Diploma from a state-approved high school
- High School Equivalency Transcript (GED/TASC Test Scores)
- Official transcript from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university showing conferral of an associate degree
- A copy of a high school diploma may be submitted; however, not all submissions will meet the requirement and additional proof may be requested
Submitting Your Documents
Official high school transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution by:
- Mail: Admissions, Empire State University, 111 West Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- Fax: 518-587-9759
- Email: admissions@sunyempire.edu
Nontraditional High School Transcripts
If you completed high school outside the U.S., your credential must be evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)-approved service:
We recommend a general or grade evaluation for high school equivalency.
How to Submit Your Report
- Plan Ahead – Check pricing, required documents, and processing times. Each service is different, so start early.
- Submit Directly – Your evaluation must be sent from the approved service to SUNY Empire. Student-submitted copies won’t be accepted.
Canadian Students
- High school documents must be approved by the Ministry of Education.
- Transcripts must be in English.
If you graduated from a home-school or private school that:
- Is not registered, recognized, or approved by the state where it operates
- Is located outside the state where you reside
You must submit one of the following:
- A High School Equivalency Transcript (GED/TASC test scores)
- A letter from your school district superintendent confirming your program met state high school standards (per section 100.10 of NYS education regulations)
New York State does not recognize online or correspondence high school diplomas if you were a New York resident when you earned them.
What This Means:
- If you lived in New York while completing an online high school program, your diploma is not valid for admission.
- Online diplomas are only accepted if:
- The state that issued the diploma recognizes the school, and
- You were a resident of that state when you earned the diploma.
What to Do If Your Diploma Isn’t Accepted:
You will need to submit a High School Equivalency Transcript (GED/TASC scores) to meet admission requirements.

Undergraduate Transcripts
Official transcripts are required for associate and bachelor’s degree admissions and must be sent directly from your previous college or university.
How to Submit Your Transcripts:
- Electronically – Through a secure transcript service
- By Email – Sent from your school to our admissions office
- By Mail – In a sealed envelope from your institution
Requirements differ for transcripts from outside the U.S. Find out more about all transcript requirements and submission options.
More About Transcripts
Program-Specific Requirements
- Associate degree or 60 completed credits
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 (recalculation of up to the last 60 credits earned)
- Essay: In about 500 words, please explain why you chose to apply to the early childhood education program at SUNY Empire and describe what you see as your professional responsibility to young children.
- Letter of Recommendation (optional, but strongly recommended)
To qualify, you need a minimum 3.2 GPA (based on up to your last 60 credits). You must also meet one of the following:
- Be transferring no more than 92 credits at the time of application.
- If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you may apply for the Dual Degree BS Accounting/MBA Business Management or MAT pathways.