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.

Proof of high school completion
Official transcripts
Any program-specific requirements

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

High Schools Outside the U.S.

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.

Homeschool and Other Private Schools

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)

Online and Correspondence Study

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.

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

There are additional requirements for the following programs.

B.S. Early Childhood Education

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)

Combined and Dual Bachelors/Master's Programs

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.

State law requires any student taking 6 credits or more of in person instruction to provide proof of immunizations. Find out more about how to fulfill this requirement once you’re accepted to SUNY Empire for your online undergraduate degree.