Department of Education and Human Development

Frequently Asked Questions for Graduate Programs

Application Questions

How do I request an application? Applications for admission to departmental programs can be requested from the Graduate Admission Office.

My GPA is below a 3.0. Can I still apply? The Education and Human Development Department has a firm GPA minimum of 3.0 from the most recent degree granting institution. If you choose to apply to our programs with a GPA below a 3.0, your application will not be competitive with the other applicants. If your GPA is below 3.0, you should examine other options toward obtaining certification such as a second baccalaureate degree or a graduate program at another college or university.

My initial certification is pending. May I apply to a 33- or 36-credit program prior to having my certificate from the State Education Department? You may apply; however, if accepted into the program your acceptance will be on the condition that you provide proof of certification prior to the start of your matriculated status. You must show proof of having applied for certification prior to the first day of classes or you will be withdrawn from the program.

Do you have a graduate program leading to initial certification (the first certification level) in Childhood Education? Not at this time. The only way to complete the requirements for Childhood certification at SUNY College at Brockport is through our undergraduate certification program.

My certification has lapsed, but I would like to start a graduate program for my permanent/professional certification. Do I need to apply to an alternate program to become re-certified? Not necessarily. You should first contact the Regional Certification Center that provides services to your county. The Regional Certification Officer at this Center can advise you about the process to become re-certified. You may not need further classes for your re-certification.

How do I get a transcript review from the New York State Education Department? Contact the Regional Certification Center that provides services to your county. The Regional Certification Officer will need all of your undergraduate and graduate transcripts for the review. The review will reveal how many credits, in which areas, you need for certification. For applicants to the alternate adolescence programs, this evaluation is required for those who do not have a major in an area relevant to the program to which they are seeking admission.

When will I receive a decision regarding my application? Application decisions are usually made approximately 45 days after the application deadline. You will be informed in writing regarding the decision of the Department.

Transfer Credit or Non-Matriculated Status

May I have a transcript evaluation to determine what credits will transfer if I'm accepted into your program? Transfer credit cannot be evaluated unless you are accepted into one of our programs. Once accepted, your advisor will review your transcripts and determine which credits will transfer to your Plan of Study for your program.

May I transfer courses from my undergraduate program (or from a community college) toward completion of your program requirements? No. Undergraduate courses may not be transferred toward completion of a graduate degree. If you have taken coursework that is equivalent to the graduate courses required in the Alternate programs, then you may not be required to take the graduate course on your Plan of Study. You will, however, be required to substitute another graduate course in its place.

How many credits can I take as a non-matriculated student prior to acceptance into a program? You may transfer a total of 12 credits toward your Plan of Study at SUNY Brockport. No more than 9 of those 12 credits may be taken as a non-matriculated student at SUNY Brockport.

May I transfer more than 12 credits into your program? No. The maximum number of transfer credits is 12. There are no exceptions made to this policy.

What classes should I take as a non-matriculated student? Please review the Information for Non-Matriculated Students.

May I take classes toward my state certification without being a matriculated student? You may take courses as a non-matriculated student. However, non-matriculated students are not eligible to take certain courses that are open only to matriculated students, which generally includes all courses used for initial certification. Most graduate level EDI courses numbered 500-576 are closed to non-matriculated students (with the exception of EDI 513, 514, 519, and 527). All EDI undergraduate courses are closed to non-matriculated students.

May I complete my student teaching through SUNY College at Brockport without being a matriculated student? No. Only matriculated students may receive student teaching placements through SUNY College at Brockport.

Questions Related to Appropriate Undergraduate Degrees for
Admission to Graduate Programs

For those who are seeking a first (initial) certificate:

I have a degree in business, marketing, economics, finance, etc. Do you have a program for me? SUNY Brockport does not offer a certification program in business education. In most cases, in order to become certified through a Brockport program, you would need to apply to the College for a second degree and complete the undergraduate certification program. However, if you have 30 credits in mathematics, English, history, biology, chemistry, physics, or earth science, you may be eligible to apply to one of our Alternate programs for Adolescence Education.

I do not have a degree in history, English, biology, earth science, physics, chemistry, or mathematics. How do I become certified? Without a degree, or 30 credit hours, in one of these areas, you would need to apply to the College for a second degree in an academic content area and complete the undergraduate certification program.

I have a BA in a foreign language. How can I become certified? At this time, SUNY Brockport does not have a graduate program leading to certification in foreign language.

I have an engineering or technical degree, what can I do to become certified? First, contact the Regional Certification Center that provides services to your county. The Regional Certification Officer will need all of your undergraduate and graduate transcripts for a transcript review. The review will reveal how many credits you have toward fulfilling the content core requirement for math or science certification. For applicants to the alternate adolescence programs, this evaluation is required for those who do not have a major in an area relevant to the program to which they are seeking admission. If the transcript evaluation reveals that you have 30 credits in the content core, then you may be eligible to apply to an Alternate program for Adolescence Education.

For those who have the first (provisional or initial) certification:

I have certification in music, art, business, technology, speech, etc. Am I eligible for admission to one of your programs? Within the Department of Education and Human Development, SUNY College at Brockport has programs leading to permanent or professional certification for those possessing certification in Early Childhood, Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary or Adolescence subjects in grades 7-12. We do not have programs leading to permanent or professional certification in Special Education certificate or for those with K-12 certification such as art, music, business, speech, or technology. Those holding a valid Health or Physical Education certificate should contact those departments at SUNY Brockport for information on their master's degrees leading to permanent or professional certification.

I have the Bilingual extension. Am I eligible to apply to the graduate Bilingual program? Unfortunately, you are not eligible for our Bilingual program. The graduate Bilingual program is designed for those who are seeking the Bilingual extension to another certification title area for which they currently hold certification (such as Childhood Education).

Miscellaneous

Are courses offered at night? Most graduate level courses offered through the Department of Education and Human Development are offered at night. However, occasionally, courses offered in the alternate programs may be offered during the day.

What is the job market like for teachers? The Office of Career Services may be of assistance in answering this question. In general, individuals with dual certification will find themselves more marketable when seeking a teaching position. Applicants with certification in mathematics or the sciences are most in demand.