Graduate Bulletin

Graduate Studies


The Vice President for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies, the Offices of Graduate Studies and Graduate Admissions, and the Graduate Academic Council exercise general responsibility for graduate study, admissions and for university-wide policies, procedures, requirements, and standards of graduate study.

However, within this framework, the development, promotion, and operation of individual programs and the advisement and interests of students in them are a primary responsibility of the individual schools and departments which provide the graduate instruction.

General inquiries regarding graduate study and inquiries from international students should be addressed to the Office of Graduate Admissions, 518-442-3980. The offices are in the Administration Building and are open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

PROGRAMS OF GRADUATE STUDY

Note: Enrollment in other than New York State Education Department registered or approved programs may jeopardize eligibility for certain student aid awards. Program titles are followed by HEGIS code numbers in parentheses.

Master of Arts
African and Afro-American Studies (2211)
Anthropology (2202)
Art (Studio) (1002)
Classics (1504)
Communication (0601)
Criminal Justice (2209)
Economics (2204)
English (1501)
English Education (Secondary) (1501)
French (1102)
French Education (Secondary) (1102)
Geography (2206)
History (2205)
Industrial Psychology (2008)
Latin American and Caribbean Studies (0308)
Latin Education (Secondary) (1109)
Liberal Studies (4901)
Mathematics (1701)
Mathematics (Secondary) (1701)
Philosophy (1509)
Political Science (2207)
Psychology (2001)
Public Affairs and Policy (2102)
Russian (1106)
Russian Education (Secondary) (1106)
Social Studies (2201)
Social Studies Education (Secondary) (2201)
Sociology (2208)
Spanish (1105)
Spanish Education (Secondary) (1105)
Theatre (1007)
Women’s Studies (4903)

Master of Business Administration
Business Administration (0506)

Master of Fine Arts
Studio Art (1002)

Master of Science
Accounting (0502)
Accounting Information Systems (0502)
Applied Chemistry (1999)
Atmospheric Science (1913)
Biodiversity, Conservation & Policy (0420)
Biology (0401)
Biology Education (Secondary) (0401)
Biomedical Science (0499)
Biometry and Statistics (1702)
Chemistry (1905)
Chemistry Education (Secondary) (1905)
Computer Science (0701)
Counseling (2104)
Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology (0829)
Earth Science Education (Secondary) (1917)
Education, Adolescent: Biology (0401)
Education, Adolescent: Chemistry (1905)
Education, Adolescent: Earth Science (1917)
Education, Adolescent: English (1501)
Education, Adolescent: French (1102)
Education, Adolescent: Mathematics (1701)
Education, Adolescent: Physics (1902)
Education, Adolescent: Social Studies (2201)
Education, Adolescent: Spanish (1105)
Educational Administration (0827)
Educational Psychology and Methodology (0822)
Environmental Health and Toxicology (0426)
Epidemiology (1299)
Forensic Biology (0499)
General Educational Studies (0801)
Geology (1914)
Health Policy and Management (1214)
Information Science (0702)
Literacy (0830)
(Literacy), Early Childhood/Childhood Ed (0830)
Mental Health Counseling (2104)
Nanosciences and Nanoengineering (0915)
Physics (1902)
Physics Education (Secondary) (1902)
Professional Accountancy (0502)
Reading (0830)
Rehabilitation Counseling (2104)
Special Education (0808)
Special Education (Inclusion) (0808)
Special Education (Inclusion & Special Ed) (0808)
Special Education and Literacy (0808)
Special Education and Literacy (0830)
Taxation (0502.1)
Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (1508)

Master of Library Science
Library Science (1601)

Master of Public Administration
Public Administration and Policy: (2102)

Master of Public Health
Public Health (1214)

Master of Regional Planning
Urban and Regional Planning (0206)

Master of Social Work
Social Welfare (2104)

Advanced Graduate Certificates
School Building Leadership (0828)
School District Leadership (0827)
School District Business Leadership (0827)

Graduate Certificates
Advanced Public Management (2102)
Autism (2099)
Demography (2215)
Economic Forecasting (2204)
English as a Foreign Language (1508)
Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis (2206)
Latin American and Caribbean Studies (0308)
Non-Profit Management and Leadership (2102)
Public Health Fundamentals and Principles (1214)
Public Health Surveillance and Preparedness (1214)
Public Sector Management (2102)
Regulatory Economics (2204)
Urban Education (0899)
Urban Policy (2214)
Women and Public Policy (2299)

Certificate of Advanced Study
Counseling and Personnel Services (0826)
Court Systems Management (2102)
Curriculum and Instruction (0829)
Educational Administration (0827)
Educational Communications (0895)
Educational Research (0824)
Library and Information Science (1601)
Planning and Policy Analysis (2102)
Public History (2205)
Reading (0830)
Russian Translation (1106)
School Psychology (0822)

Doctor of Arts
Humanistic Studies (4903)

Doctor of Education

Doctor of Philosophy
Anthropology (2202)
Atmospheric Science (1913)
Biology (0401)
Biomedical Sciences (0499)
Biometry & Statistics (0419, 1702)
Biopsychology (2010)
Chemistry (1905)
Clinical Psychology (2003)
Cognitive Psychology (2002)
Computer Science (0701)
Counseling Psychology (2004)
Criminal Justice (2209)
Curriculum and Instruction (0829)
Economics (2204)
Educational Administration (0827)
Educational Psychology (0822)
English (1501)
Environmental Health and Toxicology (0426)
Epidemiology (1299)
French Studies (1102)
Geology (1914)
History (2205)
Industrial/Organizational Psychology (2008)
Information Science (0702)
Mathematics (1701)
Nanosciences and Nanoengineering (0915)
Organizational Studies (0599)
Philosophy (1509)
Physics (1902)
Political Science (2207)
Public Administration and Policy (2102)
Reading (0830)
Social/Personality Psychology (2005)
Social Welfare (2104)
Sociology (2208)
Spanish (1105)

Doctor of Public Health
Public Health (1214)

Doctor of Psychology
School Psychology (0822)

SUMMER SESSIONS

The University offers a multiple session summer program with a variety of course options of varying lengths available for both graduate and undergraduate students. A special six-week session for educators is incorporated into the summer program to assure in-service opportunities for teaching professionals desiring graduate coursework during the summer.

Persons interested in summer session study may secure information about admission, fees, courses offered, dates of the session, registration procedure, and residence halls by writing to the Director of Summer Sessions, University at Albany, Albany, New York 12222 or by calling 1- 800-SUNYSUM.

INTER-INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAMS

Capital Area Institutions

The University joins with other universities in the capital area in providing advanced study, particularly at the doctoral level. Through a Council of Presidents and a Committee on Doctoral Programs, the University at Albany, the Albany Law School of Union University, the Albany Medical College of Union University, Union College, Russell Sage College, the College of St. Rose, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed cooperative arrangements to facilitate advanced study and research. The sharing of professors and facilities, including research collections in the libraries, and the cross- registration of graduate students has been effected, and the joint offering of specialized doctoral programs is being developed. Through these arrangements graduate students in any one of the cooperating institutions may avail themselves of courses and facilities in the others. Arrangements are made through the respective graduate schools or offices of the cooperating institutions.

State University of New York Foreign Study Program

To enable graduate students to participate in appropriate foreign study programs of other units of the State University of New York, the Dean of Graduate Studies is authorized to approve applying from 18 to 24 credits of study in a State University of New York foreign study program to a graduate degree program at Albany with an associated requirement that the remaining credits be earned in resident graduate study at Albany and that all other academic requirements for a degree (major field examination, foreign language or other tool requirement, etc.) be met at Albany.

State University of New York Graduate Centers

Formally admitted doctoral students in any State University of New York graduate center are authorized to study at Albany without submitting academic credentials and going through the usual admission application procedures provided that (1) the sending institution certifies to a student's good standing, (2) the student has the necessary prerequisites, if any, and (3) the receiving institution has available a place in the class.

The following kinds of courses are excluded unless approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies in exceptional cases: graduate research, seminars, advanced research courses, independent study or reading courses, clinical courses, field courses, practicums, supervised student teaching, and internships. Also excluded are sponsored programs and institutes which involve special conditions or qualifications for admissions.

RESEARCH SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE

It is the responsibility of the University to ensure that all research conducted under its auspices is carried out in such a manner that the rights and welfare of subjects, society, the environment, and researchers are protected and that research activities are in compliance with applicable State and Federal regulations. The policies and procedures adopted by the University to ensure research safety and compliance are in the best interests of all those involved in research at this University. They are not meant to hinder or create barriers for conducting research or instruction through the medium of research.

Research Compliance Officer

In order to ensure that all research activities on campus are in compliance with all relevant State and Federal regulations as well as University safety policies, the University at Albany has established the position of Research Compliance Officer. This person is responsible for maintaining familiarity with all regulations and policies which apply to research activities. In this way, he/she can act as a resource person on research compliance for the University community and coordinate all of the compliance activities on campus. Investigators are encouraged to consult the Research Compliance Officer at the planning stages of research to determine if any regulations or safety policies apply to their research and what steps must be taken to comply with them. Aspects of a project which might present problems can be discussed and alternative procedures suggested. The Research Compliance Officer, Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, is located in the Office for Research (AD-216) and can be reached at 442-3510.

Research Requiring Compliance Law

Regulation and safety policies apply to many different categories of research. Listed below are some of these categories, the relevant regulations and policies, and a brief description of the procedures involved in compliance review. Since regulations and standards change frequently, it is recommended that researchers check with the Research Compliance Officer before initiating a research project.

Animal Subjects

Under University policy, no live animal may be used in any scientific or educational activity under the auspices of the University without appropriate review and approval. The campus' Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee is authorized to review and approve the use of live animals in all scientific and educational activities conducted under the auspices of the University, regardless of the source of funding. This includes the use of animals by students or faculty in laboratories or classes. Certain categories of activities involving animals do not have to be reviewed by the full committee, but may be approved under "expedited review." At timely intervals, the Committee will review the projects approved under expedited review and, if it overrules the decision, may terminate the activity. The Committee is made up of researchers, a veterinarian, and a non-institutional member.

Individuals planning to use live animals as subjects in research or educational activities (e.g., classroom demonstrations, laboratory exercises, or student projects) must fill out a Review Form and submit it to their department chairperson. The chairperson will review the form, sign it, and forward it to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee for review. Approval may be obtained for an entire project, consisting of a set of procedures to be used over an extended period of time, but re-approval must be obtained annually. The necessary forms are available from the Office for Research (AD 216). Questions should be addressed to Dr. Jeffrey Cohen in the Office for Research (AD 216, 442- 3510).

Hazardous Materials

The category of hazardous materials includes three major areas of concern: toxic chemicals, chemical carcinogens, and infectious agents. Various state and federal regulations are involved with each, and each requires different responses and compliances. Any investigator considering the utilization of such materials is advised to contact the Research Compliance Officer before beginning any research.

Human Subjects

Under University policy and state and federal law, all human subjects research conducted under University auspices must receive appropriate review and approval. "Human subjects research" is defined as a systematic investigation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge, which involves the collection of data from or about living human beings. In addition, all student research involving subjects outside the classroom would be considered in this category.

The University has authorized the Institutional Review Board (IRB) to review and approve human subjects research. The IRB is a campus-wide committee made up of researchers, administrators, students, and non- institutional members. Certain categories of research may be eligible for "expedited review."

Human subjects research projects are submitted through a Human Subjects Review form. The necessary forms are available from the Office for Research (AD 216). In addition to the forms, the Office for Research has copies available of the handbook "Polices and Procedures for Research Involving Human Subjects." Questions should be addressed to Dr. Jeffrey Cohen at 442-3510.

Potential Health Hazards

The following policy is in effect for all those involved in research at the University at Albany:

  1. It is the responsibility of the Project Director/Instructor to inform all individuals using or exposed to toxic substances, animals which are a biohazard, or hazards associated with experiments involving sensory stress, of the possible consequences of their use or exposure to them. The publications of NIOSH, EPA, or similar agencies will serve as sources for identifying toxic chemicals and reagents. It is the obligation of the individual(s) doing the research to report all instances of toxic contamination, or suspicion of contamination or injury of any sort, to the Project Director/Instructor, who will inform the Director of the University Health Service, the University Safety Officer, and the Vice President for Research.
  2. Any individual who becomes ill and believes it is related to a research effort should inform the Project Director/Instructor and consult the University Health Service or his/her own physician. If the individual's own physician is consulted, the University Health Service must be notified of the visit if it is suspected that the condition may have resulted from research activity.
  3. The Director of the University Health Service should notify the Project Director/Instructor, Vice President for Research, and University Safety Officer of all cases of suspected research-related illness. Whenever appropriate, the Director of the University Health Service, upon consultation with the Vice President for Research, will notify the appropriate health agencies of the condition.