Apply to a Non-degree Program

Non-degree Study at UAlbany 

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Non-degree study at the University at Albany can benefit individuals interested in exploring graduate study before applying to a program, working professionals interested in career enhancement, and those who are interested in developing a deeper understanding of a specific topic.  

The University’s non-degree programs allow you to take up to 12 credits without applying for admission to a degree-granting program. Many non-degree classes are offered online. 

The graduate credits you earn as a non-degree student may then be applied to a degree program, if you choose to continue your graduate education and are admitted into a degree program. 

 

Students speak to a faculty member on the Downtown Campus.


 

Graduate Non-degree Programs at UAlbany

Explore our non-degree programs and learn about the required application materials for each program.
 

College of Arts and Sciences

Africana Studies 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred
     

Anthropology 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred
     

Art Studio 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Portfolio
     

Atmospheric Science 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Statement of goals
     

Biology 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Statement of goals

  • Related program background
     

Chemistry 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Related program background
     

Communication 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred
     

Economics 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Related program background
     

English 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Statement of goals

  • Writing sample
     

Geography 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred
     

History 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Statement of goals
     

Latin American, Caribbean and U.S. Latino Studies

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred
     

Liberal Studies 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred
     

Mathematics 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred
     

Philosophy 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred
     

Physics 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Related program background
     

Psychology 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Statement of goals

  • Related program background
     

Social Studies 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred
     

Sociology 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Statement of goals

  • Related program background
     

Spanish 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Related program background 
     

Urban & Regional Planning 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred
     

Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Unofficial transcript showing your highest degree conferred

Massry School of Business

Business Administration 

  • Application and $20 application fee, with the following application deadlines:

    • Fall: August 1

    • Spring: December 1

    • Summer: May 1

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Resume
     

Digital Forensics and Cyber Security

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Statement of goals

  • Resume

  • Note: Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in computer security, information assurance, digital forensics, cyber security, computer science, information science, computer engineering, business, management information systems or information technology management.

School of Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Statement of goals

School of Education

Counseling Psychology  

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Statement of goals

  • Related program background
     

Curriculum/Teacher Education 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Statement of goals
     

Educational Policy and Leadership 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended is preferred

  • Resume
     

Educational Psychology 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred
     

Literacy (Reading) 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred
     

School Psychology 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Related program background
     

Special Education

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Statement of goals

College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity

Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • A statement of goals and resume are optional but not required.
     

Information Science

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering

Computer Science 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Related program background
     

Electrical and Computer Engineering

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Statement of goals

  • Related program background

  • Resume

  • Note: Applicants must have a B.S., B.Tech, B.E., M.S., M.Tech, or M.E. in electrical and computer engineering, electronics and communication engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science or related fields.

Environmental and Sustainable Engineering

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

Nanoscale Science & Engineering

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Statement of goals

Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy 

Political Science 

  • Application and $20 application fee, with the following application deadlines:

    • Fall: August 1

    • Spring: December 1

    • Summer: May 1

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Statement of goals

  • Resume
     

Public Administration

  • Application and $20 application fee, with the following application deadlines:

    • Fall: August 1

    • Spring: December 1

    • Summer: May 1

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Statement of goals

  • Resume
     

Criminal Justice

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

  • Statement of goals

School of Public Health

Biomedical Sciences 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcripts from all degrees conferred

  • Statement of goals

  • Related program background
     

Biostatistics 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcripts from all degrees conferred

  • Statement of goals

  • Related program background
     

Environmental Health Sciences

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcripts from all degrees conferred

  • Statement of goals

  • Related program background
     

Epidemiology 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcripts from all degrees conferred

  • Statement of goals

  • Related program background
     

Health Policy & Management 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcripts from all degrees conferred

  • Statement of goals
     

Public Health 

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcripts from all degrees conferred

  • Statement of goals (please include a desired list of courses)

  • Related program background

School of Social Welfare

Social Welfare

  • Application and $20 application fee

  • Transcript showing your highest degree conferred

 

How to Apply to a Non-degree Program

Graduate admissions for the University at Albany are handled entirely online, using our application portal.

If you have questions about the general admissions process, please email [email protected], call 518-442-3980 during business hours or drop into our virtual office hours. If you have specific questions on program admissions requirements, please contact the academic department. 

We suggest you have all required elements for your application in place before you apply. Letters of recommendation are not required. 
 

Using the Application Portal

Once you begin the application process, your first step you will be to set your PIN and password in the application portal. This will allow you to return to work on your application over the course of several sessions.  

Your information will be transmitted through a secure server and kept confidential until you complete and submit your application.  

You must enable pop-ups in your application account to ensure it functions properly. 

Submitting Transcripts

Your application must include an uploaded transcript from the institution where you earned your highest degree. 

Upon admission, you’ll be required to submit an official transcript from the same institution. Please have that institution send your official transcript to: 

The Graduate School 
Management Services Center 209 (MSC 209)
University at Albany 
1400 Washington Avenue 
Albany, New York 12222 

If the institution provides electronic delivery of official transcripts, please have them sent to [email protected]

If the institution's Registrar’s Office mails the transcripts directly to you, do not open envelopes containing transcripts as they will become unofficial and will not be accepted.

Writing a Statement of Goals

Some non-degree programs require applicants to submit a Statement of Goals with their applications. 

The statement is generally one to two pages discussing what you have to offer the program and what you wish to get out of the program. It should include a brief description of your field of interest, related background, desired area of study and research emphasis/career goals, as well as what classes you intend to take.

If you feel that any aspect of your past that is included in your application could be detrimental to your admission (for example, a poor undergraduate GPA), you should also discuss this problem area and how you have addressed it. 

Demonstrating Related Program Background

Some non-degree programs require applicants to demonstrate they have a background related to their program of interest.

If your program requires this, please submit a write-up describing your past experiences in the academic area. 

Paying the Application Fee

The non-refundable application fee is $20 for non-degree programs. 

You can pay the application fee using a credit card (Visa, Master Card, Discover or American Express) using our application portal

Please note that, once you pay the application fee, you cannot go back and edit your application or upload new materials. 

The University cannot process an application until the required fee has been paid. This means waivers are not available.

Checking Your Application Status

Please use our application portal to check the status of your application.

The Graduate School cannot release application status information, including decisions, over the phone or via email. 

The application portal reflects the most current information from the Graduate School. 

Once all materials are received, please allow at least two weeks for your application to be processed. Some applications require additional time. 

Please note that, pursuant to federal and state law, students pursing non-degree studies are not eligible for federal or state financial aid.  

Additionally, academic success as a non-degree student does not guarantee admission as a degree student. Some courses at the University are open to degree-seeking students only.