SUNY Potsdam Graduate Catalog

SUNY Potsdam Profile7SUNY Potsdam ProfileHistoryThe State University of New York at Potsdam is one of 64 unitsof The State University of New York and one of 13 SUNY artsand science colleges. Its origin was the St. Lawrence Academy,founded in 1816 by early settlers of the region. It continuedas Potsdam Normal School in 1867, as Potsdam State TeachersCollege in 1942, and became part of the largest university systemin the United States, The State University of New York, in 1948.Throughout its distinguished history, the institution has servedthe people of the North Country and of New York State.MissionThe State University of New York at Potsdam prepares studentsto act as engaged global citizens and to lead lives enrichedby critical thought, creativity, and discovery. As an inclusivescholarly community rooted in our historic role in providingexemplary teacher and music education and our leadership inthe fine and performing arts, we are committed to the liberalarts and sciences as an academic foundation for all students.With an abiding sense of responsibility to our region and to theworld beyond, SUNY Potsdam fosters an appreciation of andrespect for the variety of human experience.LocaleThe College is located in New York’s picturesque NorthCountry, an area imbued with scenic tranquility and repletewith cultural and recreational activities.The Adirondack Mountains to the southeast offer hiking,swimming, fishing or relaxing beside quiet streams and lakes.In winter, skiing the beautiful trails of Whiteface Mountainin Lake Placid (scene of the 1980 Winter Olympics) and TitusMountain in Malone, or cross-country skiing the numerousscenic trails, are popular pastimes.The world-renowned Thousand Islands region is also an hour’sdrive away. There, visitors can take a boat tour, fish, swim orvisit one of the many quaint little shops.For those who prefer the cultural atmosphere of large cities,Ottawa and Montréal are 70 and 80 miles away, respectively.While in Ottawa, students can visit the National Art Galleryor Museum of Natural History; attend a concert or theatricalproduction at the National Arts Center; tour the Houses ofParliament and witness the changing of the guard in thesummer. Montréal provides the opportunity to indulge in theEuropean experience.Of course, it is not necessary to travel. The Village of Potsdamhas much to offer. Local stores carry the latest in merchandise,and there are a variety of restaurants, as well as a movie theater.PeopleWhile location is a definite plus for SUNY Potsdam, the peoplewho make up the College community are its greatest asset. Thestudents, faculty, staff along with community neighbors makePotsdam a unique village.Our enrollment is approximately 4,350 – including about 4,000undergraduate and 350 graduate students.Our students are interesting and diverse. They come to us fromall over the United States with a small number from foreigncountries, including Canada, Korea and China. Students comefrom farms, small towns, the suburbs and large cities. Theyare traditional students (those who come to us straight fromundergraduate programs) and non-traditional students (thosewho enroll after raising a family, teaching for a few years, servingin the military or deciding to switch careers in mid-stream).Wherever they come from, whatever their ages or backgrounds,our students are a warm and friendly group.SUNY Potsdam also has a diverse faculty. They hold degreesfrom such prestigious universities as Harvard, Stanford andYale. They are published authors, well-known researchers,accomplished artists and musicians. Like their students, theyare a friendly, caring group – always ready to discuss a problemor assist with a project. Dedicated to teaching, they are not justactive in the classroom, but in many facets of their students’lives. Many of our students say they learn as much throughprofessional interaction with their professors as they do throughclassroom instruction.

8SUNY Potsdam ProfilePublic Service andOutreach ActivitiesFaculty, staff and students have always taken an active rolein public service activities through the different schools anddepartments. The College has long served as a major centerfor the arts in the North Country through its extensive musicprograms performed by the students and faculty of The CraneSchool of Music, the Roland Gibson Art Gallery and dance andtheater productions.Over the years, the College has increased, diversified and mademore accessible a variety of educational services to the NorthCountry. The North Country Migrant Education Programhoused in Van Housen Hall provides educational services tomigrant workers and their families. The Sheard Literacy Centerin Satterlee Hall offers literacy tutoring for area childrenand our Youth Theatre Touring Ensemble visit thousands ofstudents in area schools.Thomas E. O’Shaughnessy CenterThe Thomas E. O’Shaughnessy Center for Assistive Technologyis housed within the Sheard Literacy Center. Dr. O’Shaughnessywas dedicated to finding technological solutions that wouldhelp people, and particularly children with disabilities, becomeindependent learners. The purpose of the center is to allowopportunities for SUNY Potsdam students to gain hands-onexperience with technology for students with special needs,and to create a demonstration center in northern New Yorkfor parents and teachers seeking to enhance the literacy skillsof area children with physical and learning disabilities. TheCenter’s collection includes software and adaptive hardwarethat can be used to increase accessibility to computers for thosewith special needs.

Admissions and Enrollment Policies9Admissions and Enrollment PoliciesAdmissionsThe admissions process at SUNY Potsdam is highlyindividualized. Each application is thoroughly evaluated todiscover the wide variety of skills and talent sought in prospectivegraduate students. Applications are judged on objective criteria,such as grade point average, personal statement and letters ofrecommendation.Potsdam operates on a rolling admission policy wherebyapplications are reviewed as soon as all required credentials havebeen received. Students are then informed of acceptance uponcompletion of the application review.General Graduate Admission Requirements Evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from anaccredited college or university;Submission of the Graduate Application;Submission of a typed Letter of Intent written by theapplicant and expressing the applicant’s professional goalsas relevant to the program for which application is made;Submission of official transcripts from all colleges anduniversities attended, even if a degree was not earned.Official transcripts involve no student intervention andare forwarded directly from the Registrar’s Office of theinstitution to Graduate Admissions. Transcripts submittedin an admissions package will only be considered “official” ifthey are received in a sealed envelope bearing the signatureof the Registrar across the seal. Canadian students whohave attended high school in Ontario should also forwardan official high school transcript;Submission of a non-refundable 50 (U.S. funds) applicationprocessing fee;A minimum undergraduate grade point average asindicated within each specific program of study – refer tothe individual programs.Application Processing FeeThe application fee is a non-refundable processing fee requiredof all applicants with the exception of those who were in theEOP/HEOP/SEEK program as an undergraduate. The EOP/HEOP/SEEK applicant should request a fee waiver throughthe Director of Special Programs. Official verification ofenrollment in one of these programs is required if the applicant’sundergraduate college is other than SUNY Potsdam.Additional Admission Information Specific programs may require additional materials such asletters of recommendation, verification of proof of currentteaching certification consistent with that of the proposedgraduate study, and/or other requirements – refer to theAdditional Admission Requirements within the specificprogram of study at www.potsdam.edu/admissions/graduate; Canadian and other international students must provide:certification of finances, and for non-native Englishspeaking candidates a minimum TOEFL score of 550(paper-based), 213 (computer-based), 80 (internet-based)or a minimum IELTS score of 6.0.For additional information, contact Graduate Admissions at800-458-1142, ext. 1, 315-267-2165 or graduate@potsdam.edu.Admission Application Filing DeadlinesSchool of Arts and Sciences ApplicantsEnrollment entry is primarily in the fall term. Contact thedepartment chair for specifics.Crane School of Music ApplicantsEnrollment entry is primarily in the summer or fall terms. Theadmission application and graduate assistantship applicationsmust be submitted together by March 2 for students wishingto be considered for Graduate Assistantships or Scholarshipsin Music. For other students, application deadlines are:Fall – April 1Summer – May 1 Spring – September 15For more information go to www.potsdam.edu/crane andclick on Prospective Students (Graduate).School of Education and Professional Studies ApplicantsApplicants for the Master of Science in Education and Masterof Science for Teachers programs are strongly encouraged tosubmit all admission materials by the following recommendedapplication filing dates to ensure full consideration of theirapplication for the semester of desired entry:Summer – March 1Fall – April 1Spring – October 15

10 Admissions and Enrollment PoliciesAdmission Review ProcessThe overall admission process is structured as follows: oncea candidate has submitted all of the required applicationmaterials, Graduate Admissions will forward the materials to theappropriate School and academic department for an admissiondecision. The Graduate Admissions Committee of the selectedprogram of study reviews the candidate’s application andforwards a recommendation to the Dean of Graduate Studies.The Dean of Graduate Studies communicates to the prospectivegraduate candidate the rendered decision.Appeals of Graduate Admission DecisionsSchool of Arts and Sciences or School of Education andProfessional StudiesApplicants to programs in the School of Arts and Sciencesor School of Education and Professional Studies may requestreconsideration of an admission decision by submitting anappeal letter to the Chair of the Department, indicating thebasis on which the appeal is made (e.g., records of performance,supporting letters, papers, evidence, etc.). Requests must befiled within 30 calendar days of the date of the action beingappealed. Each appeal is considered strictly on its particularmerits. Exceptions will be allowed only for unusual orextenuating circumstances.The Crane School of MusicApplicants to The Crane School of Music may requestreconsideration of an admission decision by contacting theDirector of Graduate Music Studies in writing within 30 daysof the date of the admissions letter. Letters of appeal mustinclude specific information as to why the decision should bereviewed. Each appeal is considered strictly on its particularmerits and exceptions will be allowed only for unusual orextenuating circumstances.Graduate Admission ClassificationsMatriculated StudentsMatriculated students have completed the SUNY Potsdamapplication, paid an application fee, had credentials reviewedby Graduate Admissions and the appropriate academic area,been accepted as degree candidates in a particular curriculum,registered for classes and attended class at least one day.Candidates are considered matriculated until they graduate orare dismissed.Matriculated students will be granted one of two enrollmentstatuses:1. Provisional Admission – Granted to qualified applicantswho do not yet meet certain admission requirements; e.g.,undergraduate prerequisites.2. Full Admission – Granted to applicants who have satisfiedall admission requirements.Non-matriculated StudentsStudents who have an interest in graduate study but who havenot yet applied for admission into a master’s degree programmay under certain circumstances enroll as non-matriculatedat SUNY Potsdam. A maximum of six (6) semester hoursmay be taken under a non-matriculated graduate status withdepartmental approval. Courses taken on a non-matriculatedbasis will not apply to a graduate program unless approved bythe Dean of Graduate Studies.Non-matriculated admission requirements:1. Meet the minimum grade point average for admission tograduate study;2. Submit an official undergraduate transcript confirming theawarding of a bachelor’s degree;3. Submit the Non-Matriculated Graduate StudentApplication and Letter of Intent.Upon completion of the six (6) graduate credits, if not before,the student is required to apply for formal admission to a master’sdegree program. The candidate must be granted Provisionalor Full Admission before being allowed to register for furthercoursework. In some cases, a student may be approved foradditional coursework as a non-matriculated student, however,only six (6) credits may be transferred into a degree programupon approval.Deferred AdmissionStudents admitted to the College in a curriculum other thanmusic who elect not to enter in the semester for which theyare admitted may request that admission be deferred. Requestfor deferral may be granted for a maximum of one year –two consecutive academic semesters. Application files will beheld in inactive status during periods of deferral and will bereactivated without payment of additional application fees.After one year has passed, applicants may be required to submita new application.Enrollment PoliciesStudents who have been admitted for graduate study will wantto carefully review and consider the following enrollment policies.Academic Performance of Graduate StudentsGraduate students are personally responsible for familiarizingthemselves with the requirements of admission, registration,matriculation, and the application for their degree. They arealso expected to become familiar with academic regulationsregarding effective standards of communication, maintainacademic integrity in the submission of their work, and showevidence of the ability to use research tools. The maintenanceof competencies in these areas is requisite for satisfactorycompletion of any graduate course in any master’s degreeprogram. In addition, Master of Science for Teachers studentsare expected to read and agree to follow policies in the Guideto Student Teaching /resources.cfm.

Admissions and Enrollment Policies 11AdvisementHealth RequirementsAs part of the graduate experience at SUNY Potsdam, studentswill be assigned an academic program adviser. Graduate studentsare required to read, understand and retain all materials sent tothem during the admission and onboarding process. They arealso required to meet with their adviser upon acceptance intothe program in order to plan a timeframe for completion of theprogram and to complete the Approved Program of Studies form.These forms must be completed and submitted to GraduateStudies by the end of the first semester. The purpose of this isto help with planning and scheduling student coursework andeducational experiences so that students might best accomplishtheir professional goals. To make the most of the advisementprocess, it is strongly recommended that students contact theiradviser as soon as possible after assignments have been made.Due to limited availability of advisers during the summer, itis strongly recommended that students attempt to meet withadvisers during the academic year.Candidates will only be considered fully matriculated after theApproval Program of Studies form has been completed with thestudent’s adviser and filed with Graduate Studies.All SUNY Potsdam students taking one or more credit hours,including graduate students, are required to meet certain healthrequirements. Please see page 76 for detailed instructions onhow to complete them. If your questions are not answeredthere, contact Student Health Services at 315-267-2377.Every student is tracked very carefully to ensure that they meetcampus policies and NY State laws. The consequence of failingto meet them ranges from having a “hold” placed on yourstudent account (inability to register for classes or to get yourgrades) to being disenrolled as a student at SUNY Potsdam.Transfer CreditAll master’s degree students are required to complete aminimum of 24 credit hours of degree study through SUNYPotsdam. A total of no more than nine hours of transfer creditmay normally be used to meet Master of Science in Educationor Master of Science for Teachers degree requirements atSUNY Potsdam. No more than six hours of transfer credit maybe

Graduate Programs SUNY Potsdam offers courses and programs in the traditional liberal arts disciplines in the humanities, science, fine arts and performing arts. The College also focuses on the student's need for the best possible preparation for specific professional and vocational goals. SUNY Potsdam's graduate programs seek to encourage .