Admission to the various graduate programs at the Maxwell School is offered to people with diverse racial, ethnic, social, academic, and professional backgrounds and career goals. Applications are submitted to The Graduate School—the college of record for all graduate students at Syracuse University.  Each department at the Maxwell School reviews applications individually then conveys its admission recommendations to The Graduate School.

Standardized Tests: Most graduate programs require applicants to submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The "Graduate Program Application Information" section of the application outlines admission requirements for each program.  All international students whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  Read the section in the application instructions describing special admission tests for further information about the TOEFL and the GRE.

Full-Time Status: Students must register for 12 credits or more to qualify for full-time status at Syracuse University. Some academic programs may define full-time status differently, but the Graduate School cannot certify a student as full time if he or she is taking fewer than 12 credits. The only exceptions are University Fellows; graduate assistants; graduate associates; students working on a thesis or dissertation (and registered for zero dissertation credits or for degree in progress); students studying for preliminary, qualifying, or comprehensive examinations; and students studying for language or tool requirements. In every exception listed, the student’s academic unit and the Graduate School must approve full-time status.

International Credentials: Applicants from the United States must earn at least a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university before beginning graduate study at Syracuse University. Applicants who did not attend a U.S. college or university must have a degree or diploma that is at least equivalent to an American bachelor’s degree. International credentials are judged in terms of the educational system and standards of the country, the type of institution attended, and the level of study completed before the date of enrollment at Syracuse University. Students who do not have an appropriate academic background will not be considered for graduate admission regardless of the name of any degree that they hold. Generally, applicants must have reached a level of study that qualifies them for acceptance to university graduate programs in the countries where they earned their undergraduate degrees.

The following are some specific guidelines for equivalents to a U.S. bachelor’s degree:

The following are some specific guidelines for equivalents to a U.S. bachelor’s degree:
Canada—A three-year bachelor’s degree from Quebec or a four year bachelor’s degree from the other provinces.
Latin America—A university degree requiring four years of study.
United Kingdom and countries following the British pattern—A bachelor’s degree with honors.
France and countries following the French pattern—A degree or diploma requiring four years of study after the baccalaureate, usually the Maitrise.
Germany—Completion of the diploma.
Other European countries—A university degree requiring a minimum of four years of study.
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal—A bachelor’s degree in engineering or a master’s degree in any other field.
Other Asian countries—A university degree requiring four years of study.

Only students with outstanding records can be considered for admission to doctoral programs. International applicants must be graduates of a college or university that is recognized by the national educational authorities of their home country.

Transfer Credits: Upon the recommendation of a student’s academic department, a maximum of 30 percent of the credits counted toward a master’s degree at Syracuse may be transferred from another institution. At least 50 percent of the coursework counted toward a doctoral degree (excluding dissertation credits) must be completed through Syracuse University as residence credit.

Health Requirements and Insurance: The Health Services staff is here to help you stay well while you pursue your graduate study. The Office of Health Services provides primary health care to all students registered for 12 or more credits during the semester and to graduate assistants registered for 9 credits during the semester. The Health Services fee for the 2004-05 academic year is $212 per semester. (If you are a graduate student with a University Graduate Fellowship, a full-time graduate assistantship, or a graduate associateship, this fee is included as part of your award package.) Payment of the fee entitles students to unlimited office visits at the Health Center, Syracuse University Ambulance and medical transportation services, health education services, nutrition services, and services provided by the Counseling Center and by the R.A.P.E. Center. Laboratory, X-ray, and pharmacy services are charged separately. Part-time students and spouses are eligible to use the Health Center on a fee-for-service basis.

New York State law requires that all students born on or after January 1, 1957, must submit proof of the following immunizations given after they were 12 months of age:

• two doses of measles vaccine;
• one dose of mumps vaccine; and
• one dose of rubella vaccine.

Information about these requirements is available from Health Services, 111 Waverly Avenue, Syracuse University, Syracuse NY 13244-2320, USA; 315-443-2666; fax 315-443-9010; or from the Graduate School web site.

Health insurance is strongly recommended for students to cover expenses not covered by the Health Services fee and medical expenses incurred outside of SU Health Services. A student health insurance plan designed specifically for SU and ESF students is available through Health Services. International students are required to show proof they have health insurance for themselves and their families throughout their stay in the United States. University Graduate Fellows, graduate assistants, and graduate associates are eligible to participate in the University’s Group Health Care Plan. Coverage details and premium rates may be obtained from the Office of Human Resources, Employee Benefits, Skytop Office Building, Syracuse University, Syracuse NY 13244-5300, USA; 315-443-4042; fax 315-443-1063.

• two doses of measles vaccine;
• one dose of mumps vaccine; and
• one dose of rubella vaccine.

They must also provide other medical records. Students who do not provide this information by the middle of their first month on campus face suspension from the University. Further information is available from Health Services, 111 Waverly Avenue, Syracuse University, Syracuse NY 13244–2320, USA; telephone 315–443–2666; fax 315–443–9010.

The health fee entitles students to health services provided by the Syracuse University Health Center clinics and up to 10 days of overnight care per year. The cost of services such as X-rays, selected procedures, medications, and hospital supplies are extra, although often they cost less than in the city of Syracuse. Part-time students can pay the health fee and receive the same coverage, or pay for each visit to Health Services. Spouses must pay for every visit. The University does not provide any services to children of graduate students.

While the health fee covers most services provided by Health Services, some medical problems cannot be treated on campus and the patient must go to a specialist or a hospital. In such cases, the student is responsible for paying all outside costs. Some medical expenses health insurance covers are emergency room care, hospitalization, eye care, and dental services.

International students must show proof they have health insurance for themselves and their families, including their children, throughout their stay in the United States. Health costs in the United States are very high.

Several student health insurance plans are available to full-time students, their spouses, and dependents. University Health Services administers several student plans at a discounted rate. Staff members of the Office of International Services can help international students choose the best policy for them. That office may be contacted at 310 Walnut Place, Syracuse University, Syracuse NY 13244, USA; telephone 315–443–2457; fax 315–443–3091.

Coverage details and premium rates may be obtained from the Office of Human Resources, Employee Benefits, Skytop Office Building, Syracuse University, Syracuse NY 13244–5300, USA; telephone 315–443–1873; fax 315–443–1063.

Housing: On-campus housing at Syracuse University’s Slocum Heights Apartments, located at South Campus, is available for single graduate students and families.  Information on room descriptions, related facilities, room rates, application process, or meal plans, are available at the South Campus Housing Office; Goldstein Student Center; Room 206; 401 Skytop Road; Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; telephone 315-443-2567; fax 315-443-1789; email schousng@syr.edu.

Summer housing is available to students from mid-May through early August; minimum stay is six weeks. The available apartments are located on Winding Ridge Road on South Campus. For more information, contact the South Campus housing office. Campus meal plans are optional for graduate students and costs vary. To view housing and meal plan options, go to the website www.syr.edu/housingmealplans.

Many graduate students choose to live off-campus in private apartments in neighborhoods near the University. Many graduate students choose to live off campus in private apartments in the neighborhoods near the University. Orange Housing maintains an off-campus housing directory listing available apartments as well as notices from people looking for roommates to share apartments. For more information, visit www.orangehousing.com.

Costs: The figures provided below are the approximate costs for graduate students attending Syracuse University for the 2005-06 academic year. Please remember these figures are estimates. Actual expenses will vary widely for individual students, depending on their living habits.
 

Tuition ($686 per credit hour; 24 hours):   $16,464
Fees:                                                     $ 406
Housing and Meals:                                $10,240
Medical Insurance:                                  $1,200
Transportation:                                         $600
 

Some additional expenses to consider: books and supplies, travel, summer enrollment and living expenses, and other personal expenses.

All master of public administration (M.P.A.) students, whose program is conducted year-round, should add the following costs to the above academic year estimate: an additional 16 credits of tuition and additional costs for housing, meals, books, personal expenses, and travel for the summer months. Total degree costs for full-time M.P.A. students for 2006-07 are estimated to be $52,000.

Payment to the University may be made in one of two ways: the regular payment plan or a special monthly payment plan. Under the regular plan, at the beginning of each semester a bill is issued for the semester’s total charges for tuition and fees (and for housing, meals, and other fees, if applicable). All charges listed on the bill must be paid in full within 30 days of the first day of classes for that semester. Students are responsible for ensuring that financial awards they receive, from any source, are available by the time of registration. If a financial award has been promised, but has not yet been received, the student must pay all charges in full. The University will refund the amount of the award when it receives the award.

The monthly payment plan allows students to pay total semester charges in six monthly payments. Further information on Syracuse University’s payment policies can be found in "Tuition, Fees, and Related Policies," a publication available from Bursar Operations, 102 Archbold North, Syracuse University, Syracuse NY 13244-1140, USA; 315-443-2444; fax: 315-443-3630.

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