FALL 2023 BULLETIN
Special Circumstances
Conditional Admission
In exceptional cases where certain admission requirements are not met or the undergraduate preparation is inadequate, an applicant may be admitted conditionally. Such applicants will be considered on probation during the first semester. Program recommendation and School of Professional Development approval are required for conditional admission.
Students admitted conditionally for a low cumulative GPA must earn an overall graduate average of at least a B (3.0) during the first semester or first six credits of enrollment to be permitted to continue. For Graduate Matriculated Students, the overall GPA must be a minimum 2.5 after the first six credits. In this case, the student is considered to have achieved regular admission status.
A student admitted conditionally because of a low cumulative GPA who fails to earn a B (3.0) or 2.5 average for GSP students after the first six credits will not be permitted to reenroll. Both the student’s program and the School of Professional Development may set conditions that the student must satisfy during the early period of graduate work.
Change of Graduate Program and/or Academic Level
Should a student wish to change from one SPD program to another SPD program following admission and matriculation, a “Change of Graduate Program” form must be submitted to the School of Professional Development with original signatures by both prior and new department or program directors. In addition, international students who seek to change their program must obtain approval of an international student advisor.
Students must submit this form to the School of Professional Development before the first day of classes of the first semester indicated for the New Degree Program. Forms received after this date will be denied.
Changing from an SPD program to a program offered by a department other than SPD requires the student goes through the regular application process according to the new program. Once admitted to the new program, the student will need to submit an "Official Withdrawal from Program” form to SPD in order to discontinue the SPD program.
Secondary Program and Advanced Graduate Certificate
Should a student wish to add a secondary program or an Advanced Graduate Certificate to his or her primary program of study, a “ Permission to Enroll in a Secondary Degree or Secondary Certificate Program” form must be submitted to the School of Professional Development with original signatures by both the primary and new Graduate Program Directors. Final approval rests with the School of Professional Development. International students are required to obtain approval of an international student advisor.
Students who complete the published requirements for a second degree/certificate without obtaining this approval in advance are NOT eligible to receive the degree.
A maximum of 12 graduate credits from Stony Brook, which were earned in a primary program prior to a student being accepted into a secondary program, can be applied to the secondary program. For Advanced Graduate Certificates, students can apply a maximum of 6 credits earned in a primary program prior to being accepted into the certificate program (with exception to Post-Master’s programs which allow 12 credits). Credits applied to the degree requirements of a primary program cannot be applied towards the degree requirements of a secondary program.
Credits applied to a primary program can be applied towards the requirements of an Advanced Graduate Certificate.
The time limit for a degree program remains that same when adding a secondary certificate. A student must complete the certificate within the time limit for the degree program completion.