How To Apply

For Advanced Graduate Certificate Programs Only (excludes Post-master's and Higher Education Administration programs)

Applications are accepted online via Apply Yourself. All applicants must provide a valid email address and must be using a web browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari) that is Javascript-enabled (as most browsers are). If you have any questions about the technical requirements, see the Apply Yourself website.

To complete the application process, you will need to do the following:

1. Complete an online orientation and submit the required online Orientation Checklist at the end of the online orientation section, under SIGN OUT.
2. Write a personal statement. We would like to know about special qualifications over and above those already cited on this application; your experience relative to the program to which you are applying; and how this certificate will help advance both your professional and personal goals. The statement should be a minimum of one and a maximum of five pages. Save the statement to your hard drive. (If you are not using Microsoft Word, you will need to save the document in a Text-Only or Rich Text Format.)
3. Go to the Apply Yourself website and click on the "Create Account" button. By creating an account, you will receive a unique ID so you can check your application status online. You will be given a choice of programs for which to apply.
   
   Note for Coaching and Human Resource Management Applicants: If you plan to take all courses on campus, or if you only want to take a few courses online, be sure to select the "Advanced Graduate Certificate in Coaching (or Higher Education or Human Resource Management)" option. If you only plan to take online courses, select the "Advanced Graduate Certificate in Coaching Online" option. Students who select the "Online" option receive priority registration but are not eligible to take on-campus courses.
   
4. Submit the nonrefundable $100 application fee, either via credit card, check, or money order. (Instructions are on the Apply Yourself website.)
5. Arrange to have an official, sealed copy of your transcript sent to SPD. Mailing address: School of Professional Development, N-201 Social & Behavioral Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-4310. (Full zip code must be used.) The transcript must show that you have earned a bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 (if your GPA is lower than 2.75, please see the note on Conditional Admission, below). If you earned your bachelor's from Stony Brook, SPD will access your transcript electronically.
6. Print, fill out, and return Immunization Form (PDF).
7. Additional requirements apply for International Students (see Information for International Students).

If you cannot complete the application online, you can call SPD (631.632.7050, option 3) and arrange to have an application sent to you. Please note, however, that printed applications take longer to process.

Conditional Admission

If your official transcript indicates an undergraduate cumulative GPA below 2.75, you will be considered for conditional admission. Conditionally admitted part-time students must achieve a 3.00 GPA after attempting six graduate credits (applicable to their program) at Stony Brook. Full-time students (12 or more credits) must achieve a 3.00 GPA after their first semester. If a 3.00 GPA is not achieved as aforementioned, students normally will not be permitted to re-enroll. However, a student may petition SPD's Committee on Academic Standing to be allowed to continue taking courses as a non-matriculating student.

Application Deadlines

• July 15 for Fall admission.
• December 15 for Spring admission
• March 15 for Summer admission.

*Applications may be accepted up until two weeks prior to the start of a term, but SPD cannot guarantee course availability for late applicants.

Contact Information

School of Professional Development
N 201 Social and Behavioral Sciences Building
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY 11794-4310
E-mail: spd@stonybrook.edu
Tel. (631) 632-7050 (option 3)

Statement of Student Responsibility
Students themselves—whether new, returning, or continuing—are responsible for reviewing, understanding, and adhering to their degree and/or certificate program requirements. (SPD’s Non-matriculating (non-degree) Graduate Students [GSP] are responsible for adhering to the guidelines related to non-matriculated status.) All SPD students are responsible for reviewing, understanding, and complying with University and SPD regulations, policies, and procedures, as described in all official publications, the University website, and the SPD website, including, but not limited to, SPD’s online references, the SPD Student Handbook and SPD Academic Calendar.