School District Business Leader Admissions
Admission Requirements
Students entering the Post-master’s Certificate in School District Business Leadership MUST possess the following for admission:
- Master's degree. Applicants to this program must have an MBA, MS in Management, MS in Finance or Accounting or a master’s in human resource management, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Personal statement. The required 750-1000 word personal statement should be a reflection
of your ability to approach graduate-level work successfully, using creativity, critical
thinking, analysis and research. The statement should address the following:
- What is your purpose in pursuing this degree/certificate?
- How have you prepared yourself for this field of study? (Include any relevant professional experience.)
- Specifically, how will this degree/certificate assist you in advancing both your professional and personal goals?
- Describe your research and study interests and any other aspects of your background, skills, or qualifications that would aid the Admissions Committee in evaluating your motivation for graduate study.
- Your personal statement must be your own original work.
- Two letters of recommendation. One from the CEO, COO, or CFO (or his or her designee) and one from corporate or other supervisory personnel or administrators who have a thorough knowledge of whether you have the temperament and disposition to become an effective leader. One of these letters must indicate that you have had three (3) years of full-time administrative, supervisory and business-related experience.
- In those cases where the departmental admissions committee deems it desirable, personal interviews with departmental representatives may be requested.
How to Apply
To expedite the application and admissions process, please upload and/or send all materials to the SPD contact as required by your program at the time of submission of your application.
Applications, letters of recommendation, personal statements, copies of teaching licenses and any other required materials, along with a nonrefundable $100 application fee, are submitted online through Slate. Official transcripts may be sent electronically from the institution to the School of Professional Development or may be mailed to the address listed below. Students who take courses on campus will also be required to submit an immunization form to Student Health Services.
Application Materials
Applications, letters of recommendation, personal statements, any other required materials and a nonrefundable $100 application fee are submitted online through Slate.
- Students who take any courses on campus will also be required to send Student Health Servicea completed immunization/meningitis form, which must be received before the first day of their first on-campus term. Visit Student Health Service website for more information.
- Transcripts and any other supporting materials not included in your electronic application can be sent to:
Graduate Program Coordinator - School District Business Leadership
2321 Computer Science Building
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY 11794 - 4434 (must include the last four digits)
If you have elected to have your transcript sent electronically directly from the
issuing institution, please have the transcript sent to the following address: spd_transcripts@stonybrook.edu
*Please do not send any SPD application materials to the Graduate School.
Application Timeline
SPD accepts applications on a rolling basis, with three admit terms a year – Fall, Spring and Summer. Applications submitted by the dates listed below will be granted priority review. Completed application packages received after this date will be accommodated as space permits.
If an applicant's package is missing materials and cannot be reviewed for the upcoming term, the application will be held for processing for the next admissions cycle.
Priority Deadlines
- Fall: July 15
- Spring: December 1
- Summer: May 1
Applicants may expect to hear from the School of Professional Development (SPD)/Stony Brook University via email regarding an admissions decision typically within two business weeks after receipt of the completed application. SPD must be in receipt of complete applications by the published deadline for the requested term of admission, Fall, Spring or Summer, in order to be reviewed by the SDBL Admissions Committee. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed or considered for admission.
Contact Information for Applicants
School of Professional Development
2321 Computer Science Building
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY 11794 - 4434
Email: spd@stonybrook.edu
Tel. (631) 632-7050
Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer. Stony Brook University is 100 percent tobacco-free.
