/Continuing, Professional and Online Education
School of Professional Development

Student Road Map – Cohort Students

Welcome to the School of Professional Development at Stony Brook University! We have provided this road map to assist you as you prepare to embark on your academic journey. 

Application Status and Confirming Your Acceptance

  1. Application Status and Confirming Your Acceptance
  • For all questions regarding your application status, and/or offer of admission, please log into your online application portal, or contact your Graduate Program Coordinator.
  • Contact information for your Graduate Program Director or Coordinator can be found on your program's website.
  • Be sure to submit your electronic reply to an offer of admission via the application portal.
  • Matriculated Applicants: Be sure to submit your electronic reply to an offer of admission in your application portal by the deadline date stated in your offer email. Allow up to four weeks from the time you receive the email offering admission to receive an email notification that your application has been fully processed by SPD and that you are eligible to enroll.
  • Non-Matriculated Cohort Applicants: Allow approximately 3-5 business days from the time you receive the email offering admission to receive an email notification that your application has been fully processed by SPD and that you are eligible to enroll.
  • For more information on your application status, refer to the SPD Admissions Processing Timeline.

    • Log-in to SOLAR using your SBU ID# and password:  the initial SOLAR password is your date of birth in mmddyy format (example: December 5, 1973 would be typed as 120573). SOLAR is where the business of the University takes place (e.g., registration, bill paying, transcripts, etc.)
    • Your NetID is a different log-in that gives you access to all of the online resources available at the University (e.g., Blackboard, email, library materials, etc.). Learn how to set up your NetID.

The new student orientation contains important information that the University wants all new students to know as well as resources that you will find helpful. You will be asked to confirm that you completed the orientation before SPD can enroll you. Visit the SPD Orientation page.

  • A "hold" is an administrative requirement that a student must resolve. Students can review any holds they may have in the Action Center on the top left corner of the SOLAR home page. Students will need to re-check for holds before each enrollment cycle.
  • All new students will have at least one hold in SOLAR that will need to be addressed before they can enroll.
  • Some examples of actions that students will need to clear holds include: providing proof of health insurance, signing the Financial Responsibility Statement, enrolling in SB Alert, or submitting immunization records (see next question for more information on immunization).
  • Most holds can be cleared right within SOLAR. Simply click on the link to find out what you need to do.
  • We have compiled a list of common holds, including explanations on our website (but they still need to be resolved in SOLAR(

Screenshot of Holds notification in SOLAR.

  • In accordance with New York State Public Health Law, Stony Brook University requires that all students born on or after January 1, 1957 provide proof of immunity against measles, mumps and rubella. The state also requires that all students receive information about meningococcal disease. 
  • Students who are enrolled in an SPD program that is fully online need to click the Online and Distance Learning Students link and complete the attestation to have your registration hold removed.
  • Students taking on-campus courses need to submit their immunizations ASAP but at least before Day 1 of the term.
  • For more information, please contact Student Health Services at 631-632-6740.

  • Students are responsible for reviewing, understanding and abiding by the University's regulations, procedures, requirements and deadlines as described in official publications and calendars. This includes the SPD Bulletin and academic calendars.

  • In addition to the orientation presentations, your cohort may have a required online meeting to go over program details. If so, you will be contacted by your academic program director.

  • Cohort students will be enrolled by SPD into their first course and will be  enrolled automatically into the next course of the cohort in subsequent terms. 
  • Any changes to enrollment must be reported to your Teacher Center or Organization's Representative via email prior to Day 10 of the scheduled course.
  • If you do not wish to be enrolled in a subsequent course, be sure to let your Teacher Center or Organization's Representative know via email. 
  • Attendance will be taken at each class. 

  • Students who need to make up a course outside of their usual cohort enrollment must self-enroll via their SOLAR account. They will also be billed directly by the University. For instructions on registration and billing, please review the New Student Roadmap for Online & On-Campus Students.
  • Note: Any changes to a cohort student's enrollment should always be discussed with the Graduate Program Director and sponsor.
  • Courses taken on-campus or online are subject to standard tuition and fees as dictated by the Bursar's Office.

  • Please note that any correspondence or information relating to your Stony Brook student record will only be sent to your Stony Brook University email address. 
  • Instructions for accessing and setting up this email account can be found on Stony Brook's IT website. 

  • Students wishing to park on University campuses or use our transportation services, should visit the Transportation and Parking Services website for information on how to obtain a parking permit, parking maps and other important information.

  • All SPD students are eligible to receive a Stony Brook University ID card, whether they take their courses on-campus, online or in one of our cohorts.  To obtain a  photo ID card, you will need to go in person to the Campus Card office  during its business hours (refer its website for details).  Please bring a form of government-issued photo identification (e.g. a driver's license, passport, etc.).  
  • If you are a fully online student who needs an ID card but is unable to come to campus, you can receive a Distant Learner ID, which will not have a photo. To request a Distant Learner ID card, email your program administrators.

  • Students who are currently charged at the non-resident rate, and wish to be considered for resident tuition should review the eligibility requirements, and complete a residency application if they feel they are eligible. The application form and instructions are available here:  Applying for New York State Residency for Tuition Billing Purposes

Helpful Links

About SPD's Off-campus Cohorts

Stony Brook University Resources

Learning Resources