Admission to Graduate Degree Programs
Matriculants
A matriculant (degree student) is one who has received formal written acceptance by the College and department for work toward a specific graduate degree. Candidates for a Lehman graduate degree will be admitted unconditionally if they have no deficiencies in prerequisite undergraduate coursework and meet all other College and departmental entrance requirements. Conditional admission to matriculated status may be offered to applicants who have deficiencies in prerequisite undergraduate coursework, or who lack the minimum Grade Point Average. "Conditions" are defined, at the time of admission, as a limited number of specific undergraduate courses (normally, either a maximum of 6 credits that must be completed within one year or a maximum of 12 credits that must be completed in three semesters), or a Grade Point Average that must be maintained during either the first or the first two semesters of matriculation.
General Admission Requirements for Matriculants
To be admitted, an applicant must:
Possess a bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited college or university. Submit official transcript(s) from all post-secondary institutions. Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a Foreign Transcript Evaluation Agency. Approved evaluation agencies can be found on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Agencies website (www.naces.org). Official transcripts and other documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by a notarized English translation. The evaluation and translation should be completed 8-10 weeks prior to the deadline. Students in their final undergraduate semester should submit the official transcript of coursework completed to date. Upon graduation, students must present additional transcript showing the degree awarded. Lehman graduates who have attended other colleges are required to submit official transcripts from those colleges.
Have demonstrated the potential to successfully pursue graduate study, that is, have attained a minimum undergraduate grade average of B in the field selected for the graduate major and a minimum grade average of B- in the undergraduate record as a whole (higher in some programs). For more specific information, see the Graduate Program Adviser.
In all but education programs, have taken a minimum of 18 credits of previous work acceptable to the appropriate department in the proposed graduate major. For education programs, consult the departmental Graduate Program Adviser.
Submit a 500-word essay outlining your career goals.
If applying to the program in Accounting or Business, submitting an acceptable score on the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) is optional.
If applying to the English program, History program, Public Health program or Speech program, submit a score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Submit letters of recommendation as required by the individual program.
If conditionally admitted, satisfy the conditions within the specified time period.
Meet additional departmental admission requirements, as specified.
If submitting academic records from a non-English speaking country, demonstrate competency in English through TOEFL IBT score of at least 61 or the Academic IELTS score of at least 6 (higher for some programs).
Nonmatriculants
A non-matriculant (non-degree student) is one who may take courses for credit but has not been formally admitted to a degree program. Under this status, students are not eligible for any degree at Lehman College, nor does coursework taken as a non-matriculant guarantee admission to a degree program. If subsequently admitted to a degree program, the student can, with the approval of the Graduate Program Adviser(s), count a maximum of 12 credits earned as a non-matriculated student toward the degree.
Admission Requirements for Nonmatriculants
To register for courses as a non-matriculant, an applicant must:
Possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Submit a transcript showing the award of an undergraduate degree.
Have a minimum undergraduate average of B-. (School of Education program applicants must have a minimum undergraduate average of B.)
To take graduate courses in Accounting, submit an acceptable score on the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT).
Obtain the approval of the department's graduate adviser. Please note that not all programs accept non-degree seeking students.
If submitting academic records from a non-English speaking country, demonstrate competency in English through TOEFL IBT score of at least 61 or IELTS score of at least 6 (higher for most programs).
Students Without Bachelor's Degrees and Special Students
Professionals of exceptional ability may be admitted to graduate courses in the arts even though they have not earned a bachelor's degree. The admission of a special student requires approval of the appropriate department chair and the College's Office of Graduate Studies. Special students are not eligible for any degree.
Lehman Undergraduates
With program approval undergraduate students with a declared major who are not registered for a dual degree program, have completed at least 90 credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above and who satisfy necessary pre-requisites may enroll in a total of twelve graduate credits during their senior year.
Graduate courses may not count towards Pathways requirements or the residency requirement for the major/minor. Graduate courses will be counted towards the calculation of Dean's List, Presidential Scholars, and departmental honors.
Grading will occur on the following system: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, and F.
Tuition will be charged in accordance with the tuition and fee manual. Full-time undergraduate students who receive permission to take graduate courses will be charged the undergraduate tuition rate for graduate courses which are applicable to the student's undergraduate degree. (within the 120 credits required for graduation). If the student is part-time, the graduate rate will be charged for graduate courses and the undergraduate rate for undergraduate courses. Students receiving financial aid in the form of grants and/or loans should confirm that the additional charges will be covered by their aid by speaking to a Financial Aid Counselor.
Students who meet the eligibility requirements must get approval from the graduate program advisor and the Office for Graduate Studies. An Authorization Form is available from any graduate program advisor.
Applying for Admission
The online application for admission (matriculant and non-matriculant) may be found on the Office of Graduate Admissions' web page at http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/graduate-admissions/applying.php.
Once on the Lehman College homepage, do the following:
Click on the "Admissions" link.
Click on "Graduate," from the drop down menu and select "Apply Now."
Applying for Admission
The online application for admission (matriculant and non-matriculant) may be found on the Office of Graduate Admissions' web page at http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/graduate-admissions/applying.php.
Once on the Lehman College homepage, do the following:
Click on the "Admissions" link.
Click on "Graduate," from the drop down menu and select "Apply Now."
Matriculants
A completed application for matriculation consists of the completed and submitted online application, official college transcripts of all past undergraduate and graduate work, letters of recommendation as required by the individual department, and, in some instances, test scores, i.e., the GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, G-NAT, OPI and, in some programs, an interview or audition. The number of recommendations required, the topic(s) and format of the application essay, the particular test required, and whether or not a personal interview or audition is required can be determined by referring to the portions of this bulletin that describe the individual graduate programs.
Completed applications must be on-file in the Admissions Office for fall admission by February 15 (Speech-Language Pathology and Social Work), March 15 (School of Health Sciences, Human Services & Nursing and the School of Natural & Social Sciences), April 15 (School of Arts & Humanities and School of Education), May 30 (Liberal Studies) Applications for spring admissions must be on-file in the Admissions Office by October 1 (School of Health Sciences, Human Services & Nursing and the School of Natural & Social Sciences), October 15 (School of Arts & Humanities, School of Education, and Liberal Studies). , Social Work, Public Health, Educational Leadership, and Counselor Education Programs accept applications only for fall admissions.. For more information, call the Graduate Admissions Office at 718-960-8777.
Admission to matriculated status requires review by the particular department the applicant wishes to enter. Only completed applications are put forward for faculty review.
Nonmatriculants
For applicants wishing to enter the College as non-matriculants, a completed application consists of the on-line application and college transcript(s) that show completion of an undergraduate degree and test scores (GRE/GMAT/TOEFL) if required. Applications from prospective non-matriculants may be accepted through the registration period only, subject to available space in the desired program.
Departmental Approval for Registration in Courses
All graduate students at Lehman College, should meet with their Graduate Program Advisor to ensure proper course selection, program planning, and in most cases to secure departmental approval. In most cases registration is not possible without department approval.
Students may contact the Office of Graduate Studies, graduate.studies@lehman.cuny.edu, for assistance identifying an advisor, registering for courses, and/or navigating CUNYfirst.
International Students
Lehman College is authorized under federal law to admit nonimmigrant-alien students. At Lehman, an "international student" is defined as any person studying in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for admission of international students, except for nationals of English-speaking countries. The required minimum TOEFL score is 500 for admission to Lehman and is higher in most fields. Information may be obtained from TOEFL/ Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151. Residents of English-speaking countries are exempt from taking the test.
All students on F-I or J-I visas must be full-time students every semester, carrying a course load of at least 9 credits, to qualify for and maintain this visa status. Form I-20 or IAP-66 will be issued to full-time students who have provided the required financial documentation to the Office of Admissions and have been admitted to the College. Qualified nonimmigrant aliens holding B (visitor) visas who wish to attend or have started attending Lehman College must apply through the International Student Adviser for a change of status to F (student) visa two months before their current B visa expires. The International Student Certification Officer can provide necessary documentation of the student's status at Lehman.
The College will not be responsible for any interruption and/or termination of studies and will not refund tuition or fees should the student be unable to obtain the required student visa or transfer and be required to leave the country before the end of a term. Students concerned about their status may consult with the International Student Certification officer as soon as possible.
All prospective or new International Students with student visas must consult the International Student Certification Officer before registration. The officer will inform students about immigration regulations and procedures, currency exchange, off-campus housing, and related matters of special concern to international students.
Health
Students accepted for Lehman degree programs must have the physical and mental health that enables them to conform to all the College's academic requirements, including completion of the degree within a reasonable period.
Physical examinations are required by the College for programs and activities that may require certification of physical health.
Immunization Registration Requirement
Students who do not submit proof of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunization or who fail to return the meningococcal meningitis response form within a statutory grace period shall be prohibited from attending the institution. For additional information, contact the Health Services Center located in Room 188 of the T-3 Building at 718-960-8900.
Public Health Law 2165 requires that postsecondary students be immunized against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).
All registered full-time students and part-time students born on or after January 1, 1957 who are enrolled for at least six, but fewer than twelve semester hours (or equivalent) per semester in an approved degree program or registered certificate program must submit proof of MMR immunization. Students may be exempt from the required MMR immunizations for religious or medical reasons. To qualify for a religious exception, students must submit a signed statement, or in the event the student is a minor (under 18), a signed statement from their parent or guardian, that they hold sincere and genuine religious beliefs that prohibit immunization. To qualify for a medical exception, students must submit a written statement from a licensed physician or nurse practitioner indicating that such immunization may be detrimental to their health.
Public Health Law 2167 requires that postsecondary institutions provide written information about meningococcal meningitis to its students and that students complete, sign, and return a meningococcal meningitis response form. Public Health Law 2167 does not require that students be immunized against meningitis.
Public Health Law 2167 requires colleges to distribute written information about meningococcal meningitis disease and vaccination and students to complete, sign, and return to the college, a meningococcal meningitis response form that: (a) confirms that the college has provided the information about meningococcal meningitis; and (b) indicates that either: (1) the student has received immunization against meningococcal meningitis within the ten years preceding the date of the response form; or (2) the student has decided against receiving the vaccination. This law applies to students who are enrolled in at least six semester hours (or the equivalent) per semester. No student may be exempt from receiving information or returning the response form.
Prohibition on Submission of Fraudulent Admission Documents
The submission of documents in support of applications for admission, such as transcripts, diplomas, test scores, references, or the applications themselves, that are forged, fraudulent, altered from the original, obtained under false pretenses, or otherwise deceptive is prohibited and is punishable by a five-year ban on applying for admission or five-year suspension from CUNY. A second violation is punishable by a lifetime ban on applying for admission or expulsion from CUNY.
Admission of Students Who May Pose a Risk to the College
The College reserves the right to deny admission to any student if in its judgment, the presence of that student on campus poses an undue risk to the safety or security of the College or the college community. That judgment will be based on an individualized determination taking into account any information the College has about a student's criminal record and the particular circumstances of the college, including the presence of a child care center, a public school or public school students on the campus. In addition, the College may consider factors such as the amount of time since the crime was committed; the amount of jail time served by the student; the number of years the student was on probation or parole; whether the student has satisfied probation or parole requirements at the time of the student's application; whether the student has completed drug, alcohol, sex offender or other treatment; and what work or educational experience the student has had after the conviction. Finally, if the student is known to have been assisted by a CUNY-sponsored or other re-entry program or initiative, the college will consult with a counselor or representative from said program.