Frequently Asked Questions: Graduate Studies

All candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent from an accredited college or university are invited to apply to an NYU-SCPS master’s degree or graduate certificate program. For more information about required application components, please visit Admissions Criteria.

The following components are required for submission in order to complete a master’s degree or a graduate certificate application:

• A complete online
• A current résumé
• A personal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
• International students also are required to submit TOEFL scores and, if requested, an evaluation of foreign credentials to verify transcript equivalency to the U.S. educational system.
• A $150 application fee

Standardized test scores such as the GRE, GMAT, or LSAT are not required upon submission of an application.

For additional details, please see Admissions Criteria.

For international students, the following components are required for submission in order to complete a master’s degree or a graduate certificate application:

• A complete online
  
• A current résumé
• A personal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
• If requested, an evaluation of foreign credentials to confirm the equivalency of an international degree
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores for applicants who did not complete an undergraduate degree in the United States or in a country where the only primary language is English
• A $150 application fee

Note: Applicants who require an F-1 visa, are not eligible to apply for graduate certificate programs.

Standardized test scores such as the GRE, GMAT, or LSAT are not required upon submission of an application.

For additional details, see Admissions Criteria.

Students who have previously attended a graduate program at NYU-SCPS and have been out of school for one academic year are required to reapply online. The academic program evaluates the application for readmission, and the applicant will be notified by mail.

Because the Office of Admissions operates on a rolling admissions basis, applications are reviewed throughout the year, so you may apply at any time. However, we recommend adhering to the application submission dates listed below. This will allow you to begin your studies during the term in which you applied.

Recommended Graduate Application Submission Dates

Fall Semester
International Early Decision: Feb 1
International Final Date: May 15
Domestic Early Decision: Feb 1
Domestic Final Date: Aug 1

Spring Semester
International Early Decision: Aug 15
International Final Date: Oct 1
Domestic Early Decision: Oct 15
Domestic Final Date: Dec 15

Summer Semester
International Early Decision: Jan 15
International Final Date: Mar 1
Domestic Early Decision: Feb 15
Domestic Final Date: May 1

*Summer enrollment is not available for the M.S. in Global Affairs, M.S. in Integrated Marketing, M.S. in Publishing: Digital and Print Media, and the M.S. in Translation.

In accordance with the NYU policy of becoming an environmentally sustainable institution, NYU-SCPS recommends that all applicants apply online. If applying online, we encourage you to upload supporting documents using the same online system. You may send any other printed supporting documents to: 

NYU-SCPS Office of Admissions
7 East 12th Street, Suite 921
New York, NY 10003

To request an application fee waiver, please submit a written request to scps.gradadmissions@nyu.edu, detailing why you wish to be considered for the waiver. Your request must be e-mailed prior to you submitting your application, not after submission and payment.

The Admissions Committee begins issuing admission decisions for the fall term in March, for the spring term in August, and for the summer term in January. Fall applicants who submit a complete application by February 1 are guaranteed an admission decision by March 15. Admission decisions for fall applications received or completed after February 1 will be issued after April 15. Applications received thereafter for the fall term will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and decisions are typically rendered within two to three weeks of receipt of a complete application. Admission decisions for summer and spring applications are typically made within two to three weeks after the Admissions Committee has begun the review process for your intended term of entry.

The Office of Admissions provides written decisions only and will not release a decision over the telephone.

All applicants who apply online are able to view their admission status using our online system. The Office of Admissions sends an e-mail acknowledgment to all applicants upon receipt of an application. Instructions for checking your admission status are included in this acknowledgment e-mail.

The status check in the online application is not automatically updated when your application is submitted. If you have just submitted your application, the Office of Admissions has not yet been able to process it and match it to any credentials submitted with your online application or received separately. The status check will be updated as your application is processed and will clearly indicate if your application is still being processed. It also will indicate if any documents are missing.

You may apply to a graduate program during your last term of undergraduate study. If you are admitted, you will be required to submit an official transcript conferring your undergraduate degree within your first semester of study.

Yes. In order to conduct a review of an application, the Office of Admissions needs to evaluate transcripts from all institutions previously attended.

Official transcripts must be submitted to the Office of Admissions at the address below in a sealed envelope. The envelope(s) may be mailed directly by the institution(s) at which you studied or they may be delivered by you to the Office of Admissions.

The Office of Admissions will review applications accompanied by unofficial copies of transcripts. You may submit unofficial copies to our office in the mail or by uploading them to your online application. If you are admitted, we must receive official transcripts within your first semester of study.

NYU-SCPS Office of Admissions
7 East 12th Street, Suite 921
New York, NY 10003

Official letters of recommendation can be mailed to the Office of Admissions at the address below in a sealed envelope. Additionally, if the applicant applies online, the recommendation provider has the option of uploading their recommendation using the online application system. We do not accept official letters of recommendation via e-mail or fax.

NYU-SCPS Office of Admissions
7 East 12th Street, Suite 921
New York, NY 10003

NYU-SCPS does not require standardized test scores, such as the GRE, the GMAT, or the LSAT. However, you may choose to submit test scores as further testament of your graduate school preparations.

Applicants who did not complete an undergraduate degree in the United States or in a country where the only primary language is English, are required to submit TOEFL scores.

Standardized test scores from ETS (either for the GRE or theTOEFL) can be sent to us using our school code, 2557. If you are submitting a GMAT test score, you may submit your score to the “NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies.”

Although standardized test scores are not required for admission (except for the TOEFL for international students), should you wish to submit them, our preference is for the GRE or the GMAT test scores, although we will accept scores from the LSAT.

Applicants who did not complete an undergraduate degree in the United States or in a country where the only primary language is English, are required to submit TOEFL scores. IELTS are accepted in place of the TOEFL; the Office of Admissions will not accept any scores that are older than two years.

The Office of Admissions requires all applicants who have not earned their entire four-year undergraduate degree in the United States or in a country where English is the only primary language to submit TOEFL scores. If you would like exemption from this policy, please submit your request in writing, detailing why the waiver should be granted. Typically, the Admissions Committee must have all other components of your applications to make a determination on a TOEFL waiver.

Recommendations can come from either academic or professional sources. If the applicant has not been in an academic setting for several years, professional recommendations can be submitted. The Office of Admissions does not accept recommendations from friends or family members. We encourage you to share some information with your recommendation providers about the program to which you are applying, so they can tailor their recommendation appropriately.

To reach a representative from the NYU-SCPS Office of Admissions, please call (212) 998-7100 or e-mail scps.gradadmissions@nyu.edu. Additionally, we can arrange a one-on-one meeting with an admissions counselor if requested. Walk-in visitors are welcome from Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

NYU-SCPS Office of Admissions
7 East 12th Street, Suite 921
New York, NY, 10003

For details about all the ways in which you can connect with us, see Request Information.

The NYU-SCPS Office of Admissions hosts a number of events throughout the year in conjunction with our academic departments that are designed to provide prospective students with up-to-date and detailed information about our programs, the admissions process, financial aid, and more.

These events are a great way to connect with faculty members, students, alumni, and admissions counselors and to get a feel for the NYU-SCPS graduate student experience. Events are held in many different formats and in a variety of locations.

For an up-to-date event schedule, please visit Admissions Events.

If you have questions for our students or you would like to be connected with graduate alumni in your area, please e-mail scps.gradadmissions@nyu.edu. Please be as specific as possible about your interests and where you are located, if you do not live in the New York metropolitan area, so that we can do our best to connect you with the most appropriate individuals.

Yes. If you are interested in attending either one of our regularly scheduled mock class sessions, please e-mail scps.gradadmissions@nyu.edu.

The total cost of a graduate program of study may vary, depending upon the number of credits required for that particular program and whether you are attending part-time or full-time in any given semester. For detailed information regarding our tuition structure, please refer to the Tuition and Fees section of the website.

No, the cost of attendance is the same for all students.

All financial aid is determined by information submitted by a student on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All domestic students (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) are eligible to complete the FAFSA. Based upon the information provided, students will be considered for funds available through the federal government as well as for NYU-SCPS scholarships. The NYU school code is 002785. For deadlines and details, please see the FAFSA website. For more information on scholarships, loans, and payment plan options, visit the Financing Your Education section of this website.

If you are eligible to file the FAFSA (U.S. citizens and permanent residents only) and you are registered for at least six credits each semester, then you are eligible for financial aid. If you drop below six credits, you are not eligible for federal aid or NYU-SCPS scholarships. Students planning to take less than six credits who require financial assistance should consider private or alternative loans.

Because international students are not eligible to file the FAFSA and therefore are not eligible for federal aid, financial aid is very limited for international students, but resources do exist. Many international students find funding opportunities in their home countries. However, if that is not available other options include:

• Scholarships and fellowships (including the Reynolds Fellowship and the Fulbright Scholarship)
• Private loans
• NYU payment plans

For more information on the above options, please see:

• NYU-SCPS Financial Aid Options for International Students
• NYU Office of Financial Aid

Federal work-study opportunities may be awarded to domestic students who complete the FAFSA, but are generally reserved for students who demonstrate the greatest financial need. Additionally, NYU provides a wide range of traditional employment opportunities for students, and all students can take advantage of career management services offered through their academic department, through NYU-SCPS Office of Career Management, and through the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development.

NYU-SCPS does not offer teaching or research assistant positions.

On-campus housing for graduate students at NYU is limited. The few spaces that are available are open to students pursuing full-time study. Housing is typically offered for the student’s first year. Accepted students who submit their Candidate Reply Form and deposit, which indicates their intent to register, are eligible to apply for housing.

Information on the housing application process is available via the NYU-SCPS Office of Admissions so please contact us with any general questions. To learn more about the residence hall facilities available to students, please visit the Office of Residential Life and Housing Services website.

The graduate housing application process for the fall semester begins in March, and students are notified in mid-June regarding the status of their housing reservation. Admitted students for the spring term may apply for housing through the housing waitlist. For more information regarding housing for the spring and summer semesters, please contact an admissions representative at scps.gradadmissions@nyu.edu.

For the fall term, housing applications must be submitted by June 1. After that date, applicants are placed on a housing waitlist. Admitted students for the spring term may apply for housing through the housing waitlist.

Yes. The NYU Off-Campus Housing Office provides assistance to current and newly admitted NYU students, faculty and staff members who are not eligible for, or who are not interested in, NYU student housing, including those with families or nonstudent roommates who are seeking private off-campus apartment rentals. More information is available through the NYU Off-Campus Housing Guide. You must be an admitted student to log into the off-campus housing search portal.

The U.S. Embassy or Consulate in a foreign country issues a student (F-1) visa for the purpose of entering the United States for full-time study. Before you can apply for this visa, you must be admitted to a full-time program at NYU-SCPS. Once you have been admitted to a program, you will receive a document (I-20 Form) to present to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to apply for your student (F-1) visa. Only the NYU Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) is authorized to issue the I-20 form.

The Visitor for Business (B-1) and Visitor for Tourism (B-2) visas are used for short-term visits–generally six months or less. The U.S. Department of State, requires that students planning to temporarily visit the United States for reasons other than those permitted on a visitor visa–business, pleasure, tourism or medical treatment–must apply for a different visa in the appropriate category.

Under the new regulations, visitors are not permitted to pursue a full course of study or to attend classes prior to receiving approval of the change of status request from the Bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (BUSCIS). To facilitate the change of status process, the prospective student should notify the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) upon arrival in the US, of their intent to begin a full course of study in the United States. Students who fail to inform the INS official at the port of entry will not receive approval of a change of status request and must return to their home country to apply for a student (F-1) visa before starting their program.

Since the change of status application may require a three-to-four month processing period, students are strongly encouraged to return to their home country to apply for a student visa. Visitors who enter the United States on a 90-day visa waiver cannot apply for a change of status in the US and must return to their home country to apply for a student visa.

Only full-time degree students who enter the U.S. on a student (F-1) visa have the opportunity to work part-time during the academic year and full-time for one year after the completion of a degree program. Part-time employment is limited to the NYU campus and must not exceed 20 hours per week. Prior to the commencement of any employment, F-1 students must obtain permission to work from the NYU Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS).

As a full-time or part-time NYU-SCPS student, you can use the NYU Student Health Center, located at 726 Broadway, 3rd and 4th Floors. Depending upon your insurance coverage, fee collection for the visit may vary. NYU requires all full-time students to enroll in a health insurance plan, either through the University or through another insurance company.

Full-time students who enter on a student (F-1) visa are eligible to enroll in the NYU Health Insurance Plan. If you are entering the United States as a tourist (B-2) or on another type of visa, you should purchase health insurance coverage before you travel to the United States.

An F-1 or J-1 international student on a personal leave of absence may not remain in the United States. When approving a leave of absence, the appropriate department or school official should notify the NYU Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) and the student must depart the United States immediately.

International students requiring a leave of absence or permission to take less than a full course load for medical reasons are eligible to stay in the United States, subject to conditions set forth by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in accordance with information provided by a physician.

Students out of attendance who did not apply for a leave and who wish to return to NYU-SCPS must apply for readmission.

Students who are interested in taking courses to gain further knowledge in a specific area before applying to a degree program or who plan to transfer course credits to another college, may apply for nonmatriculant status. Also known as special student status, prospective nonmatriculant students should fill out the Graduate Special Student Application and submit supporting materials found in the Admissions Criteria for Nonmatriculant Students.

Yes. The M.S. in Human Resource Management and Development program and its corresponding graduate certificate programs can be completed entirely online, on-site, or through a combination of the two formats. The M.S. in Management and Systems program and its corresponding graduate certificate programs can also be completed online with the exception of the master's concentration in Database Technologies. The M.S. in Translation program can be completed exclusively online. And, the new Graduate Certificate in Real Estate can be completed online. Please visit the Online Learning section of the website for a full list of offerings.

Online course meeting times are generally between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. EST. Most courses require students to log in to class with their classmates for a live interactive lecture each week. Asynchronous learning activities, such as team projects and group discussions, take place throughout the semester as well.

The fall term typically begins in early September, the spring term in mid-January, and the summer term in mid-May. The official academic calendar is available through the NYU Office of the Registrar.

The majority of NYU-SCPS classes meet Monday through Thursday in the evening, typically beginning around 6:20 p.m. Some programs have daytime, afternoon, and Saturday schedules as well. Most courses meet for two and a half hours, once per week for 15 weeks.

However, courses within the M.S. in Management and Systems and the M.S. in Human Resource Management and Development (and its corresponding graduate certificates) meet for six weeks, generally for three hours two nights per week. Online courses offered within both of these programs generally require students to log in to a live, interactive classroom for two to three hours two nights per week.

Classes are held at several NYU-SCPS locations across the city which include:

• The NYU Midtown Center, located at 11 West 42nd Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues)
• The Woolworth Building, located downtown, on Broadway (between Park Place and Barclay Street) in Lower Manhattan near City Hall
• 7 East 12th Street, the new on-campus home of NYU-SCPS, located in Greenwich Village.

For more information about these locations, please see Visit Us.

Full-time students generally complete their graduate program of study within two years. Part-time students can anticipate completing their programs within two to five years, depending upon how many courses they complete each semester.

Graduate certificates can be completed within one to three years.

Master’s degree students may pursue full-time or part-time study. Graduate certificates are completed on a part-time basis. International students on F-1 visas are required to study full-time and are only eligible to apply for master’s degree programs.

A student can potentially transfer up to six credits and apply them towards the credits that need to be earned at NYU-SPS. The program office will evaluate your credits after you have been admitted and have registered. Transfer credits are only eligible from another graduate-level degree program at an accredited college or university, and will only be accepted if you did not complete the graduate degree for which the credits are associated.

If you have earned additional credits beyond the six that qualify for transfer into your graduate program of study at NYU-SCPS, or if you have completed another graduate degree and have acquired knowledge equivalent to a course in your program of study at NYU-SCPS but that is not eligible for transfer, you also may be considered for course waivers. If you are granted a course waiver, you are waived from a course within your program of study, but you must take another course in its place.

Yes! We would love for you to come experience the McGhee community for yourself. Simply contact the NYU-SCPS Office of Admissions to arrange a time.  We look forward to finding out more about you.

For information about our campus locations and directions, see Visit Us.

If the program already is filled for the term of your choice when your application is received, or if your application is incomplete, an admissions counselor will be in contact with you and will offer to either move your application to the next available term or to withdraw your application from review. An applicant is never denied admission if the application is received late or if the program has filled. If the individual qualifies for admission, he/she will be accommodated during the next semester the program runs.

Like on-site courses, online courses are led by faculty and taken by students during an established academic term. However, the primary means of communication is through an online learning platform, that provides many ways of sharing information, asking questions, and collaborating on projects through digital means. Most courses include opportunities to meet online in real time with your class for live video discussions through your computer. Online courses are just as demanding as on-site courses. The reading materials, projects, assignments, and discourse are equivalent to on-site courses.

For more information about McGhee online offerings, please visit Online Learning.