Non-Matriculated Status (GSP)

If you have a baccalaureate degree and are interested in taking undergraduate or graduate courses at Stony Brook, without working towards a degree, you may apply for admission as a non-matriculated graduate (GSP) student. The School of Professional Development serves the University's West Campus and Stony Brook Southampton non-matriculated graduate students. We are available to help students with administrative or academic problems not related to admission to another department's graduate degree program.

General Non-Matriculated Student Guidelines

IMPORTANT: The maximum number of graduate credits that one may earn as a non-matriculated graduate student (GSP) that may later be considered for any Stony Brook graduate degree is 12; for certificate programs, the maximum is 6.

Please read all guidelines carefully. Application forms and instructions are available to download below.

• As a non-matriculated graduate student (GSP), you may register for any graduate or undergraduate course as long as you have the stated prerequisites, if any. If you anticipate being accepted into a graduate program at Stony Brook, check in advance with the appropriate department to make sure the course(s) are applicable to the graduate degree or certificate you seek.
  
  
• Departmental permission for graduate non-SPD courses may be required prior to registration.
  
  
• GSP students cannot enroll in school administration (SBL/SDL) courses.
  
  
• Enrollment in a department's graduate courses does not entitle a GSP student to candidacy for a department's degrees. You must formally apply and be admitted to a degree and/or certificate program.
  
  
• GSP students are eligible to register during Open Enrollment (and after matriculated students), so you are advised to register as soon as Open Enrollment begins for each term for best course selection. A listing of all SPD graduate credit courses can be found on SPD's website. Complete course offerings (and descriptions) may be found on the SOLAR System, Stony Brook's online registration and records website. There is no guarantee that instructors will sign students into courses that are filled to capacity. You should register for an alternate course if your first choice is closed.
  
  
• Graduate cumulative grade point averages (GPA) will be based on all graduate courses taken at Stony Brook, including those taken as a GSP student or as any other Stony Brook graduate major.
  
  
• Students are advised to keep all Stony Brook records, including departmental correspondence, payment and registration receipts, etc., for reference and verification.
  
  
• GSP students are usually not eligible for financial aid. Check with the Financial Aid Office (631.632.6840).
  
  
• Tuition rates for non-matriculated graduate students (GSP) are based on the course level. The Bursar's Office has detailed information on tuition and fees.

• International student applicants requesting F1 or J1 visas are normally required to be matriculated in a degree or advanced graduate certificate program. Non-matriculating graduate student (GSP) status does not fulfill this requirement.

How To Apply

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 or Netscape Navigator) 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. 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.
2. Submit the nonrefundable $60 application fee, either via credit card, check, or money order. (Instructions are on the Apply Yourself website.)
3. Print, fill out, and return Immunization Form (28 KB; Requires Acrobat Reader or other PDF viewer).

The preferred method of application is online, however, you may contact SPD to request a paper application. Be advised that paper applications take longer to process.

Applicants are notified via email once their application and fee have been processed and they are eligible to enroll in classes.

Mandatory Insurance Information
For all students on non-immigrant visas, whether full or part-time, health insurance is mandatory and is automatically billed to the student's account and must be paid. An explanation of this policy may be found at Mandatory International Student Health Insurance. SPD students may pay by semester but are liable for the full year's charge unless they have applied for an insurance waiver and it has been approved. The deadline to apply for a waiver is the second week of classes. For further information regarding health insurance and eligibility for a waiver application, contact the Student Health Insurance Office in the West Campus Health Service (Infirmary). They may be reached by telephone at 631.632.6054.

How to Enroll

Once your application is processed, you will receive an email containing admission confirmation (including your Stony Brook ID number) and registration instructions. If no email address is provided, this information will be sent via US mail.

Once you have your Stony Brook ID number, you will be able to enroll in courses via the SOLAR System.

Contact Information

School of Professional Development
SBS Building, N-201
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY 11794-4310
Email: SPD@stonybrook.edu
Telephone: 631.632.7050, option 3
Fax: 631.632.9046

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.