FOR NEWLY ADMITTED STUDENTS

Getting Started

Welcome to the School of Public Affairs! Now that you have been accepted into the degree program of your choice, we imagine that you have many questions about starting your educational pursuits. We're here to answer some of those questions and facilitate your transition into graduate school. Most importantly, we will help you prepare for orientation by ensuring that you are aware of all preliminary requirements.

The first step toward beginning your studies is letting us know that you will be joining us in the coming semester. A letter of acceptance has been sent to you in a packet including an "Intent to Matriculate" form. Even if you call us to confirm, the process of admission is not complete until you fill out and return this form to us. Once you have confirmed your Intent to Enroll, the next series of important steps are to submit your tuition deposit, complete the Immunization Requirement, and provide proof of NY state residency if required.

Tuition Deposit

A non-refundable deposit of $250 is required for all new students in the MPA and Higher Ed programs to reserve your seat in the class. Executive MPA students are required to submit a $500 non-refundable deposit. You may submit your deposit by check or money order payable to Baruch College. Please submit your deposit to our office with your “Intent to Matriculate” form. The tuition deposit will be credited towards tuition for your first term of enrollment.

Immunization Requirement (click here to complete)

Mandatory for all students born after January 1957

Note: all students must complete the Meningitis response form or Part II of the Baruch College Immunization form.

Please read the instructions carefully when completing the Immunization Form. Make sure you attach all of the requested documentation, and when complete, please mail or submit all items to the Medical Records Office at Baruch. Incomplete documents may result in processing delays. Students who fail to meet this requirement will not be allowed to register for classes. No exceptions will be made.

Residency Application (click here to complete)

Not Required for Enrollment

Upon admission, the Office of Student Affairs and Graduate Admissions (SAGA) will make a determination of your residency status based upon information submitted with your application. If the Office of Graduate Admissions cannot make this determination based on the information you provided, you will be notified by mail of the required documentation for in-state eligibility.

If you are required to provide documentation for eligibility, students must provide proof of Residence in New York State for 12 consecutive months. Please read the NYS Residency Qualifications carefully to learn who may apply and how the Application Requirements can be met. The completed Residency Application Form must be accompanied by all necessary evidence and delivered to the Office of Student Affairs and Graduate Admissions (SAGA) for approval. Students who do not qualify or fail to provide all required documentation will be considered Out-of-State students and will be expected to pay non-resident tuition fees.

Registration for Spring 2012 Courses

After we receive your letter of intent to enroll for the upcoming semester, we will send you a detailed email with more information about enrollment. You will be sent information via e-mail (including a link to RSVP) about a mandatory Orientation meeting where you will obtain important information about graduate study at Baruch College. Please make sure to add spa.admissions@baruch.cuny.edu to your address book to ensure receipt of all communication from the Office of Student Affairs and Graduate Admissions at the School of Public Affairs.

After you RSVP for an Orientation meeting AND clear the immunization requirements, you can start thinking about registration. Prior to your orientation session, you will be sent information about courses available for the Spring semester along with pre-registration worksheets. Please submit completed worksheets with the courses you would like to take via email to spa.advisement@baruch.cuny.edu or via fax to 646-660-6751 prior to your Orientation date and the Office of Student Affairs will register you for these courses. During Orientation, you will receive confirmation of your registered courses and be provided with an opportunity to pay your semester bill. Please remember that you will not be permitted to pre-register without satisfying the immunization requirement and your RSVP for an Orientation meeting.

Transferring Credits

All students who would like to transfer credits to Baruch from other institutions will need to provide the Office of Student Advisement, with syllabi, reading lists, and course descriptions for each course they would like us to consider, along with an official transcript. If you are planning to transfer any credits, we suggest you contact us as soon as possible to avoid mistakes in your registration.