Special Admissions Options

• Deferred Admissions
• College Credit by Examination
• Educational Opportunity Program
• The Honors Program
• NY Science Teacher Certification Program
• Pre-professional Advising

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Deferred Admissions

Students accepted to ESF who wish to defer their enrollment for one or two semesters beyond their original entry date must make this request in writing directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Those students will receive written notification if their request has been approved.

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College Credit by Examination

ESF will consider granting college credit based on a student’s score on the College Entrance Examination Board's Advanced Placement (AP) or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams. Further information is available from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

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Educational Opportunity Program

ESF and the State University of New York recognizes that providing access to an educational opportunity for all state residents means being sensitive to the educational needs of people with varying social, cultural, educational, and economic backgrounds.

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is an academic and financial support program offered at ESF, and other SUNY campuses, to provide a college education for capable students who have not had the same opportunities as other students to realize their academic potential because of limited financial resources and inadequate academic preparation. The program is not designed for students who need only financial assistance.

The basic goal of the EOP program at ESF is to provide qualified students with a college education and the opportunity for personal growth and professional development. Counseling, financial assistance, and tutoring are provided on an individual basis.

To qualify, students must be New York State residents and demonstrate the potential to successfully complete a course of study at ESF.

High school seniors who want to apply for freshman enrollment and EOP status at the College must file a SUNY application form with their high school guidance counselor, and indicate they want to be considered for EOP. In addition, they must submit a copy of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) directly to the Financial Aid Office at ESF.

In order for transfer students to participate in the program at ESF, they must have been enrolled in an EOP, Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) or Search for Education Elevation and Knowledge (SEEK) program at their prior college. Therefore, students who are applying to ESF as high school seniors through the guaranteed transfer admissions option, should also apply for EOP, HEOP or SEEK at their lower division college, and must enroll in such a program in order to continue in EOP at ESF.

For further information, contact the Director of the Educational Opportunity Program at the College at 315-470-6670 or email us at finaid@esf.edu.

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The Honors Program

For information about the ESF Honors Program visit the Honors Program website.

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Science Teacher Certification

ESF and the School of Education at Syracuse University offer qualified undergraduate students an opportunity to prepare for initial New York state teacher certification in biology or chemistry, and general science. This opportunity is available through the following ESF programs: chemistry (leading to initial certification in chemistry in grades 7-12 and general science in grades 7-9); and environmental biology (leading to initial certification in biology in grades 7-12 and general science in grades 7-9).

Students who earned at least a 3.000 grade point average during their first semester at ESF and transfer students who maintained a 3.000 or greater cumulative grade point average at their previous college are eligible for the program. Students who are interested in pursuing this opportunity should contact the Assistant Dean of Instruction and Graduate Studies at ESF for application materials.

Academic Requirements
Students must complete all requirements for their academic program as listed in this catalog including:

• At least 24 credits of science in the primary certification area, at least 15 credits in a second science area, and at least six credits in each of the two remaining science areas.
  • The recognized science areas are: biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics.
• One year of college-level foreign language study, or its equivalent established through appropriate high school study and/or testing.
• An appropriate computer-use course.
• A formal experience (credit or noncredit) tutoring or mentoring children, adolescents or adults.
• Registration in SED 340 Participation in the Professional Development School (0-1), also known as "The Academy", each semester.
• Completion of six credits of literacy course work.
• Two-hour New York State Seminars in the following areas:
  • Violence Prevention and Intervention
  • Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting
  • Child Abduction Prevention
  • Highway Safety and Traffic Regulations and School Safety Patrols Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Abuse Fire and Arson Prevention In addition, students are required to complete the following Syracuse University professional education core courses:
• EDU 204 Principles of Learning in Inclusive Classrooms (4)
• EDU 304 Study of Teaching (4) Prerequisite: EDU 204 or equivalent.
• EDU 310 The American School (3)
• Candidacy Semester (Spring only): Prerequisites include: a minimum 2.8 cumulative average and average in both required education and science courses; Completion of EDU 204 and 304, and an appropriate number of science credits; successful review of the professional portfolio by The Academy.
• SED 409 Adapting Instruction for Diverse Student Needs (co-requisite: SED 413) (3)
• SED 413 Methods and Curriculum in Teaching (co-requisite: SED 409) (3)
• EDU 508 Student Teaching/Secondary Candidacy (3)

Standard Student Teaching Semester (Fall only)
Prerequisites include: a minimum 2.8 cumulative average and average in both required education and science courses; successful completion of the candidacy semester and approval by The Academy; at least 18 credits in the primary science area; and successful completion of the first professional semester.

• EDU 508 Student Teaching/Science (co-requisite: SED 415) (9)
• SED 415 Teacher Development/Science (co-requisite: EDU 508) (3)
• RED 326 Literacy Across the Curriculum (4)

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Pre-Professional Advising

The College, through Syracuse University, offers preprofessional advising for students interested in careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, and law (Pre-law website).

Although some colleges of medicine and dentistry no longer require extensive background coursework in biology, most require a full-year course in general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. Calculus is also required in many cases. In addition to the general science background, colleges of veterinary medicine require coursework in bacteriology or microbiology, and at least one summer of practical experience in the management of poultry, pigs, cattle, or horses.

Regardless of the specific prerequisites of a school of medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine, coursework available at ESF has proven to be valuable to applicants to those professional programs.

All students applying to medical school are encouraged to form a pre-med advisory committee, which can provide letters of recommendation to the schools. The director of Syracuse University’s Health Professions Advising Program can be reached at 329 Hall of Languages, (315) 443-2207.

For more information, see ESF’s Career Guide Handbook for Biologists, or contact the Office of Career and Counseling Services at (315) 470-6660 or e-mail Tom Slocum.