SUNY Poly students enjoy a public school tuition with small class sizes, individualized learning experiences, and a tight-knit community.
Our Campus
SUNY Polytechnic Institute, New York’s premier public polytechnic, provides an innovative and affordable higher education for students interested in science, engineering, technology, business, healthcare, and other liberal arts offerings for a well-rounded approach to experiential learning. Our commitment to a hands-on education situates students with both the academic structure customary of an advanced degree and unique opportunities for training and cutting-edge research, ultimately providing learners an unmatched education targeted for success in our fast-changing world.
Our Colleges
• College of Arts + Sciences
• College of Business
• College of Engineering
• College of Health Sciences
Our International Community
Join a growing community of international student scholars hailing from over 25 countries including Brazil, India, Nepal, Japan, Ghana, Morocco, the United Kingdom, and more.
SUNY POLY GRADUATE FAST FACTS
Greetings from SUNY Polytechnic Institute!
Are you ready for a vigorous, highly rewarding education that immerses you in hands-on learning? Gain the skills you need to achieve success in competitive job markets–all while you create unforgettable memories and make the connections for a lifetime of opportunities. SUNY Polytechnic Institute allows you the opportunity to tailor your experience to achieve your personal and professional goals! With three F-1 Visa Eligible programs, unbeatable tuition scholarships, and fantastic student employment opportunities, a SUNY Poly education prepares our graduates for rewarding, 21st century careers. As the International Admissions Advisor, I’m here to guide you through the application and enrollment processes to help you jumpstart your path to Poly.
— Willjavian Dawson, ’12 International Admissions Advisor
F-1 Visa Eligible Programs
Computer Science (MS)
Cybersecurity (MS)
Data Science + Analytics (MS)
International Admissions
100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
+1 (315) 792-7219 international@sunypoly.edu
A Historic $48 Million Investment in SUNY Poly
New York State’s recent investments in SUNY Poly’s workforce development initiatives, including the establishment of state-of-the-art facilities like the Semiconductor Processing and Packaging Lab, Healthcare Innovation Lab, and the Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education Lab, ensure students graduate with the skills and experience needed for success in today’s competitive job market. What does that mean for your future as a SUNY Poly Wildcat?
• New, state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to prepare students to be competitive in healthcare, semiconductor processing, robotics, and advanced manufacturing and engineering
• Access to existing and reinvigorated partnerships with industry leaders in the Mohawk Valley (MVHS/Wynn Hospital, Wolfspeed, Indium, Danfoss, and more!)
• Ongoing commitment to an affordable and accessible premier public polytechnic education defined by hands-on learning
Billable Tuition + Fees
Non-billable, estimated costs include:
• Housing + Food: $3,150 per semester
• Books + Supplies: $700 per semester
Funding + Scholarships
The Best Education. The Best Value. SUNY Polytechnic Institute offers various opportunities to support students’ pursuit of an advanced degree.
International Merit Scholarship
International graduate applicants are considered for a competitive merit-based scholarship award. Awards are offered at varying levels and are based on a review of academic performance. These partial tuition scholarships are applied to the total cost of two semesters of full-time study.
SUNY Poly awards International Merit Scholarships on a tiered model. Awards range from $5,000 to $8,000.
$5,000 total award ($2,500 per semester)
• Academic Credential: 60% - 64%
$6,000 total award ($3,000 per semester)
• Academic Credential: 65% - 69% or 3.00 - 3.24
$7,000 total award ($3,500 per semester)
• Academic Credential: 70% - 79% or 3.25 - 3.49
$8,000 total award ($4,000 per semester)
• Academic Credential: 80% - 89% or 3.50 - 3.74
$9,000 total award ($4,500 per semester)
• Academic Credential: 90% - 100% or 3.75 - 4.00
Each of these partial tuition scholarships is eligible for up-to two semesters of full-time study.
Graduate Assistantships
A variety of graduate assistantship positions are available each semester to support SUNY Poly’s faculty. They include serving as a research, teaching, or lab assistant. Returning full-time graduate students are eligible to apply for these positions to support their second or third semester of study.
Compensation is a stipend and the number of hours and stipend amount vary by position.
Student Assistantships
All SUNY Poly students are invited to apply for on-campus employment in various campus offices. Compensation and required hours vary by position.
We are proud to be consistently ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a top Best Value School in the Regional Universities North category and ranked as a Best Value University for International Students by Study Abroad Aide.
WILDCAT CAREERS
All of SUNY Poly's programs eligible for F-1 visa sponsorship are also eligible for CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT.
Curricular Practical Training
(CPT)
CPT is an alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education or other type of required internship or practicum.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (precompletion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion).
Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT)
F-1 students who receive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT).
All three of SUNY Poly's F-1 Visa Eligible Programs are also eligible for STEM OPT.
• Computer Science (MS)
• Cybersecurity (MS)
• Data Science + Analytics (MS)
Our International Student Services Office is committed to helping matriculated international students navigate CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT opportunities.
Career Services
In addition to the International Student Services team, SUNY Poly’s Office of Career Services will help you every step of the way, from finding internship opportunities to applying for your dream position. Students have access to:
• Handshake, the largest online career community
• Career fairs
• Mock interviews
• Resumé and cover letter writing assistance
• Help with landing internships and securing employment
sunypoly.edu/career-services
“SUNY Poly has a great infrastructure. It has provided me with many opportunities to grow and explore my skills. I have always found a positive and healthy environment, and the professors are highly skilled and supportive. I am thankful for... continued support and guidance to each student during their visa processing, initial stay, and OPT/ STEM applications.”
Nishitha Aluri, MS Computer Science
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES
SUNY Polytechnic Institute is committed to supporting a seamless transition for international students to both the university setting and to the United States. The International Student Services Office (ISS) provides and coordinates many services to help students adjust to campus life including the New Student Orientation, programs and events, support with cultural adjustment, and more. sunypoly.edu/iss
ISS helps students with:
• Getting to campus
• Immigration and visa advising
• Transitioning to life in the United States
• Adjusting to life at SUNY Poly
• Navigating issues of food and resource insecurity
• Hosting social events and meet-and-greets with international and domestic students
• Advising the International Student Association
• Connecting with SUNY Poly’s 30+ clubs
• Assisting with OPT, CPT, and employment
UTICA BEGINS
Explore Utica and Beyond
Utica, the tenth most populous city in New York State, is home to 64,000 residents who speak over 40 languages. Your time as a student at SUNY Poly is enhanced by engaging in the festivals, arts, athletic events, and culture that are core to the city’s identity. Situated at the center of the state, Utica is just hours away from New York City and accessible by plane, train, or bus. An array of housing accommodations and diverse cuisine make Utica a premier destination for students, professionals, and families.
Lofts + Apartment Complexes
International students enjoy a variety of off-campus housing throughout the City of Utica. Some include:
• Candlewyck Apartments (7 minutes)
• Lofts at Globe Mill (7 minutes)
• The Doyle (7 minutes)
Restaurants + Local Cuisine
• Tavolo Italian Restaurant (5 minutes)
• Island Breeze Jamaican Cuisine (6 minutes)
• Minar Fine Indian Cuisine (8 minutes)
• Mitsuba Sushi (11 minutes)
• Pho Mekong House of Noodles (7 minutes)
• Phoenician (8 minutes)
• Sabor Latino (7 minutes)
• S ymeon’s Greek Restaurant (10 minutes)
• Utica Coffee Roasting Co. (7 minutes)
Transportation AIRPORTS
• Hancock International Airport Syracuse, NY (1 hour)
• Albany International Airport A lbany, NY (1.5 hours)
• L aGuardia International Airport New York City (4 hours)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport New York City (4 hours)
BUS + TRAIN SERVICES
• Centro City Bus ($1/ride) (1 minute)
• Union Station (Bus + Train) (7 minutes)
RIDESHARE
• Uber + Lyft
WITH you!
Sports, Culture, + Shopping
Located at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, the largest National Historic Landmark in the United States, Utica is a hub for adventure. From cuisine to shopping, nature to sporting events, and the luxury of experiencing four beautiful, distinct seasons, new experiences await you.
The MS in Computer Science program is designed for students seeking a quality education in preparation for employment, career advancement, or further graduate study in this rapidly developing field. It provides students a strong theoretical and application-oriented education, coupled with a specialization in software engineering, systems and architectures, algorithms and theory, and/or artificial intelligence and modeling. *This program is eligible for both spring and fall entry
Our Faculty
SUNY Poly Computer Science faculty work closely with students and challenge them to excel. Many have industry experience in addition to strong academic backgrounds, affording unique experiences for students inside the classroom and exciting opportunities professionally and in research. Recent research areas of the department’s faculty include:
• Artificial intelligence
• Augmented reality
• Blockchain technology
• Computer architecture
• Computer vision
• Deep learning
• Facial expression analysis
• High performance computing
• Linux kernel programming
• Medical imaging analysis
• Mobile technologies
• Network and communication technologies
• Parallel and distributed systems
• Postquantum cryptography
• Programming competition design
• Quantum computation models and complexity
• Quantum computing algorithms
• Real-time and embedded systems
• Stochastic optimization
• Virtual machine development
• Virtual reality
• Web interfaces
Career Opportunities
The MS in Computer Science allows students to advance their careers and increase their depth of understanding in this dynamic and growing field that continues to expand its influence in all corners of modern life and industry. Our graduates are equally successful in the workforce and in doctoral programs and go on to rewarding careers in the field with job titles such as:
• Research Engineer
• Senior Programmer
• Senior Software Engineer
• Systems Administrator
• Systems Engineer
• Technical Consultant
Some of the companies our graduates have joined include:
• Assured Information Security
• BAE Systems
• Booz Allen
• CACI
• Hamilton
• Intel
• ITT Industries
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Samsung Mobile
Degree Requirements
The MS in Computer Science consists of 33 credit hours.
Area Courses (12 credit hours)
Complete one course in each of the four areas:
• Software Engineering
• Systems & Architectures
• Algorithms & Theory
• Artificial Intelligence & Modeling
Depth Courses (9-12 credit hours)
Complete two additional courses from one of the four areas one additional course from a different area. Note: A fourth course from any area is required if a project is elected instead of a thesis.
General Electives (6 credit hours)
Select two graduate elective courses that align with your area of interest with support from an academic advisor.
Thesis/Project (3-6 credit hours)
Choose one
• CS 598 Project (3 credits)
• CS 599 Thesis (6 credits)
Admission Requirements
To be admissible to the MS in Computer Science, candidates must:
• Generally have academic credentials that are the U.S. equivalent of a B or better (a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or 60% minimum academic credential)
• Submit a GRE score of 153 quantitative and 140 verbal (the SUNY Poly institution code for score reporting is 2896)
GRE Waiver Available
• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college in computer science or information technology
• Demonstrate an academic background in:
• Calculus
• Computer organization (machine structures)
• Data structures
• Discrete mathematics
• Object-oriented programming
• Probability or statistics
“As a student of SUNY Poly in the MS in Computer Science program, I gained both the skills and confidence to thoughtfully use a variety of logical approaches in my work. The courses in computer science, parallel computing, software engineering, and databases were tremendous assets and are approaches I use regularly. The instructors in each study were patient, understanding, and highly skilled. I would highly recommend this program to anyone wanting to expand their programming language or for anyone who needs a refresher on software engineering.”
— V ineeth Reddy Bandela Hyderabad, Telangana India M S Computer Science
Master of Science in Cybersecurity
The MS in Cybersecurity offers students a cutting-edge curriculum in the field of cybersecurity. The program has been developed in conjunction with local experts in both industry and government, and provides students with a rigorous foundation of coursework that prepares them for management and technical positions in the fields of cyber security research and IT security management. *This program is eligible for fall entry only.
Lab Facilities
Multiple lab facilities, including the Newman Cybersecurity Lab, Cisco lab, and the Advanced Cybersecurity Research Lab (ACRL) provide cybersecurity students with access to networking and computer resources used for both in-class lab sessions and individual projects. Eight “pods” provide students with their own “branch office” that can be configured and secured within the closed lab environment. Each pod contains a switch (Cisco Catalyst 2960), router (Cisco ISR 1921), firewall (Cisco 5505 ASA), wireless access point (Cisco Aironet model AIR-AP1142N), IP phone (Digium D40), and Linux host PC.
The Cybersecurity department is actively developing an advanced Cyber range lab that will offer the most realistic hands-on, indepth labs on the cybersecurity market that emulate enterprise environments.
Career Opportunities
Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand throughout industry and government sectors, including Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Assured Information Security (AIS), BNY Mellon, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Dell SecureWorks. SUNY Poly alumni have job titles such as:
• Information Security and Risk Specialist
• Information Technology Support Specialist
• Network Engineer
• Principle Security Analyst
• Security Researcher
• Security Engineer
• Software Security Analyst
• Systems Engineer
Recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data suggests 32% growth in cybersecurityrelated careers by 2032 accompanied by solid, six-figure career earnings.
Degree Requirements
The MS in Cybersecurity consists of 33 credit hours.
Core Courses (18 credit hours)
• NCS 511 Information Assurance Fundamentals
• NCS 521 Data Communications
• NCS 531 Computer Security
• NCS 541 Network Security
• NCS 543 Secure Protocols
• NCS 598 Research Methods
Technical Electives (9-12 credit hours)
Select two technical elective courses that align with your area of interest with support from an academic advisor.
Thesis/Project (3-6 credit hours)
Choose One
• NCS 597 Research Project (3 credits)
• NCS 599 Thesis Research (6 credits)
“Several of my classes were tied to real world examples from my career, such as exploring case studies which provided valuable insight into the technical details and financial models used for decision-making. The Linux, security, and the research methods courses helped me better prepare for the US job market.”
—Nikhil Mohod MS Cybersecurity
Admission Requirements
To be admissible to the MS in Cybersecurity, candidates must:
• Generally have academic credentials that are the U.S. equivalent of a B or better (a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or 60% academic credential)
• Submit a GRE score of 153 quantitative and 140 verbal (the SUNY Poly institution code for score reporting is 2896)
GRE Waiver Available
• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college in cybersecurity, network and computer security, computer science or systems, electrical engineering, or a related field
• Demonstrate an academic background in:
• Calculus
• Computing Fundamentals
• Computer Organization
• Discrete Math
• Networking of Information Systems
• Statistics
• UNIX/Linux Programming
Alumni Spotlight
"SUNY Poly's welldesigned courses and highly-qualified industry experts and professors enriched my educational experience.
The Cybersecurity Club, hackathons, and weekly meetings provided a vibrant learning environment. I had the privilege of working as a GA/TA for two semesters and greatly benefitted from the guidance of my professors. Their mentorship was instrumental in my academic and professional success. During my studies, I completed an internship at OMNI Surgery Center, which provided me with valuable hands-on experience. I am grateful for the opportunities and support I received at SUNY Poly, which were pivotal in achieving my academic and career goals."
Tauhidul Khandaker
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh MS in Cybersecurity
productive contributors in many professions dealing with complex data, in particular those that relate to the ethical collection, exploration and preparation of multi-modal data, the design of analytics models to extract knowledge from data, and the effective communication of data analysis results to decision-making constituencies. *This program is eligible for both spring and fall entry
Our Faculty
The MS DSA draws upon SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s outstanding academic talent in computer science, mathematics, social and behavioral sciences, biology, communications, business management, nanoscale engineering, nanoscale science, and health sciences and nursing. MS DSA students have the opportunity to interact and work with faculty of diverse research and teaching interests.
Career Opportunities
In today’s data-driven world, the ability to effectively analyze and interpret data is essential for professionals in almost every industry. The MS DSA is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this rapidly growing field. Graduates will learn the latest tools and technologies to analyze large and complex data sets, preparing them for a diverse range of career paths, such as:
• Applications Architects
• Data Analysts
• Data Engineers
• Database Administrators
• Machine Learning Engineers
• Market Research Experts
• Risk Management Professionals
• Statisticians
Recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data suggests a much faster-than-average growth in job outlook and solid career earnings in this field. With such a high demand for data professionals and the potential for lucrative careers, studying data analytics can be a wise investment decision for your future.
Degree Requirements
The MS DSA program is interdisciplinary, consisting of six required core courses, four elective courses chosen across specialization offerings from several academic departments, and a capstone experience (internship, project, or thesis).
Students may choose to select four courses that fall within one specialization, or pick and choose courses across different specializations. Elective courses will be selected with the assistance of an academic advisor.
Specializations include:
• Biology
• Business Analytics
• Computer Science
• Design and Digital Humanities
• Health Informatics
• Mathematics
• Social and Crime Analytics
Final Required Capstone: 3 Credits Choose One
• DSA 597 Internship
• DSA 598 Project
• DSA 599 Thesis
Admission Requirements
To be admissible to the MS in Data Science + Analytics, candidates must:
• Generally have academic credentials that are the U.S. equivalent of a B or better (a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or 60% minimum academic credential)
• Submit a GRE score of 153 quantitative and 140 verbal (the SUNY Poly institution code for score reporting is 2896)
GRE Waiver Available
• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college
• Demonstrate an academic background in:
• Basic calculus
• Introductory computer programming
• Matrix Methods/Linear Algebra
• Statistics
START YOUR SUNY POLY JOURNEY
Important Application Dates + Deadlines
The team in the Office of International Admissions is here to support you through your application process and beyond!
Spring Start
Nov 1
Application Deadline
Programs Eligible for F-1 Visa Enrollment:
• Computer Science (MS)
• Data Science + Analytics (MS)
Note:
Fall Start
July 1 Application Deadline
Programs Eligible for F-1 Visa Enrollment:
• C omputer Science (MS)
• Cybersecurity (MS)
• Data Science + Analytics (MS)
• Applications open 10 months in advance of the semester you wish to enroll.
• A mandatory International New Student Orientation program takes place the week before classes begin. All new international students are expected to participate the semester that they matriculate.
English Language Proficiency Requirement
Applicants to SUNY Poly must demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving the minimum score noted below from one of the following standardized exams:
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Internet based score of 79
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Overall band score of 6.5
• PTE Academic (PTE): Overall score of 53
• Duolingo English Test (DET): Total score of 105
• iTEP: Overall score of 4.4
Students who have earned an associate or bachelor's degree from an accredited college in the U.S. are exempt from the English Proficiency requirement. Students may be exempt from the English Proficiency requirement if their native language is English.
Your native language is English if you are a citizen of one of the following countries:
