Academic Programs and Options

Registered Programs

The College of Saint Rose is approved by the New York State Education Department to offer the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Business Administration, the Bachelor of Science, the Master of Science, the Master of Science in Education, Certificates and Advanced Certificates, and programs leading to professional licensure, certification, teacher certification. Enrollment in other than registered or otherwise approved programs may jeopardize a student's eligibility for certain student aid awards.

Accelerated Degree Options

The Accelerated Degree Options are developed by faculty by creating purposeful shared combinations of undergraduate and graduate credits and courses. These options combine an undergraduate program with a graduate program and allow a student to share up to 18 credits between the bachelor’s and master’s degree but not to exceed more than half of the total graduate credits required of the master’s degree. Students enrolled in an Accelerated Degree Option are awarded each degree separately after completing the requirements for that degree. The Accelerated Degree Options allow undergraduate students to have early acceptance to master’s programs and allows the student to begin graduate courses while enrolled in their bachelor’s degree program.

For more information about each program, including specific admissions requirements, please click the links below.

Business Administration BS + Business Administration MBA

Communication Sciences & Disorders BS + Communication Sciences & Disorders MSED

Communications BA + Business Administration MBA

Computer Science BS + Business Administration MBA

Computer Science BS + Computer Science MS

Criminal Justice, Behavior & Law BS + Business Administration MBA:

Cybersecurity BS + Business Administration MBA

Cybersecurity BS + Computer Science MS

English BA + Business Administration MBA

Finance BBA + Business Administration MBA

Finance BS + Business Administration MBA

Management BBA + Business Administration MBA 

Marketing BBA + Business Administration MBA

Music Business BBA + Business Administration MBA

Political Science BA + Business Administration MBA

Psychology BA + Business Administration MBA

Psychology BS + Clinical Mental Health Counseling MSED

Psychology BS + School Psychology MSED+CAS

Sales Management BBA + Business Administration MBA

Exploratory Program

In the Exploratory Program, first-year students join with other students who wish to pursue the full spectrum of their personal and intellectual interests. The Exploratory Program exposes students to many areas of study while also emphasizing self-inquiry, writing, critical thinking, and other skills and habits of mind instrumental to academic success.  

All Exploratory students are enrolled in EXY 100 – Explorations during their first semester. This course is designed to give them the tools and information they need to make an informed decision about their major. Students are actively encouraged to select a major by the end of their first year. Bachelor’s degrees are not awarded in the Exploratory Program. The Office of Academic Advising, (518) 454-5217, assists students with exploring their options or declaring their majors. A designated Exploratory Program advisor works with all Exploratory Students.

Declaration of a Major

All students at The College of Saint Rose must declare an academic major once they have accumulated 60 credits. Majors can be declared at any time prior to completion of 60 credits, but must be officially recorded by the time the student has accumulated 60 credits. To declare a major, students must complete the Change-of-Major form, which can be obtained from the Office of Academic Advising (Room 337, Saint Joseph Hall, 3rd floor).  Please note: if declaring a major in Education or Communication Sciences & Disorders, students must fill out a Change-of-Major form in the Field Placement and Advising Office (Room 144, Lally School of Education).

Double Majors

Students who complete all major requirements for a second major have this fact recorded on their transcripts. Students who pursue a double major are awarded either the B.A. or B.S. degree. Where either degree might be awarded, it is the student’s decision to select the degree most suited to his/her purpose.

Academic Minors

The College offers the option of academic minors in a variety of disciplines. Academic minors provide students with a prescribed group of courses that can add a special dimension to the major. A minor may also allow students an opportunity to pursue a personal interest or passion unrelated to the major. A minor can encourage a student to organize electives into a significant collection of coursework that can provide academic or pre-professional support for graduate work or employment.

• A minor consists of a minimum of 18 credits.
• Students may elect minors outside of the discipline in which they are majoring.
• Students may elect up to two (2) minors.
• Minors are declared by filling out a form in the Office of Academic Advisement.
• Students follow the minor requirements in the catalog under which they enter (students must follow the same catalog for both major and minor requirements).
• Students self-advise for the minor using the catalog, DegreeWorks and/or with assistance from the Office of Academic Advisement.
• Requirements for the declared minor must be completed by the time of graduation (students may not finish a minor after graduation).
• For successful completion of the minor, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the minor.
• A maximum of two courses (6-8 credits) for the minor may be equivalent transferred courses or taken pass/fail up to the discretion of the department. Transfer courses and courses taken pass/fail carry no quality points.
• Minors will be recorded on the student’s academic transcript.
• All matters related to a minor fall within the purview of the academic department(s) within which the minor resides.
• Students may use courses from the major (or liberal education) to fulfill minor requirements up to the discretion of the department(s).

3+3 Program in Law

The College offers a special program, in conjunction with Albany Law School, Pace University Law School, and Western New England University Law School which facilitates the completion of both an undergraduate degree and the J.D. degree within a six-year period. Undergraduate transfer credit policy will be followed for the purpose of accepting credit from these institutions in completing the undergraduate degree. Students must submit an official transcript from their Law School to The College of Saint Rose after their first year. This program is open to selected students earning an undergraduate degree in the following majors: Communications; Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law; English; History; History & Political Science; Interdepartmental Studies; Political Science; Psychology. Students interested in pursuing this program should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Clinical Programs

Clinical Programs in Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy

The College of Saint Rose and The Sage Colleges have developed a collaborative agreement to provide qualified Saint Rose students who wish to pursue a M.S. degree in Occupational Therapy (OT) or a Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from Sage Graduate School early acceptance contingent upon the successful completion of prerequisite courses in the program as well as evaluation by the clinical affiliates and The College of Saint Rose.

Clinical Program in Applied Nutrition

The College of Saint Rose and The Sage Colleges have developed a collaborative agreement to provide qualified Saint Rose students who wish to pursue a M.S. degree in Applied Nutrition from Sage Graduate School early acceptance contingent upon the successful completion of prerequisite courses in the program as well as evaluation by the clinical affiliates and The College of Saint Rose.

For more detailed information about any of these pre-health programs, including program prerequisites and application requirements and deadlines, students should visit the Saint Rose website at www.strose.edu, and contact the appropriate advisor at The College of Saint Rose.

Contact Person: Brian Jensen, Ph.D.

OT, PT, and Nutrition Programs

The College of Saint Rose

432 Western Avenue

Albany, NY 12203

(518) 454-5274

jensenb@strose.edu

Pre-Law

The training of lawyers is the function of the nation’s law schools, and inasmuch as those schools do not recommend any particular major as the single “best” preparation for law school, the College does not offer an established “pre-law” major. However, a designated member of the faculty assists students interested in a law career by suggesting those courses best suited to the development of the basic skills and insight needed for law school in conjunction with advice from the student’s major advisor. Such courses prepare students for the academic challenges of a legal education and for the needs and responsibilities facing practicing attorneys.

Contact Person:

Dr. Alfred D. Chapleau M.A., J.D.

Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Behavior & Law

The College of Saint Rose

432 Western Avenue

Albany, NY 12203

(518) 454-2863

achaplea@strose.edu

Pre-Medical/Pre-Dentistry/Pre-Veterinary Medicine/Pre-Health-related Profession

Faculty members at The College of Saint Rose help to ensure that students who want to go to medical or other health related schools have the advice, course work, and support they need to help them prepare an effective application. At Saint Rose, these students are guided by a committee of six faculty members who are dedicated to keeping students on track for medical or other health related schools. All students interested in health related fields should take advantage of the services offered by the Pre-Medical Advisory Committee.

Composition of the Committee

The Pre-Medical Advisory Committee includes four faculty members from the Sciences, one Psychology department faculty member, and one faculty member from Arts or Humanities.

Course Work

Students in the Saint Rose pre-medical advisory program must submit completed evaluation forms (obtained from the Committee chair—currently, Dr. Becky Landsberg) for each of the following:

• Two Biology courses
• Biochemistry
• Two English courses
• MAT 190 Calculus (MAT 191 recommended)
• MAT 195 Statistics
• PHY 190 and PHY 191 Fundamentals of Physics 1 and 2
• Four Chemistry courses (including one in General Chemistry and one in Organic Chemistry)
• PSY 110 Foundations of Psychology I
• SOC 111 Intro to Sociology
• PHI /RLS 102 Ethics and Values and PHI 381 Bioethics (or similar course)

Credential Review

Each spring semester, the Pre-Medical Advisory Committee offers an optional review of each pre-medical student’s progress by examining individual academic progress reports and performance in core courses (listed above). Qualified students receive the Committee’s written recommendations and advice to resolve any problems and to promote strong academic performance.

Mock Medical School Interviews

As a part of the ongoing evaluation and support process, the Committee offers each pre-medical student an opportunity to participate in mock interviews designed to prepare students for this important part of the medical school application process.

Letters of Recommendation

In the fall of the senior year, the members of the Pre-Medical Advisory Committee conduct a thorough evaluation of the pre-medical student’s performance and subsequently compose a Committee letter of evaluation to support the qualified student’s applications to medical school. Students must also solicit letters of recommendation from individual faculty members who have taught them during their undergraduate program.

Additional Activities

Because entrance to medical school is highly competitive, we advise our pre-medical students to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities to enhance their medical school application packages. Many pre-medical students prepare for the required Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) by supplementing the strong instruction we offer in core courses with an MCAT preparatory course. The Pre-Medical Advisory Committee also encourages students to attend our monthly Science Colloquium Series on current issues in science. Pre-medical students are further advised to participate in the many opportunities we offer for undergraduate research and to engage in volunteer and service-learning activities that bring science and medicine to life. Many pre-medical students choose to pursue internships in a variety of exciting clinical and professional settings. In addition, medical professionals are regularly invited to visit with and answer questions from our pre-health students.

Contact Person:

Becky Landsberg, Ph.D.

Pre-Medical Advisory Committee Chair

The College of Saint Rose

432 Western Avenue

Albany, NY 12203

(518) 454-2868

landsber@strose.edu

Pre-Physician Assistant (PA) Track

Students opting this track gain coursework and experience necessary to be competitive for applying to become a physician assistant. No specific undergraduate major is required. However, a major in Biology or Biochemistry combined with field specific courses is strongly recommended.

Students pursuing this track should contact the Pre-Health professional advisor for guidance and support.

Coursework required for application to PA programs include:
2 Semesters General Chemistry (CHE 190/CHE 191)
2 Semesters Organic Chemistry (CHE 201/CHE 202)
2 Semesters Intro to Biology (BIO 190/BIO 191)
2 Semesters Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 199/BIO 200)
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 110)
English Composition (ENG 105)

Additional coursework required by specific programs could include:
Microbiology (BIO 350)
Biochemistry (BIO 307)
Genetics (BIO 258)
Statistics (MAT 184)

Most PA programs require applications to have 500-1000 hours of patient contact experience prior to matriculation in their program. The exact number of hours required varies by school. Patient contact hours can be obtained through numerous different routes including but not limited to:
• Medical assistant
• Emergency medical technician (EMT)
• Paramedic
• Medic or medical corpsman
• Lab assistant/phlebotomist

By the end of the sophomore year it is strongly suggested that students identify PA programs they would like to apply to and look up their specific course and contact hour requirements.

Programs commonly attended by Saint Rose graduates include Albany Medical College, Marist, Clarkson, Lemoyne, and SUNY Stonybrook.

ROTC Program

The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is designed to recruit, educate, and commission officer candidates as the miltary’s future leaders through college campus programs around the country.

The College of Saint Rose offers Army ROTC Leadership courses on campus. At the present time, physical training sessions, held three times a week, are located at nearby campuses. All students are able to participate in the Army ROTC Leadership Basic Course (RTC 100, RTC 110, RTC 200, RTC 210) held on campus, regardless of whether they join ROTC. 

The College of Saint Rose is also home to Air Force ROTC cadets who attend classes at nearby host institutions through a crosstown agreement.

The ROTC program may be pursued in conjunction with any academic major offered at The College of Saint Rose. Completion of the Advanced Course qualifies graduates to receive an officer’s commission concurrent with the baccalaureate degree and does not necessarily interfere with subsequent graduate or professional studies.

ROTC Coursework

The purpose of the courses offered by the Military Leadership Department are to train quality college students to become the future leaders of the United States Army and the civilian community. The course of study is divided into two parts—the first two years (Basic Course) and the last two years (Advanced Course). Students incur no military obligation while enrolled in the Basic Course and may withdraw from the course at their option. Selection for the Advanced Course is competitive. Students selected for the Advanced Course participate on a contractual basis. Emphasis of the Advanced Course is on applied, individual leadership development, and exposure of the student to military management systems and techniques.

A student may satisfy requirements for application to the Advanced Course in pursuit of a commission in one of three ways:

(1) Completion of the first two years (Basic Course) allows a student to earn four academic credits towards graduation while qualifying for the Advanced Course. The student is expected to attend one hour of classroom instruction during the Basic Course.

(2) Students may also qualify for entrance into the Advanced Course by selection to the four-week Leadership Training Course (LTC) held the summer between their sophomore and junior year at Fort Knox, KY. Qualified students may compete for two-year scholarships while attending the summer Leadership Training Course. Students may elect to enter the Advanced Course upon successful completion of LTC. All expenses to attend the course are fully funded by the military. Attendance at the summer Basic Camp does not obligate the student to enroll in ROTC unless they are awarded and accept a scholarship.

(3) Students with Junior ROTC, Senior ROTC, service academy experience, or prior military service may also qualify to enter the Advanced Course.

All students accepted into the Advanced Course must attend the Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) during the summer after their junior year. The purpose of LDAC is to evaluate the leadership potential of officer candidates who wish to pursue a commission in the United States Army. This four week course builds upon the skills and methods taught in the junior year.

During the senior year, the student has the option of applying for one of two types of commissions. The first type, a Reserve Forces Duty commission as a citizen Soldier with the Reserve Forces, is for graduates wishing to serve in the US Army Reserve or US Army National Guard, while pursuing a civilian occupation. The second option enables graduates to go on active duty, as a Second Lieutenant in their assigned military specialty. Laboratories offered focus on the application of leadership methods and techniques that are taught in the classroom. Some are scheduled on weekdays and some on weekends, and they are typically conducted at off-site locations.

Laboratories also stress adventure and outdoor activity as a means to build personal confidence. This is an optional activity for students who are not pursuing a commission. Labs are mandatory for students in the Advanced Course and for those who are receiving scholarship benefits.

Exciting internships are offered to enrolled sophomores and juniors who qualify. These internships offer students the ability to become certified in skills taught by U.S. Army Schools. Some of these skills are parachutist certification, rappelling certification and outdoor survival certification. Other internships include foreign language programs in other countries and the opportunity to serve in multiple career fields found in the United States Army as junior leaders. There are a variety of programs that also compensate students for demonstrated academic proficiency in certain languages.

ROTC Scholarships

ROTC scholarships are awarded based on a student’s merit and grades. Students who want to compete for Army ROTC or Air Force ROTC scholarships must: be a full-time college student (at least 12 credits), have a GPA of at least 2.50, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and pass the physical fitness test.

For more information about our ROTC program, please contact:

The College of Saint Rose Veteran Center

518-458-5364

veterans@strose.edu

Jonathan Ryal, Army ROTC Recruiter, Mohawk Battalion

ryalj@strose.edu

Study Abroad Experiences

Students who are interested in studying abroad can choose from a variety of experiences: Faculty Led Programs, Semester/Year Long Study, and Summer Sessions. Please refer to the Center for International Programs website for a list of all study abroad opportunities offered in upcoming semesters.

Semester abroad (fall or spring)

Semester abroad programs run an entire semester (3-4 months) and are offered through direct affiliates – overseas institutions and third party providers. Students take a minimum of 12 credit hours when on a semester program, and they also have the option of (1) adding a service learning component to their study abroad or (2) enrolling in a for-credit internship. Follow the program links to view all offerings.

Summer abroad (4-8 weeks)

Summer abroad programs are for students who want a shorter term experience and fewer credit hours abroad. Students on summer programs typically take 3-9 hours of credit. These students may also add a service learning component to their study abroad. Summer programs are offered through direct affiliates – see the links to view all offerings.

Short-term Faculty-Led Program (7-14 days)

A Faculty-Led Program (FLP) is a study abroad experience that is offered in conjunction with an academic class that is taught either fall or spring semester at The College of Saint Rose. The class meets on campus like any regular class, but it also has an additional 1-2 week travel component that typically occurs during a semester break. Students travel with the faculty member and other class members, so there is a high amount of small group interaction. Cost wise, students pay their regular semester costs, and for the class that has an FLP attached, they pay an additional travel cost, which ranges from $1,500 – $3,000.

ACSSJ Exchange Program

The Association of Colleges of Sisters of Saint Joseph (ACSSJ) Student Exchange Program offers students the opportunity to enrich their educational experience by studying for a semester or a year at a member campus: Avila University, Kansas City, MO; Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia, PA; Elms College, Chicopee, MA; Fontbonne University, St. Louis, MO; Mount Saint Mary’s College, Los Angeles, CA; Regis College, Weston, MA; St. Catherine University, St. Paul, MN and St. Joseph’s College, New York, NY. Full-time students who have completed at least 24 credit hours and maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average are eligible to participate. The exchange may be for one or two semesters. The two semesters may be on one campus or a semester each on two different campuses. Students must apply by April 10 for the fall semester, and November 10 for the spring semester. For more information visit www.acssj.org.

Experienced Adult Program (EAP)

The College of Saint Rose recognizes college-level learning gained outside the traditional classroom through its Experienced Adult Program (EAP), which enables students to earn credit by documenting their learning through a portfolio process.

Credit is granted for knowledge acquired through experience, not for the experience itself. A successful portfolio may include documentation of work experience, volunteer activities, seminars, military service, independent inquiry, other learning activities, or a combination of the above.

The portfolio process begins after a student has been admitted to the College. It should be submitted early in the program, so that the student’s degree plan can stay on track and can accommodate any revisions brought on by portfolio review. A fee is due at the time of portfolio submission. The cost is $300 for having up to 12 credits assessed; $425 for more than 12 credits. The fee is for the assessment process; not for credits. Contact the Registrar's Office for more information at 518-458-5464 or registrar@strose.edu.

Senior Citizen Program

The College offers senior citizens, aged 62 and older, the opportunity to audit courses for their personal and professional development. Seniors may begin registration the Friday before the start of a new semester. No tuition is charged and no credit is awarded for courses taken through this program. The College also welcomes senior citizens to any public campus events, such as lectures, concerts, art exhibits, plays, or films. More information about events is available at www.strose.edu/events (some admission charges may apply).

The College Experience Program

Living Resources is an Albany, New York-based, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote and provide life enhancing services to individuals with disabilities in a safe and secure environment. In the fall of 2005, Living Resources and The College of Saint Rose launched the College Experience Program, a two-year certificate program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities that creates new life opportunities for the students in the program.

The College Experience Program provides individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as the Saint Rose students and faculty working closely with them, with real-life experience, perhaps not otherwise available to them. Choices for individuals with developmental disabilities who aged out of school traditionally have been limited to day programs or supported employment.

The College Experience Program at The College of Saint Rose offers a curriculum designed to foster independence and encourage students with developmental disabilities to explore areas of interest both professionally and socially. The program’s main goals are for each student in the program to be ready to enjoy independent living (with or without assistance), and to be employed in a chosen field upon completion of the two-year certificate program.

Students in the College Experience Program have a required course of study and electives. They live in supported apartments close to the College campus. While the students receive residential habilitation support from Living Resources, College Experience Program students are exposed to all that the College campus has to offer. Students in the program have access to the amenities offered to all students at The College of Saint Rose. All students in the program must be recommended to the College by Living Resources (www.livingresources.org).