How to Apply

Step-by-step application instructions

• Visit the Online Application website
• Click 'First Time User Account Creation'
• Fill in name and email address information
• Create a new application
• Under 'Graduate Programs' menu choose:
  • Graduate Studies - PhD
  • Graduate Studies - Masters
• Fill in all required information

Application Checklist

Pre-advisement appointments are available to help in applying to PhD, Masters, or the MD/PhD Program in-person or over the phone. Email Sam Castleberry at  castlebs@upstate.edu to set up an appointment.

Application Timeline and Deadlines

Doctoral Programs

The Biomedical Sciences PhD Program application deadline for full consideration is January 15th. Requests for submitting an application beyond this date will be considered until the class is full. Please email the Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment, Sam Castleberry, at castlebs@upstate.edu to request permission to submit an application beyond January 15th.

Selected students will be invited to visit campus for recruitment days in late February or early March.

*All students interested in the Biomedical Sciences PhD Program apply to the undeclared program. If accepted, their first year at Upstate includes core classes and three lab rotations, of the student's choosing, before deciding on a research program, lab, and mentor.

If you are interested in applying to the MD/PhD Program, visit the MD/PhD Program page for details.

Masters Programs

The three Biomedical Science Masters Programs in Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology have an application deadline of April 1st. Please email the Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment, Sam Castleberry, at castlebs@upstate.edu to request permission to submit an application beyond April 1st.

MD/PhD Program

If you are interested in applying to the MD/PhD Program, visit the MD/PhD Program page for details. Admissions Requirements for the Biomedical Sciences PhD and Master's Programs can be found here.

Financial Information

All PhD students, both domestic and international, receive a competitive 12-month stipend and a full tuition waiver. This is a research assistantship and does not require teaching by the student.

For more information regarding stipend, tuition or program costs, please refer to: Stipends, Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid.

SUNY Upstate Medical University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, color, creed, age, national origin, disability, marital status or veteran status in the recruitment and employment of faculty or staff; in the recruitment of students, or in the operation of any programs or activities, as specified by federal and state laws and regulations. For more information contact: Office of Diversity & Inclusion, 711 Jacobsen Hall, 315 464-5234

To hear from current, international students in the Biomedical Sciences PhD or Masters programs, please visit our Global Ambassadors Page to speak with one of the SUNY Upstate College of Graduate Studies Global Ambassadors.

See our Frequently Asked Questions regarding Admissions, Stipends, etc.

Veteran Applicants

SUNY Upstate is proud to waive the Upstate application fee for US Veterans and/or Active Duty Military! Instructions on how to submit a waiver are provided within the application. If you have any questions regarding this waiver, please email admiss@upstate.edu and indicate your program of interest.