College of Arts and Sciences Provisional Admission Interest Form

Congratulations on your offer of provisional admission to a master's degree program at UB! Please read the instructions carefully.

Using the program list below, please explore our different master's programs offering provisional admission. If you wish to pursue provisional admission in a different program than your current undergraduate major or provisional offer please complete the form below. You will then be contacted with next steps or to schedule an appointment with the Director of Graduate Studies. If you have questions or you would simply like to learn more about provisional admission, please schedule a consultation with a graduate admissions advisor.

For general questions, please contact the program director, Jennifer Mdurvwa, at jmdurvwa@buffalo.edu.

The following programs are able to accept students through provisional admission:

The American Studies MA program offers students a solid grounding in professional study of the history and culture of the Americas.

The Anthropology MA offers a a broad range of graduate studies in the subfields of archaeology, cultural anthropology, medical anthropology and physical anthropology, designed to provide students with the critical skills necessary for successful professional careers as anthropologists.

The Arts Management MA program curriculum acknowledges the dynamic relationship between theory and practice. Coursework is cumulative; information you learn in each class correlates with other Program courses to create a conversation and a wholistic view of the subject. The process creates independent thinkers that can function in arts ecosystems as they exist today, yet have the flexibility to challenge current systems and imagine new paradigms to continuously bring together the best art, with the best public, in the best possible circumstances.

The Biological Sciences MA Special Masters Program (SMP) provides advanced graduate training that can be tailored based on a applicant's interest in the health sciences. The program has a flexible curriculum and 80 percent success rate in getting its graduates accepted into health-related professional programs.

The Classics MA offers concentrations in Classical Literature, Ancient History and Mediterranean Archaeology, as well as standalone Master’s programs in Latin Teaching and Ancient History.

The Communication MA program at the University at Buffalo is designed to prepare students for doctoral study or advanced professional work in communication processes. The program emphasizes the social scientific study of communication, with coursework focused on communication theory and research methodologies. Additional number of our research topics parallel research conducted in select psychology departments, including health communication, mental well-being, and behavioral influences.

The Comparative Literature MA is a small program that focuses on theoretical studies of literature, politics and culture. The department stresses philosophical and theoretical graduate studies in the humanities, and is best known for its interdisciplinary work in post-Kantian philosophy, poststructuralism, and literatures of the 18th through 21st centuries.

The fully online Criminology MS is a flexible program that can be completed in as little a s one year. Students in this program gain an understanding of how crime and the criminal justices system are embedded within other social institutions and power structures, and gain skills in analyzing qualitative and quantitative data. Careers include: policy and data analysis, non-profit organizations, social service organizations, social justice advocacy, and law enforcement.

Critical Museum Studies MA is a pre-professional interdisciplinary program under the aegis of Anthropology, Art, Arts Management, Classics and Media Study. The program is ideal as a stepping-stone to a doctoral program in art history or as a credential degree for a career in museums, art galleries and curation.

Our Humanities Interdisciplinary MA program with a concentration in Disabilities Studies, seeks to provide students with the knowledge base and theoretical means to question conventional understandings of the normal body, and mind. Both core and elective courses analyze disability and the lives of people with disabilities as they are represented in history, literature, sociology, anthropology, architecture and other humanities-based disciplines.

The Drugs, Health and Society MA is a unique multidisciplinary program that trains students in all dimensions of drugs and addiction: scientific, therapeutic, social, and political. Students take classes with expert faculty in the Social Sciences, Humanities, Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, Law, Social Work and Education and choose a specialty in Science and Health or Society and Politics. The program prepares students for a wide range of careers including: addiction treatment, addiction research, or other drug-related scientific or medical disciplines. It also prepares student to work in fields related to drug policy, advocacy, journalism, human resources, or criminal justice where expertise on drugs and addiction is important.

The Economics MA prepares students to apply economic models, analyze data and evaluate policies all with guidance from internationally recognized faculty. The program focuses on quantitative and analytical skills that are in demand across industries and sectors.

The Econometric and Quantitative Economics MS equips students with advanced knowledge and practical expertise in mathematical and quantitative methods used by modern economists. Our students deal with large data sets and are trained to perform a wide gamut of business research, including cost-benefit analysis, researching market trends and forecasting future changes in economic activity in various sectors of the economy.

The English MA provides highly motivated students the opportunity to study literature at an advanced level alongside our PhD students and accomplished faculty. The program offers a wide-ranging course of study that combines historical research with theoretical inquiry cross a number of fields, including American and British literature, modernism, contemporary literature, psychoanalysis, cultural studies, poetics and critical theory.

The Evolution, Ecology and Behavior MS: Sustainability Track is a research-focused degree program which facilitates the integration of social and natural science approaches to achieving a more just and sustainable future. The program is well suited to those investigating the political and ecological dimensions of environmental transformations, the relationship of science and society in advancing more sustainable futures, and novel approaches to community-based problem solving.

The French Language and Literatures MA program trains students to develop new knowledge about the languages, literatures and cultures of the Romance languages, as well as the cultures and diasporic communities with which they have remained in sustained contact. Our students prepared to participate in critical discussions in the discipline and engage meaningfully with the scholarship of colleagues in neighboring disciplines.

The Geography MA is aimed at students, who want to gain a strong background in both theoretical and applied aspects of geography and intend to pursue professional careers in, for example, local, regional or national planning agencies, engineering or environmental firms, and GIS service providers. We offer concentrations in GIS, Earth Systems Science, Environmental Modeling & Analysis, Urban & Regional Analysis, Transportation & Business Geographics, and general studies.

The Geography MS is aimed at students, who want to specialize in applications of analytical techniques in the field of geography and intend to pursue a doctoral degree or a career in research, development, and consulting. We offer three concentrations - Earth Systems Science, Economic Geography and Business Geographics, and Health Geography.

The Geographic Information Science MS program seeks to redefine concepts for their use in the digital age, while geographic information systems (GIS) employs powerful technologies to analyze, visualize and display spatial patterns.

Our Geological Sciences MS combines hands-on research, rigorous coursework, and personalized mentorship. The program applies interdisciplinary approaches to three main themes: (1) climate change, (2) geohazards, volcanology and geodynamics, and (3) water and environment. *Geology will admit students first into the MS non-thesis program and then individual faculty may pull interested students into the MS thesis program on a case by case basis.

The Global Affairs MA offers students advanced understanding of the processes, institutions and challenges arising in the modern global system. Students will examine how international, regional, and domestic factors affect relations between and within countries, and between non-governmental and international actors. Students can focus on political, economic and legal features of international relations.

The Global Gender Studies MA prepares students with the theoretical and practical foundations in the discipline. The strength of our master's program lies in our commitment to an interdisciplinary curriculum that bridges multiple fields: literature, media and visual studies, science studies, disability theory, history, sociology, political science and anthropology.

The History MA provides deep training for anyone serious about and dedicated to history. Research foci of the department include early modern societies, race, empire and nation, the Twentieth Century world, and medicine, disability and science, public history, immigration history, and gay and lesbian studies.

The Indigenous Studies MA program provides students with a set of interdisciplinary tools to think rigorously about important issues confronting Indigenous communities in the present while examining intersections of colonialism, race, gender, and the historic and contemporary political, social and cultural engagements of Indigenous Peoples and Nations.

The International Trade MA provides the opportunity for students to gain a strong background in theoretical, policy, and development aspects of international business and world trade, with special emphasis on geographical understanding of the process and impact of globalization. This career-oriented program also provides a firm theoretical and methodological foundation for those who wish to continue in a doctoral or professional degree program.

The Jewish Thought MA provides advanced training in the intellectual and spiritual history of Judaism, with special emphasis on medieval, modern and contemporary thought. Students will explore both classical and modern texts, and examine authors and philosophers who have an impact on the field.

The Mathematics MA combines study and research opportunities under the direction of an internationally-known faculty. Students participate in mathematical research in the primary areas of analysis, algebra, applied mathematics and geometry/topology.

Students completing the Computational and Applied Mathematics MS acquire highly marketable techniques involving networks, complex systems, machine learning, and data analysis alongside more traditional topics such as probability, statistics, computational methods, and other applied mathematics methods.

The Music Composition MA invites emerging composers to expand their artistic boundaries through experimentation, critical inquiry and bold creative expression. The program encourages musical and technological experiment, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the development of authentic creative character,

The Music History MA at the University at Buffalo combines rigorous academic training with flexibility and provides mentorship and a comprehensive curriculum to prepare you for success in academia or professional settings. Specialties cover major periods of Western music history, including medieval and Renaissance music, as well as the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Areas of interest also encompass: film music, Russian and Soviet music, the Second Viennese School, criticism, philosophy, aesthetics, and popular music studies.

The Music Performance MM is designed to help instrumentalists, vocalists and conductors achieve technical mastery, interpretative depth, and academic excellence. With personalized mentorship, a comprehensive curriculum and unparalleled performance opportunities, students gain the skills and confidence to excel as professional musicians.

The Music Theory MA builds upon a curriculum that is deeply rooted in the best theoretical traditions, while also exploring innovations in the field. The program provides a well-rounded education through rigorous coursework, innovative research opportunities, and personalized mentorship.

The Philosophy MA program provides graduate students with training in a variety of subfields, including philosophy, politics and economics (PPE), applied ontology, metaphysics, philosophy of science, history of early modern philosophy and bioethics. Students acquire skills in cross-disciplinary research that apply philosophical ideas and methods in the real world.

The Physics MS strives for students to achieve excellence in research, and to actively engage the broader research community. We offer research areas in biological physics, condensed matter physics, high energy physics and cosmology, and non-linear dynamics and statistical physics.

The Political Science MA is oriented to the scientific study of politics of all types. Our students have the opportunity to study political phenomena at all levels, including local, state, national, and international issues.

The Spanish Language and Literature MA program in Spanish trains students to develop new knowledge about the languages, literatures and cultures of the Romance languages, as well as the cultures and diasporic communities with which they have remained in sustained contact. Our students prepared to participate in critical discussions in the discipline and engage meaningfully with the scholarship of colleagues in neighboring disciplines. Students can specialize in Spanish literature or linguistics.

In the Sustainability Leadership MA program, students will master the knowledge and techniques required to work in a wide range of professional sustainability positions. Students have the opportunity to investigate across a variety of disciplines and propose solutions to real-world socio-ecological problems.

UB’s Theatre and Performance MA is a research-oriented program featuring an integration of scholarship and practice. By training students not only in a discipline, but also at the intersection of history, theory, and production, this program will equip students with the critical tools necessary to negotiate emerging fields and the scholarly rigor to produce high-level scholarship within the dynamic fields of theatre and performance studies.

Dive deep into how institutions, policies and practices impact social, economic and educational outcomes, focusing on underserved populations. Offered through the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy, the Educational Culture, Policy and Society EdM program allows students to examine education in broad-based social, cultural, political and historical contexts in the U.S. and other nations, as well as the cross-national differences in educational policies and practices related to the teaching profession, teaching and learning.

Our Educational Data Science MS program equips you with the skills to excel in one of the fastest-growing fields in the U.S. You'll learn to leverage big data, from large-scale assessments to advanced learning analytics, to drive equitable decision-making in education. By mastering critical quantitative methods, you’ll address biases in data, preparing to become a researcher or analyst rooted in equity and committed to advancing educational outcomes through innovative, data-driven solutions.

The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages EdM master's program is recognized as the terminal professional degree for those seeking to make a meaningful impact in national and international ESL/ENL (English as a New Language) education. Expand your career opportunities and empower learners around the world with this in-demand degree.

Our Higher Education and Student Affairs EdM master's degree offers a blend of coursework, practical experience and personalized mentorship to prepare you for a rewarding career. With a focus on student development, diversity and hands-on experience, our program prepares you to meet the needs of today’s diverse student population at both two- and four-year institutions.

If your program of interest is not listed above, you cannot be admitted provisionally to it. This includes all graduate programs outside the College of Arts and Sciences (ex. mental health counseling, school counseling, social work, public health).

If you are interested in a program that is not eligible for provisional admission, you can apply as a regular applicant. If applying to another master's program in the College, you can still receive an application fee waiver. Please visit The Graduate School to review a comprehensive list of graduate programs at UB.

I am interested in pursuing provisional admission:

in a different area of study.

I'm not sure, and would like to speak to a graduate enrollment coordinator.

Please schedule a meeting with a graduate enrollment coordinator to discuss what program options are available to you.

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