About SUNY Buffalo State University
About SUNY Buffalo State University
A Place to Learn, Grow, and Prepare for Your Future
Each year, more than 6,000 students choose Buffalo State for its superb academic programs, applied learning opportunities, affordable tuition, and metropolitan location. Our goal is to inspire a lifelong passion for learning and to empower a diverse population of students to succeed as citizens of a challenging world. The university is recognized for its excellence in classroom teaching and scholarship and is known for its small class sizes—92.5 percent of all classes have fewer than 40 students. Buffalo State offers the perfect academic blend: small college learning environments coupled with large university opportunities.
History to Celebrate
In 1871, when the Buffalo Normal School opened its doors to its first class, the school’s sole purpose was to train teachers to serve Buffalo’s fast-growing student population in the public schools. Today, Buffalo State is one of the largest four-year “university colleges” in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, educating undergraduate and graduate students in arts and sciences, education and applied professions, and graduate studies. Buffalo State recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, serving as a cornerstone in the City of Buffalo and surrounding communities. Buffalo State is known for its strong community engagement and continuing commitment to providing high-quality lifelong learning opportunities—home to an engaged, diverse community of learners, scholars, and leaders whose passion is discovery, community, and changing the world.
Excellent, Comprehensive Academic Offerings
Buffalo State’s wide array of 56 undergraduate areas of study and 35 graduate areas of study //OR// 161 undergraduate programs and 68 graduate programs include several that are completely unique within the SUNY system. The university’s visual arts program is one of the largest and most comprehensive within SUNY and its Patricia H. and Richard E. Garman Art Conservation Department is one of the leading programs of its kind in North America. Its Creativity and Change Leadership Department is the pioneering academic program in the field of applied-creativity education. Building on its historical foundation as a teachers college, Buffalo State continues to earn national recognition for the quality of its teacher-preparation programs. All eligible academic programs are accredited.
Quality Learning Environment
Buffalo State fosters a learning environment that focuses on advancing each student’s potential. With one faculty member for every 14 students, students interact directly with qualified, committed instructors—four out of five hold the highest degrees in their fields.
Support programs assist students through mentoring, tutorials, workshops, and independent learning experiences. Honors curricula provide enrichment opportunities for advanced students. Campus resources address the specific needs of underrepresented students, students with disabilities, and adult learners.
Diverse Student Body
Buffalo State’s students represent the largest and most diverse student body of the SUNY university colleges. The university enrolls significant proportions of nontraditional (adult), first-generation, and disadvantaged students with demonstrated potential.
Hands-on Career Preparation
Buffalo State and the Western New York community offer plenty of convenient opportunities for students to "learn by doing" through internships with local organizations.
Students gain valuable skills through involvement with applied undergraduate research opportunities, service-learning programs, and career development services sponsored by campus centers. The university has been nationally recognized for its efforts in community engagement and social mobility.
Students preparing to be teachers are involved in classrooms early in their academic careers, and they learn in a variety of educational settings—urban, rural, and suburban. Undergraduate students are encouraged to engage in original research, with assistance from faculty mentors.
Those who wish to learn by experiencing distant places and cultures can earn college credit by participating in a variety of study abroad and national student exchange opportunities.
Convenient, Attractive Campus
The university’s park-like setting features 125 acres of landscaped green space and outdoor gathering spots, along with an eclectic mix of modern and traditional architecture. With all buildings on one campus, every destination is within easy walking distance. Forming a "town square" for the university community, four core buildings, including E. H. Butler Library and the Campbell Student Union, are situated around a central, open quadrangle.
Vibrant, Metropolitan Neighborhood
Home to the Burchfield Penney Art Center and the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall, Buffalo State’s campus is a featured attraction of Buffalo’s cultural corridor. Nationally recognized recreational and cultural amenities are within easy walking distance, including the Buffalo AKG Art Museum and the historic 367-acre Delaware Park. Distinctive shops and restaurants help give the Elmwood strip its characteristic flavor.
Buffalo and Beyond
Buffalo State students enjoy all the advantages of living in New York State’s second-largest metropolitan area, and the good word is out! National publications have lauded Buffalo’s vibrant city development, restaurants, arts, and culture. Also known at the City of Good Neighbors, Queen City, City of Light, and Nickle City, Buffalo is among America's favorite cities. Downtown Buffalo features national touring productions at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, Triple-A minor-league baseball at Sahlen Field, Sabres hockey and major concerts at KeyBank Center, and trendy night life. The NFL’s Buffalo Bills play in nearby Orchard Park. Niagara Falls—one of the world’s most visited natural wonders—is a half-hour away; cosmopolitan Toronto, Canada’s largest city, is about a two-hour drive from campus.
The State University of New York
As a comprehensive public university, the State University of New York provides a meaningful educational experience to the broadest spectrum of learners. More than 400,000 students are pursuing traditional study in classrooms and laboratories or are working at home, at their own pace, through such innovative institutions as the SUNY Learning Network and Empire State College.
The Covenant
Buffalo State Is Committed to Providing:
Superb Teaching Faculty
Buffalo State faculty members are:
Dedicated teachers.
Nationally renowned scholars who bring the latest research to the classroom.
Degreed professionals, not teaching assistants.
Among the best in SUNY—more than 50 have received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence.
Innovative and Relevant Programs
The General Education program or core curriculum ensures that students have a broad-based education.
The professional curriculum—the academic major—prepares students for career success.
Accredited professional programs. *1
State-of-the-art technologies, facilities, and library.
*1 Copies of accreditation papers are on file and may be viewed upon request.
An Excellent Learning Environment
The only SUNY university college campus in a major metropolitan area, offering exceptional cultural and recreational opportunities—all within walking distance.
A dynamic and diverse faculty, staff, and student body.
Strong student support and academic services, delivered by a committed professional staff.
Outstanding library, with a strong technical and computing infrastructure.
The Buffalo State Student Is Committed to:
First and Foremost, Being a Student
Academics is the driving, paramount goal of student life. It means a dedication to study and being fully prepared for the classroom, laboratory, or studio.
Making Progress Toward a Degree
Advance through your program at the expected pace, whether you are a full-time, part-time, day, or evening student.
Graduating
Oath of Matriculation
As a new student to Buffalo State, being now admitted to the rite of matriculation in baccalaureate studies, I do pledge to be an exemplary learner; to place the highest value on my intellectual, personal, and professional growth; and to respect learning and knowledge.
My priority is to be an educated person, to make significant progress in my program of study, and to graduate. As a student at Buffalo State, I will conduct myself with dignity, honestly, and civility, respecting the views and diverse backgrounds of my teachers and peers, enhancing the quality of life of my community, and promoting the welfare and esteemed reputation of Buffalo State. This I pledge to myself.