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Welcome to the State University of New York at New Paltz, and thank you for your interest in our college. New Paltz is a special place. Since its founding in 1828, the college has valued its commitment to a challenging liberal education. This tradition is still at the heart of our institution today—as we provide our students with the learning experiences that earn them a degree from one of the top SUNY four-year schools and an education that prepares them to succeed in, and contribute to, a complex and global society. New Paltz is located in one of the most beautiful regions of New York State— the Hudson Valley, with rich cultural, historical, artistic, and natural resources. The Village of New Paltz, a classic "college town," is within walking distance, and its Main Street is vibrant with specialty shops and restaurants that cater to every taste. We pride ourselves on both supporting and contributing to the cultural and intellectual offerings of this magnificent region. In the proud tradition of SUNY, the State University of New York at New Paltz is committed to providing high quality, affordable education to students from all social and economic backgrounds. We are a faculty and campus community dedicated to constructing a vibrant intellectual/creative public forum that reflects and celebrates the diversity of our society and encourages and supports active participation in scholarly and artistic activity. SUNY New Paltz is an active contributor to our region's schools, community institutions, and economic/cultural life. We are selective in admitting students who show promise of thriving in a learning environment, which is challenging, student-centered, and personalized. Our goal is for students to gain knowledge, skills, and confidence to contribute as productive members of their communities and professions and active citizens in a democratic nation and a global society. We are the only residential, public university in the mid-Hudson region. We offer undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences, which serve as a core for professional programs in the fine and performing arts, education, health care, business, and engineering. Our location in the scenic Hudson Valley midway between the State Capital of Albany and metropolitan New York City provides unique opportunities for enriching our academic programs. We are a diverse faculty of distinguished scholars and artists who collaborate across the disciplines and professional areas to inspire our students to a love of learning, meaningful engagement with the life of the mind, and involvement in public service. The State University of New York at New Paltz is a creative, diverse, challenging, and supportive environment where you get a degree from a highly selective university and an education rich in experiences that will last a lifetime. At New Paltz, you are encouraged to explore and take intellectual risks, find your passion, begin your path, and find your voice. New Paltz faculty have been cited for excellence in teaching – SUNY Chancellor's Award for Teaching and SUNY Distinguished Faculty – and numerous research honors such as Fulbright, Guggenheim, National Science Foundation, and National Endowment for the Arts fellowships. At New Paltz, the learning atmosphere has an air of imaginative inquiry that bridges all academic endeavors. The faculty encourages students to question, experiment, and discover in ways that lead to innovative thinking. We welcome people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, political views, and ambitions. This accepting environment makes New Paltz an ideal place for the students to learn and flourish. The SUNY New Paltz Honors Program's mission is to provide an enhanced intellectual experience in a climate conducive to interaction among highly motivated students and faculty. This experience will seek to develop and intensify the skills from a conceptual perspective in a diverse multidisciplinary analytical environment that nurtures independent thinking, creativity, respect, and social responsibility. The Honors Program consists of around 280 students. Once admitted to the program, students take special Honors seminars, which are interdisciplinary and small in size (usually around 15 students). Unlike traditional lecture courses, Honors seminars emphasize dialogue and non-lecture based learning. Students are expected to come to class with something to say and actively participate in debate and discussion. SUNY New Paltz offers a high-quality program in Intensive English, in addition to an individual Pathway level, which directly leads to full-time study toward an undergraduate or graduate degree for the conditionally admitted students. SUNY New Paltz has a century-long tradition of providing affordable and high-quality education to international students. More than 600 students from over 70 nations play a vital role in our community's educational and cultural fabric. The Graduate School at SUNY New Paltz offers more than 50 graduate degree programs in education, science, business, and the arts for students who have the equivalent of a four-year (college) baccalaureate degree. View full university