State game wardens in New York work for the Department of Environmental Conservation and are referred to as environmental conservation officers. These officers are sworn peace officers and carry a firearm.
New York’s environmental conservation officers have a wide variety of job duties, which can differ somewhat based on their location in the state. For instance, those in upstate New York may deal with wildlife nuisances like bears or investigate incidents of timber theft. In contrast, environmental conservation officers in New York City tend to work with issues relating to air and water quality and investigate the illegal trade of exotic and endangered animals.
New York’s environmental conservation officers are frequently called upon to help in times of crises, whether manmade or natural disasters. For instance, New York state game wardens were among those called in during the aftermath of 9/11 and the crash of TWA Flight 800, and more recently, with flooding and winter storms.
This combination of law enforcement and conservation work draws the best and brightest, so applicants should expect to face intense competition.
New York Game Warden Eligibility Requirements
Individuals with a strong sense of ethics and a passion for wildlife conservation and outdoor sports are well suited for outdoor work. Conservation officers in New York have a great diversity of roles, which range from managing fish and game populations to enforcing state and federal laws.
In addition to their law enforcement duties, these officers promote and coordinate hunter and firearm education, boating safety classes, and collect bird and game census data. Being responsible for such a breadth of law enforcement, conservation, and education efforts means that applicants must effectively demonstrate their suite of skills. Shown below are the minimum qualifications to be considered for this type of job.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Basic Job Qualifications
The website of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation offers additional information on the requirements for environmental conservation officers. Eligibility criteria are shown below:
Age: 20 years of age or older is required at the time of application
Citizenship: Proof of U.S. citizenship or of permanent resident alien status and has applied for citizenship; must be a New York State resident at time of application
License: A valid New York-issued driver’s license is required. Individuals must maintain an acceptable driving record.
Military Service: Applicants who are former members of the United States military require ‘Under Honorable Conditions’ discharge documentation.
Work Eligibility: New employees must present original documents that establish identity and eligibility for U.S. employment opportunities as per federal law – applicants must be eligible to accept employment before the process continues
Background and Legal History: Applicants must pass an intensive background investigation in order to continue the application process. Candidates may be disqualified if they have been:
- Convicted of a felony in New York or any other state;
- Convicted of any offense in any state that would have been a felony if committed in New York
- Charged with a felony found to be mentally incompetent
- Found not guilty by reason of insanity of any felony
- Determined to be a mentally disordered sex offender
- Addicted or in danger of becoming addicted to narcotics
- Convicted and committed to a State institution
- Convicted of any offense which precludes you from carrying a firearm under State or federal law
- Failed urinalysis drug testing prior to employment
Academic Credentials: High school diploma or GED is required; A bachelor’s degree with a concentration in criminal justice, environmental studies, environmental sciences OR an associate’s degree AND relevant experience in law enforcement or environmental management are important. Applicants must have 18 credits of relevant coursework. Please note that a Peace Officer Training Course will not satisfy the law enforcement requirement.
Additional Requirements
Pass the New York civil service exam
Peace Officer Training Requirements
Basic Training School for Uniformed Officers for 26 weeks
- Police skills
- Operating a police vehicle
- Firearms training
- Physical fitness
- Classroom instruction
- Environmental law enforcement technical aspects
Field Training and Evaluation Program
Evaluation of work by a senior officer
Steps as an ECO Trainee:
- ECO Trainee 1 for 30 weeks with their own patrol area
- ECO Trainee 2 for two years
- ECO standard employee
Interview: Candidates will have a face-to-face panel interview during the application process
Medical Condition: The applicant must be examined by a licensed physician to ensure that they are in good health.
Hearing: The applicant must have ‘normal’ hearing in an ambient ‘background noise’ environment.
Vision: Visual acuity not less than 20/40 in each eye without correction and corrected to 20/20 in each eye. Normal color vision and normal peripheral vision are required. Physical Readiness: The applicant must be in sound physical condition and able to swim.
Physical: Applicants must successfully complete each component of the physical readiness testing.
Psychological Condition: The applicant must be in suitable psychological and emotional health to complete training and be eligible for hire
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Desired Qualifications
- Required to identify and safely use various firearms
- Demonstrate an aptitude for collecting and preserving evidence, writing reports, and testifying in court.
- Professional development or college courses in natural resource management, criminology, psychology, business management or sciences
- Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, database and email software in a networked environment
- Mechanical aptitude and logical thinking.
- Ability to use professional level English grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, and composition; reading and comprehension
- Ability to use foundational math skills including advanced arithmetic, payroll/accounts receivable, and estimation
- Additional languages are an asset
Salaries for Environmental Conservation Officers
New York’s environmental conservation officers are extremely well paid. Officers just starting out earned an average of $54,800 ($26.35/hour) as of 2016, well in excess of the national average for game wardens.
The New York Department of Civil Service reported the starting salaries for environmental conservation investigators and supervisors as of 2017:
- Environmental Conservation Investigator 1 – $66,411
- Environmental Conservation Investigator 2 – $72,813
- Supervising Environmental Conservation Officer – $69,591
The overall average for environmental conservation officers in New York, including all experience levels and specialized roles, was $69,060 ($33.20/hour), which exceeded the national average for game wardens by 26%. Experienced environmental conservation officers earned an average of $76,190 ($36.63/hour) in 2016.
New York State Environmental Conservation
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233
Phone: (518) 402-8821
http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/2437.html
School Programs
| Program | Programs Offered |
|---|---|
Adelphi University South Ave, Garden City, NY 11530-0701 Phone: (516) 877-3000 |
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Alfred University One Saxon Drive, Alfred, NY 14802-1205 Phone: (607) 871-2111 |
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Barnard College 3009 Broadway, New York, NY 10027-6598 Phone: (212) 854-5262 |
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Canisius College 2001 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14208-1098 Phone: (716) 883-7000 |
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Cazenovia College 22 Sullivan St, Cazenovia, NY 13035 Phone: (800) 654-3210 |
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Clarkson University 8 Clarkson Ave, Potsdam, NY 13699 Phone: (315) 268-6400 |
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Clinton Community College 136 Clinton Point Dr, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 Phone: (518) 562-4200 |
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Clinton Essex Warren Washington BOCES 1585 Military Turnpike, Plattsburgh, NY 12901-0455 Phone: (518) 561-0100 |
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Colgate University 13 Oak Dr, Hamilton, NY 13346-1398 Phone: (315) 228-1000 |
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College of Mount Saint Vincent 6301 Riverdale Ave, Bronx, NY 10471-1093 Phone: (718) 405-3200 |
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College of Staten Island CUNY 2800 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314 Phone: (718) 982-2000 |
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Columbia University in the City of New York West 116 St and Broadway, New York, NY 10027 Phone: (212) 854-1754 |
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Columbia-Greene Community College 4400 Route 23, Hudson, NY 12534 Phone: (518) 828-4181 |
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Concordia College-New York 171 White Plains Rd, Bronxville, NY 10708-1998 Phone: (914) 337-9300 |
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Cornell University 300 Day Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853 Phone: (607) 255-2000 |
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Corning Community College 1 Academic Dr, Corning, NY 14830 Phone: (607) 962-9011 |
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CUNY Bernard M Baruch College One Bernard Baruch Way (55 Lexington Ave at 24th St), New York, NY 10010 Phone: (646) 312-1000 |
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CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College 199 Chambers St, New York, NY 10007 Phone: (212) 220-8000 |
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CUNY Bronx Community College 2155 University Avenue, Bronx, NY 10453 Phone: (718) 289-5100 |
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CUNY Brooklyn College 2900 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11210 Phone: (718) 951-5000 |
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CUNY City College 160 Convent Ave, New York, NY 10031 Phone: (212) 650-7000 |
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CUNY Graduate School and University Center 365 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10016 Phone: (212) 817-7000 |
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CUNY Hostos Community College 500 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451 Phone: (718) 518-4444 |
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CUNY Hunter College 695 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065 Phone: (212) 772-4000 |
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CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice 524 W 59th St, New York, NY 10019 Phone: (212) 237-8000 |
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CUNY Kingsborough Community College 2001 Oriental Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11235 Phone: (718) 368-5000 |
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CUNY LaGuardia Community College 31-10 Thomson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101 Phone: (718) 482-7200 |
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CUNY Lehman College 250 Bedford Park Blvd W, Bronx, NY 10468 Phone: (718) 960-8000 |
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CUNY Medgar Evers College 1650 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225 Phone: (718) 270-4900 |
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CUNY Queens College 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367 Phone: (718) 997-5000 |
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CUNY Queensborough Community College 222-05 56th Ave, Bayside, NY 11364-1497 Phone: (718) 631-6262 x6279 |
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CUNY York College 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11451 Phone: (718) 262-2000 |
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D'Youville College 320 Porter Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201-1084 Phone: (716) 829-8000 |
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Daemen College 4380 Main St, Amherst, NY 14226-3592 Phone: (716) 839-3600 |
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Dominican College of Blauvelt 470 Western Highway, Orangeburg, NY 10962-1210 Phone: (845) 359-7800 |
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Dowling College 150 Idle Hour Blvd, Oakdale, NY 11769-1999 Phone: (631) 244-3000 |
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Elmira College One Park Place, Elmira, NY 14901 Phone: (607) 735-1800 |
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Erie Community College 121 Ellicott St, Buffalo, NY 14203-2698 Phone: (716) 842-2770 |
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Excelsior College 7 Columbia Cir, Albany, NY 12203-5159 Phone: (518) 464-8500 |
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Farmingdale State College 2350 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735-1021 Phone: (631) 420-2000 |
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Finger Lakes Community College 3325 Marvin Sands Drive, Canandaigua, NY 14424-8395 Phone: (585) 394-3500 |
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Fordham University 441 E Fordham Rd, Bronx, NY 10458 Phone: (718) 817-1000 |
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Fulton-Montgomery Community College 2805 State Hwy 67, Johnstown, NY 12095-3790 Phone: (518) 762-3622 |
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Genesee Community College One College Rd, Batavia, NY 14020 Phone: (585) 343-0055 |
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Hamilton College 198 College Hill Rd, Clinton, NY 13323 Phone: (315) 859-4011 |
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Hartwick College One Hartwick Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820-4020 Phone: (607) 431-4000 |
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Herkimer County Community College 100 Reservoir Rd, Herkimer, NY 13350-1598 Phone: (315) 866-0300 |
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Hilbert College 5200 S Park Ave, Hamburg, NY 14075-1597 Phone: (716) 649-7900 |
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Hobart William Smith Colleges 337 Pulteney Street, Geneva, NY 14456 Phone: (315) 781-3000 |
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Hofstra University 100 Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549 Phone: (516) 463-6600 |
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Houghton College 1 Willard Ave, Houghton, NY 14744 Phone: (585) 567-9200 |
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Hudson Valley Community College 80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180 Phone: (518) 629-4822 |
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Iona College 715 North Ave, New Rochelle, NY 10801-1890 Phone: (914) 633-2000 |
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Ithaca College 953 Danby Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850-7002 Phone: (607) 274-3011 |
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Jamestown Community College 525 Falconer St, Jamestown, NY 14701 Phone: (716) 338-1000 |
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Jefferson Community College 1220 Coffeen St, Watertown, NY 13601-1897 Phone: (315) 786-2200 |
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Keuka College 141 Central Avenue, Keuka Park, NY 14478 Phone: (315) 279-5000 |
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Le Moyne College 1419 Salt Springs Rd, Syracuse, NY 13214-1301 Phone: (315) 445-4100 |
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LIU Brentwood Michael J. Grant Campus, 1001 Crooked Hill Road, Brentwood, NY 11717 Phone: (631) 287-8500 |
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LIU Brooklyn 1 University Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11201-8423 Phone: (718) 488-1011 |
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LIU Post 720 Northern Blvd, Brookville, NY 11548-1327 Phone: (516) 299-2900 |
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LIU Riverhead 121 Speonk-Riverhead Rd, Riverhead, NY 11901-3499 Phone: (631) 287-8010 |
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Manhattan College 4513 Manhattan College Parkway, Riverdale, NY 10471-4098 Phone: (718) 862-8000 |
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Manhattanville College 2900 Purchase St, Purchase, NY 10577 Phone: (914) 694-2200 |
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Marist College 3399 North Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 Phone: (845) 575-3000 |
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Marymount Manhattan College 221 E 71st St, New York, NY 10021-4597 Phone: (212) 517-0400 |
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Medaille College 18 Agassiz Circle, Buffalo, NY 14214-2695 Phone: (716) 880-2000 |
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Mercy College 555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 Phone: (800) 637-2969 |
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Mohawk Valley Community College 1101 Sherman Dr, Utica, NY 13501-5394 Phone: (315) 792-5400 |
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Molloy College 1000 Hempstead Ave, Rockville Centre, NY 11571-5002 Phone: (516) 323-3000 |
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Monroe Community College 1000 E Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14623 Phone: (585) 292-2000 |
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Morrisville State College 80 Eaton Street, Morrisville, NY 13408 Phone: (315) 684-6000 |
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Mount Saint Mary College 330 Powell Avenue, Newburgh, NY 12550 Phone: (845) 561-0800 |
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Nassau Community College One Education Dr, Garden City, NY 11530-6793 Phone: (516) 572-7501 |
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Nazareth College 4245 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14618-3790 Phone: (585) 389-2525 |
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New York Institute of Technology Northern Blvd, Old Westbury, NY 11568-8000 Phone: (516) 686-7516 |
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New York Medical College Administration Building, Valhalla, NY 10595 Phone: (914) 594-4000 |
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New York University 70 Washington Sq South, New York, NY 10012-1091 Phone: (212) 998-1212 |
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Niagara County Community College 3111 Saunders Settlement Rd, Sanborn, NY 14132 Phone: (716) 614-6222 |
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Niagara University Lewiston Road, Niagara University, NY 14109 Phone: (716) 285-1212 |
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North Country Community College 23 Santanoni Avenue, Saranac Lake, NY 12983-0089 Phone: (518) 891-2915 |
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Nyack College 1 South Blvd, Nyack, NY 10960-3698 Phone: (845) 675-4400 |
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Onondaga Community College 4585 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215-4585 Phone: (315) 498-2622 |
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Orange County Community College 115 South St, Middletown, NY 10940 Phone: (845) 344-6222 |
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Pace University-New York 1 Pace Plaza, New York, NY 10038-1598 Phone: (212) 346-1200 |
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Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science State Routes 30 and 86, Paul Smiths, NY 12970-0265 Phone: (518) 327-6000 |
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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 110 8th St, Troy, NY 12180-3590 Phone: (518) 276-6000 |
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Roberts Wesleyan College 2301 Westside Dr, Rochester, NY 14624 Phone: (585) 594-6000 |
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Rochester Institute of Technology 1 Lomb Memorial Dr, Rochester, NY 14623-5603 Phone: (585) 475-2411 |
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Saint John Fisher College 3690 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14618-3597 Phone: (585) 385-8000 |
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Saint Joseph's College-New York 245 Clinton Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205-3688 Phone: (718) 940-5300 |
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Schenectady County Community College 78 Washington Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12305 Phone: (518) 381-1200 |
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Siena College 515 Loudon Rd, Loudonville, NY 12211-1462 Phone: (518) 783-2300 |
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Skidmore College 815 N Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Phone: (518) 580-5000 |
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St Bonaventure University 3261 W. State Road, Saint Bonaventure, NY 14778 Phone: (716) 375-2000 |
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St Francis College 180 Remsen St, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201-9902 Phone: (718) 522-2300 |
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St John's University-New York 8000 Utopia Pky, Queens, NY 11439 Phone: (718) 990-6161 |
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St Lawrence University 23 Romoda Drive, Canton, NY 13617 Phone: (315) 229-5011 |
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St. Thomas Aquinas College 125 Rte 340, Sparkill, NY 10976-1050 Phone: (845) 398-4000 |
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State University of New York at New Paltz 1 Hawk Drive, New Paltz, NY 12561-2443 Phone: (877) 696-7411 |
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Stony Brook University 310 Administration Building, Stony Brook, NY 11794 Phone: (631) 632-6000 |
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Sullivan County Community College 112 College Road, Loch Sheldrake, NY 12759-5151 Phone: (845) 434-5750 |
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SUNY at Albany 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222 Phone: (518) 442-3300 |
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SUNY at Binghamton 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Vestal, NY 13850-6000 Phone: (607) 777-2000 |
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SUNY at Fredonia 280 Central Ave, Fredonia, NY 14063-1136 Phone: (716) 673-3111 |
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SUNY at Purchase College 735 Anderson Hill Rd, Purchase, NY 10577-1400 Phone: (914) 251-6000 |
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SUNY Broome Community College 907 Upper Front St, Binghamton, NY 13905 Phone: (607) 778-5000 |
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SUNY Buffalo State 1300 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222 Phone: (716) 878-4000 |
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SUNY College at Brockport 350 New Campus Dr, Brockport, NY 14420-2919 Phone: (585) 395-2361 |
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SUNY College at Cortland Miller Administration Building, Graham Avenue, Cortland, NY 13045-0900 Phone: (607) 753-2011 |
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SUNY College at Geneseo 1 College Circle, Geneseo, NY 14454-1465 Phone: (585) 245-5000 |
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SUNY College at Old Westbury 223 Store Hill Rd, Old Westbury, NY 11568-0210 Phone: (516) 876-3000 |
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SUNY College at Oswego 7060 State Route 104, Oswego, NY 13126 Phone: (315) 312-2500 |
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SUNY College at Plattsburgh 101 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901-2681 Phone: (518) 564-2000 |
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SUNY College at Potsdam 44 Pierrepont Ave, Potsdam, NY 13676-2294 Phone: (315) 267-2000 |
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SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Rt 7, Cobleskill, NY 12043 Phone: (518) 255-5525 |
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SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry One Forestry Dr., Syracuse, NY 13210 Phone: (315) 470-6500 |
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SUNY College of Technology at Alfred 10 Upper College Drive, Alfred, NY 14802 Phone: (800) 425-3733 |
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SUNY College of Technology at Canton 34 Cornell Drive, Canton, NY 13617-1098 Phone: (315) 386-7011 |
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SUNY College of Technology at Delhi 2 Main Street, Delhi, NY 13753-1100 Phone: (607) 746-4000 |
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SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica-Rome 100 Seymour Rd, Utica, NY 13502 Phone: (315) 792-7100 |
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SUNY Oneonta Ravine Parkway, Oneonta, NY 13820-4015 Phone: (607) 436-3500 |
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Syracuse University 900 South Crouse Ave., Syracuse, NY 13244 Phone: (315) 443-1870 |
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The College of New Rochelle 29 Castle Pl, New Rochelle, NY 10805-2339 Phone: (914) 654-5000 |
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The College of Saint Rose 432 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203-1490 Phone: (518) 454-5111 |
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The Sage Colleges 65 1st Street, Troy, NY 12180 Phone: (518) 244-2000 |
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Tompkins Cortland Community College 170 North St, Dryden, NY 13053-0139 Phone: (607) 844-8211 |
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Touro College 27-33 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10010 Phone: (212) 463-0400 |
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Ulster County Community College 491 Cottekill Rd, Stone Ridge, NY 12484 Phone: (845) 687-5000 |
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Union College 807 Union St, Schenectady, NY 12308-2311 Phone: (518) 388-6000 |
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United States Military Academy 646 Swift Rd (ATTN: MASG), West Point, NY 10996-1905 Phone: (845) 938-4011 |
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University at Buffalo 12 Capen Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260-1660 Phone: (716) 645-2000 |
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University of Rochester Wilson Blvd. - Wallis Hall, Rochester, NY 14627-0011 Phone: (585) 275-3221 |
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Utica College 1600 Burrstone Rd, Utica, NY 13502-4892 Phone: (315) 792-3111 |
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Vassar College 124 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604 Phone: (845) 437-7000 |
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Wagner College One Campus Rd, Staten Island, NY 10301-4495 Phone: (718) 390-3100 |
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Weill Cornell Medical College 1300 York Ave, C-118, New York, NY 10065 Phone: (212) 746-1050 |
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Wells College 170 State Rte 90, Aurora, NY 13026-0500 Phone: (315) 364-3266 |
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Yeshiva University 500 W 185th St, New York, NY 10033-3299 Phone: (212) 960-5400 |
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