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
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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
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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
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CUNY Brooklyn College
2900 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11210
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CUNY City College
160 Convent Ave, New York, NY 10031
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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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