School of Continuing Education

Overview

Cornell University's School of Continuing Education (Cornell SCE) provides outstanding educational opportunities throughout the year in as many subject areas and formats as possible to help students of all backgrounds transform their lives, advance their careers, and positively impact communities around the world.

SCE’s offerings include Summer Session and Winter Session courses on campus, online, and abroad; Non-degree Studies year-round; Precollege Studies for high school students; and, starting in August 2027, a part-time, fully online Bachelor of Professional Studies degree for working adults.

Our classes are taught by Cornell faculty members; leaders in higher education, industry, and government; and distinguished scholars from around the world. Our participants range from high school students to Cornell students, faculty, staff, alumni, family, and friends; undergraduates and graduate students from institutions worldwide; international students and scholars; area residents; working adults and retirees; and students with diverse educational backgrounds and paths to higher education.

Website: sce.cornell.edu 

Contact Information

Email: cusce@cornell.edu
Phone: (607) 255-4987
Office: Cornell SCE, B20 Day Hall (144 Feeney Way), Ithaca, NY 14853

General Information

Administration

  • Mary Loeffelholz, Dean
  • Daniel Kratochvil, Senior Associate Dean, Academic Affairs
  • Ben Balkaya, Associate Dean, Administration

Student Services and Advising

SCE staff members provide admissions advice to students interested in enrolling in any of our programs, as well counseling and advising to students registered in Summer Session and Winter Session, Non-degree Studies, and Precollege Studies. Students who would benefit from counseling or advising may contact the SCE office directly, book an appointment online, or may be referred by faculty or other university personnel.

Academic Offerings

Precollege Studies Program for High School Students

This award-winning program offers credit-bearing three- and six-week courses for motivated high school students from around the world.

Participants can study online in the summer or winter, or as residential or commuter students during the summer. Students take demanding college classes alongside Cornell undergraduates, earn 3 to 6 credits, and explore careers and academic majors. Students will receive an official Cornell transcript.

The program is a wonderful opportunity for high school students to experience college life and make some great friends. At the end of the program, students often say it's been the best time of their life.

For information, visit sce.cornell.edu/audience/precollege-studies/

Summer Session

During Summer Session, Cornell students can complete prerequisites, lighten your fall or spring course load, accelerate your degree program, or study something new. Regular Cornell courses are offered in three-, six-, or eight-week sessions. Courses are offered on and off campus and online.

For information, visit sce.cornell.edu/summer-session/

Winter Session

Cornell students can earn up to four credits between the fall and spring semesters by enrolling in Winter Session. During this time, you'll enjoy generally smaller classes and be able to concentrate on intensive study with a Cornell expert. Courses are offered online.

For information, visit sce.cornell.edu/winter-session/

Non-degree/Part-time Study

SCE offers Non-degree Studies to visiting students from other universities; Cornell staff and faculty members; area residents; and anyone interested in taking courses at the university, improving their job skills, continuing their education, or learning something new.

Through Non-degree Studies, almost anyone may enroll in almost any course at Cornell during the fall and spring semesters, as well as Summer and Winter Sessions, if space is available. Non-degree study at Cornell is a great opportunity to take fascinating courses, study with leading faculty members, explore Cornell’s world-leading academic programs, and earn Cornell credit.

For information, visit sce.cornell.edu/audience/non-degree-studies/

Off-Campus Programs

If you want to immerse yourself in a particular subject, consider enrolling in an off-campus program during the summer and winter sessions. These include:

Degrees

SCE will launch a part-time, fully online Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in August 2027. Designed for adults who want to complete their degree without putting their life on hold, the BPS combines flexible scheduling, meaningful engagement with university faculty, and a focus on mastering critical skills for the 21st century. For more information, visit ecornell.cornell.edu/bps/

Outreach Programs

The School of Continuing Education actively supports a number of programs and activities that serve our regional communities and beyond. Among these are programs that offer employees, retirees, and area residents an opportunity to study at Cornell; the Cornell Prison Education Program; and the Veterans Summer Bridge Program.

In addition, a collaboration between SCE, eCornell, and the nonprofit National Education Opportunity Network is giving high school students in underserved communities the opportunity to enroll in credit-bearing Cornell classes while also gaining the confidence to recognize they can excel in college.

For a complete list of SCE’s outreach programs, visit sce.cornell.edu/sce/about/outreach