Founded in 1971, Empire State College is a comprehensive, public college within the State University of New York that awards associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. The college annually serves more than 16,000 students, 75 percent of whom work full time and manage family and community obligations while enrolled. Their average age is 36, and most have earned college credit earlier in their lives.

The Mission of Empire State College
Empire State College enables motivated adults, regardless of geography or life circumstance, to design a rigorous, individualized academic program and earn a college degree.

The Commitments of Empire State College

To support self-directed, intellectually curious learners who collaborate with faculty mentors.

To document, evaluate and award credit for an adult’s prior college-level life learning.

To offer each student an array of learning experiences through independent study, seminars, short-term residencies, and online courses.

To develop, implement and assess new approaches to learning that recognize the strengths and needs of adult learners.

To provide access to degree programs at multiple locations in New York state and abroad, and through the World Wide Web.

To expand degree opportunities for adult learners through partnerships with employers and unions, government agencies and the armed forces, and community organizations and educational institutions.

To advocate for adult learners at the regional, state and national levels.