Learning Centers

Where and How to Study

Woman working in library If you prefer to study near your home or office, you may enroll at one of our convenient locations across New York state . The college also has international locations for students working towards an Empire State College degree. If you prefer to study at a distance, you can complete your associate or bachelor's degree entirely online through our Center for Distance Learning.

Whether you study onsite or online, you will be assigned a faculty mentor who will assist you in developing your degree program tailored to meet your education, career and employment needs, and provide you with ongoing guidance through the completion of your degree.

Onsite Study at a College Location

mentor with student At our locations, you have the opportunity to study in a variety of ways:

Guided Independent Study

Courses you and your faculty mentor create and complete working one-to-one. You will communicate regularly with your faculty mentor in-person, online or by telephone.

Study Groups

You will be a member of a small group of students who periodically meet in a seminar format.

Residencies

Some programs or topics of study include intensive weekend seminars allowing for you to explore subjects in depth in a group setting.

Cross Registration

You may take classes offered at other colleges and universities that meet your educational needs and satisfy your degree program requirements.

Online

Even when you are enrolled at one of our locations, you may choose to take an online course. Faculty mentors at our locations offer online courses, or you may choose an online course offered by our Center for Distance Learning.

Online Study

Through our Center for Distance Learning, undergraduate students may complete courses for their degrees entirely online. Distance learning students who live near a college location may also select from other college offerings. The School for Graduate Studies also offers online courses as part of their degree programs.

The college's online courses provide you with the opportunity to interact with faculty and students, and access a variety of online educational resources.