Become a Partner

Today’s increasingly complex world requires an increasingly skilled workforce. When you partner with SUNY Empire, you help ensure that your employees, members and students have access to the high-quality, affordable education that can make a real difference in your organization…and to your bottom line.

We partner with dozens of corporations, businesses, community organizations and associations throughout New York state. Our faculty mentors have deep expertise in many of our economy’s key industries, and our convenient online and onsite study options make it easy for students to earn degrees leading to state credentials, certifications and promotions.

Partnership Benefits

Partnership benefits are available to employees, members and students of partnering corporate and community organizations. Benefits include:

  • Orientation fee waiver for degree or certificate programs ($50 for degree and certificate programs)
  • A one-time $100 Better Together scholarship, which will be applied to the student’s first term of enrollment in a degree or certificate program. Students must be enrolled past day 28 of the term to remain eligible for the scholarship.

Students applying through a partnership program must provide a valid partnership code at time of application to receive partnership benefits. This code can be obtained from the designated representative at the partner organization.

Take the First Step

Interested in partnering with SUNY Empire? Contact our Office of Partnerships at 800-847-3000, ext. 2851, or email Partners@SUNYEmpire.edu.

If you work or belong to a partner organization and are interested in enrolling at SUNY Empire, contact us for enrollment information.

Partnership Programs for:

Community

Empire State University develops credit-bearing programs to meet the needs of community organizations across New York state. For more information about community partnerships, email us at Partners@SUNYEmpire.edu or call 800-847-3000 ext. 2851.

Community College Pathways

If you graduate from a SUNY or CUNY community college in New York state, you’ll benefit from seamless transfer into our bachelor's degree programs. You can transfer your entire associate degree (up to 79 credits) and finish your bachelor’s degree where you live through primarily online classes. We also have partnership agreements with many out-of-state community colleges.

Corporate

SUNY Empire will create customized credit-bearing programs to meet your company’s specific workforce development needs. When you partner with us, you build a staff of profession-ready employees and future business leaders who are more likely to remain loyal to your company. Partnership benefits are available to employees, members and students of partner corporate and community organizations.

Government Agencies

SUNY Empire offers cutting-edge programs in Emergency Management and Homeland Security in cooperation with the Emergency Management Institute, the National Fire Academy and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Our bachelor’s degree programs are designed to meet the needs of first responders, military personnel and other government employees.

Graduate and Academic Institutions

Empire State University also partners with 4-year colleges and other academic institutions to provide educational pathways to graduate or undergraduate degree programs that enhance the education and careers of participating students.

Healthcare

Rapid growth in the healthcare industry creates an increased need for highly skilled professionals who can manage within healthcare facilities and organizations. SUNY Empire provides educational solutions to address the specific needs of healthcare organizations and to help employees and members advance their education and careers.

Labor Unions

Give your members access to the training, skills and knowledge they need to get and stay at the top of their professions. The International Union of Police Associations, United Steelworkers of America, the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association all partner with us to make affordable, high-quality education accessible to their members. Find out how your organization can benefit from partnership, too.

Military and Veterans

SUNY Empire has developed strong military and veteran partnerships to meet the academic needs of active duty, guard, reserve and veteran service members. In addition to ArmyIgniteED, we support members of all five branches of the military. We are also a member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) and a Department of Defense MOU signatory.

Participating Partners

We invite your business or organization to join our growing list of participating partners