Programs for:

• College Students
• Executives & Professionals
• High School Students
• CU Alumni, Parents, & Friends
• Area Residents
• CU Faculty & Staff

Departments:

• Cornell's Adult University
• Distance Learning
• Executive Programs
• Extramural Study
• Summer College
• Summer Session
• Winter Session

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Origin

The School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions traces its roots to summer courses in geology, zoology, and entomology that were presented in the late 1870s. The courses were offered in the summer to take advantage of the season's natural outdoor classrooms and to allow elementary and secondary school teachers to further their education while their schools were not in session. The school continues in this tradition serving both nontraditional and traditional students by offering programs at the times--and in the formats and places--that best meet the needs of the students and the goals of the faculty.

Mission

The mission of the School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions is to present the broadest possible range of high-quality learning opportunities to all of Cornell's many constituencies. The school draws on the resources of all of Cornell's academic units, identifying needs and developing programs that most appropriately and effectively deploy Cornell's vast and varied, but nonetheless finite, educational resources. Cornell faculty members are joined by leaders in industry, government, and the professions, along with distinguished scholars from other institutions, to present these programs throughout the year.

You can read more about the School's mission here.

Audiences

The school's many and varied constituencies include school-age children; high school students; undergraduates and graduate students; international students; Cornell students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends; area residents; executives; retirees; and a broad range of persons seeking discretionary education, including people working worldwide in business, industry, government, and the professions, especially those at a high level of responsibility.

Educational Support

For Cornell undergraduate and graduate students, the Summer and Winter Sessions offer small classes and intensive, focused study on a limited number of subjects. These settings are particularly ideal for undergraduate students who want to concentrate on a single course (such as a medical school prerequisite); who want to change majors, add a second major, or prepare for study abroad (through immersion in a foreign language); or who want to extend their time at Cornell to pursue ambitious academic and career goals (like those in the Freshman Summer-Start program). In addition, the school offers area residents and Cornell employees year-round access to regular Cornell courses, both on a credit and a non credit basis. The Continuing Education Information Service is offered by the school to provide information to people and organizations both inside and outside of Cornell about educational opportunities the school offers as well as others offered throughout the university. The School helps students on their way towards undergraduate or graduate degrees by registering them in Cornell courses, but does not itself grant degrees.

Staff

The school's talented, experienced, and highly motivated professional and administrative staff members design, market, and administer the programs offered through the following departments of the school: Cornell University Summer Session, Executive and Professional Programs, Cornell University Summer College, Cornell's Adult University (CAU), Extramural Study, and Winter Session. An academic unit, the school is led by a dean (Glenn C. Altschuler).