Cornell University School of Continuing Education

About SCE

Origin

SCE traces its roots to summer courses in geology, zoology, and entomology that were presented in 1876, only eight years after the opening of the University. These courses were offered in the summer to take advantage of the season's natural outdoor classrooms and to give elementary and secondary school teachers an opportunity to further their education while their schools were not in session. We continue in this tradition today by offering programs at times and in places and ways that best meet the needs of our students and the goals of our faculty.

Established in 1892, the Cornell University Summer Session is one of the oldest programs of its type in the United States, and it continues today as one of the most highly regarded of its kind among peer institutions. Besides a broad range of academic programs, SCE offers a wide variety of summer concerts, lectures, and special events, which are free and open to the public. Many of these events are scheduled for outdoor locations to take full advantage of our campus's unique beauty and location.

Another of our departments, Cornell's Adult University (CAU), has received considerable national publicity. Established in 1968, CAU provides on- and off-campus seminars, study tours, cruises, and family programs for Cornell alumni and friends. These offerings have been widely emulated by peer institutions and have been featured in such publications as InStyle, Time, and Arthur Frommer's travel guides.

Mission

SCE's mission is to present the broadest possible range of high-quality learning opportunities to Cornell's many constituencies. We draw 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 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.

Audiences

Our many and varied constituencies include school-age children; high school students; Cornell students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends; undergraduates and graduate students from institutions world-wide; international students and scholars; area residents; executives; retirees; and a broad range of individuals seeking discretionary education, including people working worldwide in business, industry, government, and the professions, especially those at a high level of responsibility. For more information, see People.

Educational opportunities

SCE is dedicated to offering educational opportunities in as many subject areas and formats as possible, year-round, and, if we don't have what you're looking for, we'll help you design it.

Options include credit and non-credit courses, full semester classes and one-day executive seminars, on- and off-campus programs, online learning opportunities, education vacations, and internship programs.

Classes are taught by Cornell faculty members; leaders in higher education, industry, and government; and distinguished scholars from around the world.

See the Courses/programs, Semesters, and Locations links for more information.

Advising

SCE's Continuing Education Information Service provides information to people and organizations both inside and outside of Cornell about the educational opportunities we offer, as well as others offered throughout the university.

Degrees

Although we help students working toward degrees by registering them in Cornell courses, SCE does not itself grant degrees.

Be sure to also visit our Outreach and Staff pages.