SUNY Cortland Announces New Online Program For Adults

SUNY Cortland has announced beginning this fall semester, the college will be offering a new online opportunity for adults to earn a bachelor’s degree who had previously pursued a college education without finishing it. The program, SUNY Cortland says, will be the first fully online undergraduate offering at the college.

SUNY Cortland continued on to say the new integrated studies major will be aimed at nontraditional students and working professionals. It will maximize transfer credits and give college credit towards a bachelor’s degree for prior work experience with students completing at least 30 credits through SUNY Cortland.

“These students are motivated lifelong learners, extraordinary time managers and everyday examples that it is never too late to pursue a college education,” said Kimberly Rombach ’88, M ’93, associate dean of the university’s School of Education, where the program is housed. “Our university wants to create more opportunity for them to benefit from a Cortland education.”

The college defines nontraditional students as those who are 24 years or older, parents of dependent children, or individuals who paused their studies after high school. The online courses offered will emphasize skills to which employers have deemed critical in their respective field. This will include communication, collaboration and critical thinking. 

“For some nontraditional students, completing a bachelor’s degree may accomplish a lifelong goal that was put on hold,” Rombach said. “It may also serve as motivation for future generations. Regardless of where someone started their college education, they can be proud to finish at SUNY Cortland.”

Cortland says, it will also provide students with teachings about topics such as ethical decision making and the importance of creating an inclusive work environment. Currently, the college has about 175 nontraditional students enrolled and have brought diverse life experiences to campus. SUNY Cortland says the Spring 2025 semester for colleges had almost 2.5 million students enrolled in an undergraduate program who were 30 years or older, a 3.5% increase from 2024.

Cortland says prospective students should contact Justin Neretich ’17, community engagement and academic coordinator in the Extended Learning Office, at justin.neretich@cortland.edu or 607-753-5772 to learn more about the integrated studies program. More information may also be found HERE.