Extended Learning

Jill Pippin, Dean
151 Marano Campus Center • 315-312-2270
www.oswego.edu/extended-learning

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States. SUNY Oswego is one of 64 institutions of the State University system that provides educational services to the people of New York; and strives to deliver its mission according to the guiding principles of the motto: “To Learn – To Search – To Serve.”

SUNY Oswego appreciates the potential that comes from continuing education and lifelong learning. Increasing numbers of adults now enroll in continuing education programs to achieve their educational objectives. As a response to this need for continuous education, SUNY Oswego established the Division of Extended Learning, which facilitates year-round opportunities for individuals to further their education including: part-time online and evening degree programs; online learning; off-campus classes at the branch campus in Syracuse and in the Watertown/Fort Drum area; testing and proctoring; Winter Session and Summer Sessions; intensive English programs; academic support; high school programs; youth programs; and support for veteran and military students. Adult education specialists at the College also design and deliver non-credit professional development programs and contract training to meet the needs of community groups and special audiences.

SUNY Oswego’s Division of Extended Learning is committed to providing access to high-quality education to people at all ages and stages of life and career.  The division creates, delivers and supports innovative and responsive credit and non-credit programming for diverse audiences.

The mission of the Division of Extended Learning is to:

1. expand access to the SUNY Oswego experience through the creation, delivery and support of innovative and responsive credit and non-credit programming for diverse audiences via multiple locations, modalities and services;
2. cultivate collaborative partnerships and provide superior customer service to ensure high quality lifelong learning opportunities.

SUNY Oswego currently offers online undergraduate completion degrees in Broadcasting and Mass Communication Major – B.A. Degree , Wellness Management Major – B.S. Degree , Public Justice Major – B.A. Degree  and Career and Technical Educator Preparation (all majors) – B.S. Degree , as well as an evening Business Administration Major – B.S. Degree . Courses are offered in a regular rotation that allows students to progress toward their degree on a part-time basis. Degree requirements are listed under the individual academic departments’ section in this catalog. Advisement for students in these degree programs (with the exception of Vocational Teacher Preparation) is provided by Extended Learning.  For more complete information on any of the online degree programs visit the Extended Learning website www.oswego.edu/extended-learning/.

SUNY Oswego offers courses through Open SUNY, a SUNY-wide collaboration that enables students to access courses, degrees, and professors at many SUNY campuses. Online courses have the same objectives, the same rigorous workload, and the same tuition rates and academic credit as classroom-based courses. Online courses are offered during spring, summer, fall, and winter terms. For more complete information on any of the online degree programs visit the Extended Learning website www.oswego.edu/extended-learning/.

The Division of Extended Learning provides student advisement and academic support services both on campus and at the Syracuse branch campus. In addition, advisement is available in the North Country in Watertown and at Fort Drum by appointment. Online orientation sessions are available every semester for new distance learning students. The Division also delivers information sessions to business and community groups upon request. Non-traditional students frequently have different needs and experiences than traditional students. It is important to consult with an academic advisor early about your specific needs and experiences, to do so call 315.312.2270. For more complete information on any of the online degree programs visit the Extended Learning website www.oswego.edu/extended-learning/.

SUNY Oswego offers a wide variety of online, face-to-face, and hybrid courses during Summer Sessions each year.  These courses are aimed at meeting the needs and interests of undergraduate and graduate students wishing to accelerate or transfer coursework required by their degree program.  Summer Sessions spans twelve weeks from May to August offering three, six and twelve week courses. During these condensed sessions students are permitted to earn up to fifteen credit hours.  For more information visit the Summer Sessions website at www.oswego.edu/summer/.

In addition to our regular Summer Sessions courses, students are afforded the opportunity to participate in an internship related to their degree program. Questions regarding internships should be directed to the Center for Experiential Learning.

Winter Session is offered each January over a three-week time frame. All courses are delivered online allowing students to make progress on their degree from wherever they are during the winter break. General Education courses, major courses, and popular elective courses are typically offered. During this concentrated session students are permitted to earn up to four credit hours. For more information visit the Winter Session website at www.oswego.edu/winter.

In addition to our regular Winter Session courses, students are afforded the opportunity to participate in an internship related to their degree program. Questions regarding internships should be directed to the Center for Experiential Learning. 

The Division of Extended Learning, in cooperation with academic departments, offers credit courses at off-campus locations in Northern and Central New York. Courses are extended to other community areas particularly for the convenience of working adults whose schedules, residence, or work sites restrict their access to programs and courses located on the Oswego campus. Off-campus locations include: the Syracuse branch campus; and in Watertown/Fort Drum at the Jefferson Higher Education Center in the North Country.

SUNY Oswego’s branch campus, located at the Metro Center in downtown Syracuse, provides in-demand educational opportunities that accommodate the busy schedules of non-traditional students and working professionals. The Syracuse campus offers undergraduate completion degrees, master’s degrees, and graduate certificates, all at affordable SUNY tuition rates. Classes are scheduled both at the Syracuse campus and online so students are not required to travel to Oswego. Advisement and other support services are also available on site. Students can transfer credits and complete undergraduate degrees in Business Administration Major – B.S. Degree, Human Development Major - B.A. Degree, and Public Justice Major – B.A. Degree; pursue an MBA or graduate degrees in Mental Health Counseling and Childhood Education; or obtain graduate certificates in Educational Leadership, Health Information Technology, and Integrated Health Systems.

The Syracuse campus also serves as a location for a variety of college and community events. It features classrooms and meeting spaces that can accommodate both large and small groups. Wireless internet is featured throughout the facility. Programs and events may be scheduled year-round during daytime, evening, or weekend hours. Those interested in programming opportunities may call 315-312-2321 or visit www.oswego.edu/syracuse.

SUNY Oswego High School Programs is proud to offer courses in high schools and on our main campus for high achieving, academically prepared high school ​students to earn college credit. These courses allow students to earn credit simultaneously toward their high school graduation requirements while they earn college credit. Students should contact their high school administrator or the Division of Extended Learning for eligibility and participation guidelines. 

The International Language and Education Center offers several programs that help speakers of other languages to increase their English proficiency.  Year round and summer programming offers international students opportunities to obtain transcripted credits or acquire language instruction through non-credit programs that include the following:  (non-credit, year-round) Intensive English Program; (credit) Summer Intensive English Program; (credit) English for Academic Purposes; and (non-credit) Genius Olympiad ESL.

The Summer Intensive English Program offers credit courses for beginner, intermediate, and advanced speakers of English as a Second Language. Students receive daily, formal instruction to improve their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. A number of other special programs are also held during Summer Sessions through collaboration between Extended Learning and various academic departments. For more complete information on any of the programs visit the Extended Learning website www.oswego.edu/extended-learning/international-language-education-center.

SUNY Oswego offers test administration, preparation and proctoring services for college course placement; faculty approved make-up exams; program specific testing; professional certification and graduate school exams.  We provide high-quality testing services to our community to ensure accessibility, convenience and test integrity.

Test administration services include the offerings of many nationally certified exams that include the following:  Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES); College-Level Examination Program (CLEP); Counselor Preparation Compressive Exam (CPCE); Miller Analogies Test (MAT); NYS Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE); and Safe Schools Healthy Students (SSHS).  Test preparation courses are also offered for GMAT, GRE and Notary Public examinations.

Test proctoring and make-up exam sessions are offered throughout the semester and are also available by appointment. Schedules, locations, costs, and registration instructions are available at www.oswego.edu/extended-learning/testing-services.

SUNY Oswego allows students to apply relevant learning, work and life experiences toward college credits through the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process. PLA is used to acknowledge college-level knowledge and skills that students acquire outside of formal higher education. Students may be able to fulfill some elective, major courses, and/or general education courses by going through the PLA process. Any active SUNY Oswego undergraduate student, enrolled in a degree program is eligible. SUNY Oswego will conduct an initial review of transcripts and discuss options for prior learning assessment as part of the Admissions or Transfer process. Accepted students are eligible to participate in assessment of prior learning activities.

A minimum of 30 program hours of credit in residence at SUNY Oswego is required to obtain a baccalaureate degree and the credit earned through prior learning assessment does not count toward the 30 hours of residency credit. Prior learning must match existing courses using the course description and course learning outcomes. Students may incur fees with the assessment of prior learning.

Course credit awarded via Prior Learning Assessment will be added to the student’s transcript as transfer credit with the title “PLA” as appropriate with a grade of “T.” Attributes will be applied to each course as appropriate such as Liberals Arts, Upper Division, etc. Students must consult with their academic advisor or the Division of Extended Learning to determine which PLA option may help them attain their academic goals. Students are responsible for addressing potential acceptance of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credits in the event of transfer to another college.

Along with other institutions of the State University of New York, SUNY Oswego is a member of the SUNY North Country Consortium that delivers higher education to residents in the North Country region and military personnel stationed at Fort Drum. Courses to support learning opportunities are offered in the Watertown area. Students may combine study there with on-campus and distance learning courses to complete their program. For more information visit our Extended Learning web site www.oswego.edu/extended-learning.

SUNY Oswego is dedicated to providing guidance, advice, advocacy and outreach services for our veteran and military student population to promote a successful transition to college life. A variety of resources are available to veteran and military students that include the following: a dedicated Veteran & Military Services Coordinator to assist in navigating campus policy, procedures and requirements; a VA Certifying Official to assist with VA benefit processing; and scholarships for military and non-traditional students; a Student Veterans of America (SVA) Chapter; and a Veterans’ Lounge. Information on services available to military students can be found at www.oswego.edu/veterans and the Veteran & Military Services Coordinator can be reached at 315-312-2270 or by email at veterans@oswego.edu.

The Reserve Officer Training Corps programs of the United States Army (Army ROTC) and Air Force (AFROTC) are available to SUNY Oswego students through an agreement with Syracuse University. Both programs lead to commission as a junior officer (second lieutenant) with programs of study varying from one to four years. Generous scholarship opportunities are available to undergraduate and graduate ROTC students. Students will complete their ROTC requirements with Syracuse University’s Army ROTC or AFROTC battalion while pursuing their degree at SUNY Oswego. For more information please visit the appropriate battalion’s website or contact an ROTC Admissions Officer. Army ROTC: armyrotc.syr.edu or 315-443-2462; Air Force ROTC: afrotc.syr.edu or 315-443-2461.