Agreement expands access for adult learners pursuing Cornell's part‑time Bachelor of Professional Studies
Cornell University's School of Continuing Education (SCE) and SUNY Broome Community College signed an articulation agreement that creates a direct transfer pathway into Cornell's new online Bachelor of Professional Studies degree, strengthening both institutions' commitments to expanding educational access for New York learners.
The agreement enables eligible SUNY Broome students completing an Associate of Science degree in business administration to transfer eligible credits into Cornell's part‑time BPS program. By formalizing the partnership, the two institutions aim to help students plan their academic trajectories earlier and ensure their coursework aligns with Cornell's expectations.
Designed for adult learners balancing work, family and other responsibilities, Cornell's BPS degree offers flexible scheduling, engagement with university faculty and a curriculum focused on the skills needed in today's workforce.
Mary Loeffelholz, dean of Cornell SCE, said the program reflects Cornell's mission to broaden access to high‑quality education. "The degree emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to the challenges and opportunities facing humankind, including environmental sustainability, sustainable economic development, inclusive prosperity and access to meaningful, rewarding work," she said. "The Bachelor of Professional Studies thus extends Cornell's land grant mission 'to provide to the people of New York educational services of the highest quality, with the broadest possible access.'"
Jeff Anderson, SUNY Broome's associate vice president and dean of liberal arts and business and professional studies, said the partnership supports the college's commitment to inclusive excellence. "We're proud to be able to give our business learners yet another opportunity to achieve their professional and educational goals," he said.
Applications for the program's first major, Organizations, Markets and Society, will open in January 2027, with the inaugural cohort beginning in August 2027. Applicants must be at least four years beyond high school and have earned 45 to 60 transferable credits from a regionally accredited institution.
Courses will be delivered online, primarily asynchronously, allowing students to complete lectures and assignments on their own schedules. The curriculum consists of Cornell undergraduate courses taught by faculty from across the university and developed in collaboration with SCE and eCornell.
Students will graduate with a curated digital portfolio and have access to academic advising, career services tailored to adult learners, technical support for online learning and networking opportunities with Cornell faculty and peers.
"SUNY Broome is an ideal partner for us in this work - our first partner in building this new pathway," said Steven Jackson, Cornell's vice provost for academic innovation. "This collaboration gets to the heart of how we think about academic innovation at Cornell. It's not only about what happens in the classroom, but also about reimagining curriculum and rethinking how we support students and student communities."
