06/24/2025
Starting this fall, SUNY Cortland will offer a new online pathway to earning a bachelor’s degree for students who previously pursued a college education without finishing it.
The program will be the first fully online undergraduate offering at the university.
The new integrated studies major is aimed at nontraditional students and working professionals. It looks to maximize transfer credit and give college credit toward a bachelor’s degree for prior work experience, with students completing at least 30 credits through SUNY Cortland.
More information about the new program is available online at cortland.edu/igs.
SUNY Cortland defines nontraditional students as undergraduates who are 24 or older, the parents of dependent children, or individuals who paused their studies after high school.
“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.”
Online courses will emphasize the skills employers report are critical in many professions: communication, collaboration and critical thinking among them. Students also will learn about topics such as ethical decision-making and the importance of creating an inclusive work environment. According to a 2024 LinkedIn survey, nine out of 10 employers consider these soft skills more important than ever, and many hiring managers struggle to find employees who possess them.
SUNY Cortland enrolls approximately 175 nontraditional students who bring diverse life experiences to campus and who reflect a trend in higher education. This past spring, nearly 2.5 million students enrolled in an undergraduate program were 30 or older. That was a 3.5 percent increase from the prior year, according to National Student Clearinghouse data.
Adult learners are returning to school for many reasons: to stay competitive in the job market, to pave a new career path and to acquire valuable skills like the ones provided by this new opportunity.
“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.”
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.