“People have jobs, families and responsibilities that may
prevent them from taking classes during daytime hours,” said Yvonne
Petrella, SUNY Oswego dean of Extended Learning. “We offer a
wide variety of opportunities and educational resources so we ensure
all learners, including working professionals, can achieve their
academic dreams.”
SUNY Oswego’s Division of Extended Learning offers
nontraditional students a flexible approach to learning, including a
range of evening (after 5:30 p.m.) and online courses that are offered
on a rotating basis: spring, summer, fall and winter. The division
offers courses at the lakeside campus in Oswego, the Phoenix Center in
Phoenix, the Metro Center in downtown Syracuse and online.
“Online courses let a student be in class at 2:30 in the
morning if they so choose,” said Tom Ingram, director of SUNY Oswego’s
Division of Extended Learning. “The number of courses we’re offering
online continues to increase and we’re committed to continue to grow
our online offerings.”
Students who take an online course are not required to be
in attendance at a specific time. The courses originate from SUNY
Oswego and have a faculty member who teaches them. Students communicate
with classmates and their instructor via e-mail and through a
discussion forum.
“According to our industry associations, the number of
Americans in today’s workforce who left college before earning a degree
is about 28 percent,” Petrella said. “The majority of professional jobs
today require an undergraduate degree which is most likely a large part
of the increase in the number of nontraditional students returning to
college.”
Part-time, undergraduate degree programs are currently
offered in four areas: Accounting, Business Administration, Information
Science and Public Justice as well as a minor in Economics. In
addition, online degree-completion programs are offered in Public
Justice, Broadcasting and Mass Communications, and Vocational Teacher
Preparation.
Financial aid and scholarships are available for
part-time and returning adult students. Transfer credit accepted from
other institutions can reduce the length of time necessary to acquire a
degree.
The Division of Extended Learning also offers non-credit
opportunities at the Metro Center and the Phoenix Center and is
dedicated to the advancement of professional excellence and skills
development. Professional certificates in Event Management, Leadership,
Succession Planning and Customer Service are available at the Metro
Center.
Graduate courses leading to master’s degrees and graduate
certificates also are offered at both of these locations as well as at
the lakeside campus in Oswego.
Working with business, government and nonprofit
organizations, the Division of Extended Learning develops customized,
innovative training designed with real world, bottom line results. Our
team of instructors and consultants has expertise in areas such as
Leadership Skills Development, Succession Planning, Notary Public
Training and customized computer skills training. We also offer courses
and certificate programs in cooperation with the American Management
Association (AMA).
For more information about part-time study options,
contact the Division of Extended Learning by phone at 312-2270; e-mail:
extlearn@oswego.edu; or online at www.oswego.edu/extendedlearning.
