(AUBURN, New York – Feb. 6, 2020) SUNY Empire State College announced a new partnership today that will allow graduates of Cayuga Community College to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees through the SUNY Empire Learning Hub on the Cayuga Community College campus.  

SUNY Empire State College President Jim Malatras and Cayuga Community College President Brian Durant signed the agreement, which will seamlessly transfer as many as all 60 credits from Cayuga Community College toward a 124-credit bachelor’s degree at SUNY Empire. In addition to traditional transfer credit for courses completed at Cayuga, SUNY Empire also offers the opportunity for students to earn as many as 19 credits for work and life experience through its Prior Learning Assessment evaluation, which will help to reduce the overall cost of the bachelor’s degree. This could include military training, independent study, or volunteer work.

As Cayuga Community College invests in workforce development in the region, this new partnership helps the people of Cayuga County and Central New York reap the benefits of affordable bachelor’s and graduate degrees – and the statistically higher earnings that come with them – without needing to relocate. In addition to SUNY Empire’s local learning hub, all courses can be completed 100 percent online.

“Having SUNY Empire on the Cayuga Community College campus will provide a one-stop, seamless process for Cayuga students to continue their bachelor’s and master’s without leaving,” said SUNY Empire State College President Jim Malatras. “Thank you to President Durant, and to the faculty and staff who are committed to helping students continue their SUNY education.”

“This new agreement creates a fantastic opportunity for graduates of Cayuga Community College to seamlessly continue their education in the strong academic programs offered at SUNY Empire State College. As part of this agreement, our graduates can continue pursuing their career and education goals with the potential to earn a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Empire in just a single year,” said Cayuga Community College President Dr. Brian Durant. “We’re proud to partner with SUNY Empire to create this opportunity that is beneficial to our students and both our institutions.”

Under the partnership, SUNY Empire will waive the registration fee for applicants, and provide a $100 Presidential Scholarship to all transfer students. The agreement also extends to CCC employees, and helps lower the cost and time needed to complete a degree by awarding college credit for professional experience.

In addition to its Auburn location on the CCC campus, SUNY Empire State College has more than 30 campuses and learning hubs throughout New York state. Just last week, President Malatras celebrated the opening of SUNY Empire’s newest space in Garden City.

About Cayuga Community College

Founded in 1953, Cayuga Community College is one of 64 accredited institutions that make up the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Cayuga offers open access and an affordable gateway to higher education, with courses and degree programs offered at campuses in Auburn and Fulton, NY and online. Cayuga Community College provides a strong liberal arts foundation for further study and career preparation. The College also addresses identified community needs through targeted training and personal enrichment programs. By sustaining academic excellence within a supportive learning environment, the College, a careful steward of human and fiscal resources, serves as a valuable asset to the development of our local, regional, and global communities.

About SUNY Empire State College 

SUNY Empire State College educates students at any stage of life with a personalized learning experience delivered online, in person, or a blend of both. Since 1971, SUNY Empire has empowered students to earn an accredited degree around the demands of a busy lifestyle to advance their personal and professional goals. With world-class faculty, more than 1,300 dedicated mentors to help students tailor their degree programs, and cutting-edge distance learning technology, SUNY Empire delivers a trusted and flexible online college experience grounded in more than 30 New York state locations and seven international sites where students can learn and collaborate in person. Our nearly 50 years as a leader in awarding credit for prior learning and life experience helps students earn a degree faster and at lower cost. To learn more, visit www.esc.edu and follow @SUNYEmpire.