History
Founded in 1980 as part of Cornell University's Institute for Women and Work, a forum which addressed the inequities of women in the workplace, the Off-Campus College was an educational cornerstone of the Cornell School of Industrial And Labor Relations for 27 years. Over the course of its history as part of the ILR, the Off-Campus College has provided higher education opportunities for women (and men since 1983) in preparation for advancement in the work place.

As of June 30, 2007, the City University of New York will welcome the Off-Campus College to its new home at the CUNY School of Professional Studies. As a program partner to the CUNY School of Professional Studies, the Off-Campus College will seamlessly continue to serve the 250 students currently enrolled and will preserve its unique identity as a program that delivers curriculum tailored to the academic and employee development needs of both students and organizational partners. It will also maintain its focus on action research in the field of adult learning and the workplace.

In its mission of advancing the world of work, the Off-Campus College has introduced employees to the history, sociology, and behavior of organizations through studies in communication, finance, and management. It has pioneered partnerships with New York based organizations and corporations to provide employees with workplace focused certificate programs, both credit and non-credit. Now, at the CUNY School of Professional Studies, the Off-Campus College will continue to be an important bridge to further college study.


Mission
The CUNY Off-Campus College at the School of Professional Studies works with organizations to help employees take the necessary steps to develop in their professions while pursuing a college education. For 27 years, the Off-Campus College has employed an adult learning and development model which holds written and interpersonal communication skills as the foundation of every course offered. We are proud of the consistent satisfaction of our partner organizations and of the success of the employees.

The CUNY Off-Campus College provides flexible cohort-based programs in small classroom settings that enable students to lead their own personal development inside and outside of the workplace and improve their ability to lead work teams, from whatever position they occupy on those teams.

Our curriculum concentrates on bridging theory and practice-a technique that has both immediate and long lasting implications for employees and their organizations. In addition to providing key workplace competencies and training, instructors skillfully customize course outlines to address issues particular to employee and employer situations. The result delivers a finely-tailored curriculum that students and partners cannot find elsewhere.

The CUNY Off-Campus College at the School of Professional Studies provides working students with an opportunity to pursue higher education. The program aims to enhance students' job performance and satisfaction through a workplace-focused curriculum. While earning college credit, students will continue to make valuable contributions on the job and increase their potential to offer additional skills and talents at work.