In keeping with its mission of outreach and extension, Cornell University's School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions (SCE) provides high-quality programs for students, professionals, and executives seeking to launch, change, or advance their careers.

"Absolutely phenomenal. Top-notch speakers. I learned valuable tools that I can use not only in the business environment, but also in day-to-day personal relationships."

Ann Aldrich, Administrative Management Institute

SCE's Professional Studies department deploys Cornell's vast educational resources to help participants:

  • Connect and collaborate with others in their field.
  • Learn from experts doing similar work in innovative and highly effective ways.
  • Enhance their productivity in a rapidly changing environment.
  • Build essential, real-world skills and knowledge.
  • Prepare for and tackle critical challenges.
  • Reduce the costs of doing business.

Learning opportunities include innovative career development institutes, certificate programs, internships, online classes, and part-time study for credit and noncredit. (See Programs & Courses.)

Our history

SCE's professional programs date back to the 1870s, when Cornell offered summer courses in botany, chemistry, drawing, entomology, geology, and zoology to take advantage of the season's natural outdoor classrooms and to serve elementary and secondary school teachers who wished to further their education while their schools were not in session. (See SCE history.)

"Excellent, well organized. Everything flowed. Relevant issues, expert speakers, not a moment wasted."

Janet Kodish, Institute for Computer Policy and Law