Alfred University’s AUNY program offers non-traditional students—such those already established as professionals in their field, adult learners, commuters, or students wishing to pursue a degree part-time—the opportunity to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees at a pace that fits their busy schedules.
AUNY is a division of Alfred University’s School of Graduate and Continuing Studies that offers classes at two off-campus locations: AU-NYC, with three convenient locations in the New York City metropolitan area, and AUNY Corning, in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York.
AUNY Corning, through a partnership with SUNY Corning, offers programs that are presented in a format that accommodates individuals who are working full-time and unable to attend traditionally structured degree programs. Classes meet in the evening, on weekends, or online. The AUNY Corning programs—which include master’s degrees in Literacy, and Inclusive and Special Education, and a bachelor’s degree completion program in Early Childhood/Childhood Education—are offered in an accelerated format, with classes occurring year-round.
“The AUNY Corning programs are designed for students who are unable to attend a traditional residential college due to everyday life circumstances such as work, family or the inability to relocate,” Justin Grigg, associate dean of the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies commented. To accommodate those students, he said, classes meet in a variety of modalities on evenings and/or Saturdays, enabling students to fit their education into their already busy lives.
“The AUNY Advantage focuses on offering high-quality programs in a convenient format and at an affordable price,” Grigg said. “Last but not least, all the AUNY Corning programs utilize a cohort model; we aim to build relationships with educators throughout the region, strengthening their ability to remain lifelong learners.”
Two Alfred University alumnae, Laci Tuttle ’18, MSEd ’21, and Elizabeth Williams ’19, MSEd ’21, can attest to the value of their AUNY degrees.
After earning an associate degree from Corning Community College, Williams transferred to SUNY Corning’s AUNY program and earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood/childhood education in 2019. She went on to earn a master’s degree in literacy education in 2021, completing her degree requirements in a year. Today, she is kindergarten/first grade “loop” teacher in the Canisteo-Greenwood Central School District. (A loop teacher is responsible for a kindergarten class and then moves up to teach those same students in first grade.)
“I learned about this program while receiving my associate degree at Corning Community College,” she said. “The smooth transitions from associate to bachelor's to graduate (degrees) was very appealing.”
Williams said although Alfred was closer to her than Corning, she chose to enroll in the AUNY program at SUNY Corning because of the flexibility of hours and affordability.
“I chose the AUNY SUNY Corning program because of the evening/weekend flexibility and because of the unbeatable tuition costs,” she said. “When I completed my master's degree, the other SUNY schools were $6,000 more than the AUNY SUNY Corning program. This allowed me to complete my master’s degree debt free! This was a huge relief for me as a new teacher.”
Tuttle earned an associate degree from Corning Community College in 2016 before enrolling at Alfred University’s main campus and then earning a bachelor's degree in early childhood/childhood education in 2018. In 2021, she earned her master’s degree in literacy education from the AUNY program at SUNY Corning. Tuttle is currently an instructor at SUNY Corning, teaching education courses.
She said peers told her about the opportunities provided through the AUNY program while she was taking education classes at SUNY Corning. Like Williams, she was attracted to the program because of the non-traditional hours it offered. “This program fit my needs as I needed to stay local, and the evening classes allowed me to fulfill other roles such as being a mother,” she said.
Tuttle said among the greatest benefits of her going through the AUNY program was the support she received during her time there. “I had connections and a strong base of educators and peers throughout the program that were supportive, and we had many opportunities to learn from one another,” she said.
Williams spoke glowingly of the AUNY teaching staff at SUNY Corning.
She cited Julie Dick, AUNY Corning education field placement coordinator and senior instructor, and Deb Flint, AUNY program coordinator, who “worked very diligently to prepare us for the real world of teaching,” as well as Todd Goho, who taught a technology-related class, and Jackie Eason, adjunct professor of special education and literacy, from whom she took a class in special education. “These faculty are warm and truly wanted us to succeed,” Williams said.
“As I write these faculty memories, I think the common theme is the value that the AUNY SUNY Corning program has with instructors who have been or are currently in the field of elementary education themselves. Teachers teaching teachers is truly such an asset!”
Grigg said enrollment in AUNY Corning degree offerings programs is very much driven by word-of-mouth testimonials from students who are currently enrolled or have gone through the program. “It’s super grass roots. (Former students) say ‘I went there, and it was really good for me’.” For more information about the AUNY Corning programs please feel free to email Deb Flint: [email protected]”
