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Introduction
What is Early College?
Through signed agreements with our high school partners, SUNY Empire provides dual enrollment opportunities that allow high school students to earn high school and college credit simultaneously. College-level courses are integrated into students’ high school schedules and supported by academic advising and guidance from high school staff.
The Early College Programs team at SUNY Empire serves as the central hub of communication and coordination with high school partners. The team works closely with schools to establish and maintain partnerships, coordinate program implementation, provide guidance and support, facilitate communication across SUNY Empire and high school stakeholders, and ensure that students, instructors, and school administrators have the information and resources needed for a successful Early College experience. The team also serves as a primary point of contact throughout the partnership, helping to streamline processes, address questions, resolve issues, and connect high schools with the appropriate SUNY Empire departments and resources.
Contact us! EarlyCollegePrograms@sunyempire.edu
Overview
- Eligible high school students earn college credit while fulfilling their high school graduation requirements. Students are qualified by their high school to participate.
- Provides a head start on college completion.
- Helps reduce overall tuition costs.
- Allow students to explore future career pathways early.
Program Structure
- Courses are embedded into the regular high school day schedule.
- Students remain fully enrolled in their high school.
- Credits apply toward both high school graduation requirements and college degree pathways and credentials. The credits toward a degree or credential are subject to the receiving institution's transfer and applicability policies.
- Follows New York State Education Department (NYSED) and State University of New York (SUNY) requirements and guidance.
- Agreements are in place between high schools and SUNY Empire to protect course integrity.
Instruction & Support
- Coursework is typically delivered through the learning management system (LMS), Brightspace. For New York City Public Schools, delivered through their LMS, iLearnNYC.
- High school teachers are vetted by SUNY Empire departments to ensure academic qualifications are met. Teachers are responsible for teaching content and providing students with academic support.
- Course learning is integrated into students’ daily classroom schedules, with additional coursework and activities completed through the online LMS.
- In some cases, courses are taught directly by SUNY Empire faculty (less common).
- Programs maintain college-level rigor with structured support systems.