Oct 05, 2024  
The Elmira College Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025 Academic Year 
    
The Elmira College Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025 Academic Year

An Introduction to Elmira College


Elmira College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college in the southern Finger Lakes region of New York State.

Each academic program is built upon a strong general education in the liberal arts and sciences, with a blending of hands-on, immersive learning with industry-level knowledge and the liberal arts tradition. Students also participate in field experiences or projects related to career goals, and the College provides a wide range of other off-campus learning options, including a Community Engagement and Internship requirement.

The College seeks to blend theory with practice beyond the classroom with co-curricular experiences in intercollegiate athletics, career planning, campus life, student activities, and student leadership opportunities-all of which complement academic programs.

There is more to a college, however, than its majors, courses, and co-curricular programs. Elmira College takes pride in the talent, commitment, and dedication of its faculty and staff. Additionally, alumni and friends contribute greatly to the success of the College and to the quality of education it offers.

We take equal pride in the more intangible but equally important human dimensions of our people-their spirit of caring, empathy, openness and sensitivity. We believe these qualities are crucial in helping students develop their own paths of exploration and self-discovery. The holistic development of our students is at the heart of the mission of Elmira College and a key component of its tradition of intellectual and personal growth.

Elmira College Mission Statement

Grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, Elmira College strives for excellence in both general and professional education, providing a collaborative and supportive environment that enables students to become active learners, effective leaders, responsible community members, and globally engaged citizens. Proud of its history and tradition, Elmira College is committed to the ideals of diversity, environmental sustainability, experiential learning, community engagement, and intellectual and personal growth.

Accreditation and Memberships

Elmira College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Second Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (267) 284-5000. The Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Secretary of Education and the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. Elmira College is registered for teacher education by the New York State Education Department. Elmira College is a member of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). Pursuant to §52.21 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, the educator programs offered by Elmira College are considered to be continuously accredited for purposes of meeting the New York State requirement that all such programs maintain continuous accreditation. The Nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Inc., 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000, https://www.acenursing.org/.

The College is a member of The National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Council of Independent Colleges, and other national and regional councils and associations.

Charter and Curricula

Founded in 1855, Elmira College is chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York. Curricula are registered with the New York State Education Department and are approved for the education of veterans and dependents of deceased and one hundred percent disabled veterans. The College is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.

Academic Programs

Graduation and major requirements serve as guides for students and academic advisors in the planning of individual degree programs. They represent the basic accomplishments necessary for an earned certificate or degree and reflect the College’s philosophy of education. Formal on-campus instruction is enhanced through Elmira College’s Field Experience programs and other special academic opportunities. Students may spend the Spring Term in a variety of important programs such as studying marine biology on the Bahamian island of San Salvador or select other Elmira College study abroad opportunities.