For in-state students, the estimated cost of tuition at CUNY is quite steep—$17,773 for those living at home and $31,851 for those living away from home. Among the 50 states in the US, New York ranks as the 7th most costly state for college attendance. 

Given these excessive prices, knowing that the CUNY School of Professional Studies offers many opportunities for students to receive credits through outside sources is a relief, including credit for non-collegiate learning.

Non-collegiate learning for CUNY SPS students

You may already be familiar with CUNY SPS’ Credit for Prior Learning for those with relevant experience in their field of expertise. But far less known is that the School also provides credit for non-collegiate learning, which significantly reduces tuition.

Non-collegiate learning allows students to gain credit for taking college-level education outside of CUNY SPS. But what does this really entail? 

For BS in Health Information Management students, you will have the option to complete online classes and certifications through platforms such as AHIMA for more than 33 credits. Nursing majors can complete multiple certificates through organizations such as the American Heart Association to earn credit for NURS 399, a guided independent study course. For those simply looking for elective credits, there are numerous certificate options, as listed on the web page for non-collegiate learning.

Free credits for BSIS majors through Coursera

Students in the BS in Information Systems program have a unique opportunity to earn free credits through Coursera certifications, whether employed or unemployed. Coursera is an online learning platform that allows anyone to access a wide range of courses, allowing individuals to enroll for free or receive a certificate upon payment.

If you happen to be an unemployed New Yorker, it is worth knowing that the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) offers a free Coursera account that allows you to obtain certificates without a fee. To sign up, you can follow the directions on their website. If you happen to work part-time, you may be able to receive a free Coursera account as the NYSDOL recognizes those working less than 30 hours or making less than $504 a week for unemployment benefits. However, it is a good idea to reach out and ask first. 

On the other hand, if you are fully employed or don’t live in New York, you can still take advantage of this opportunity. CUNY SPS recently partnered with Coursera and Grow with Google, a skills and career development initiative, to offer free Coursera licenses, valued at $39 per month. These licenses cover various certificates, including Project Management, Data Analytics, IT Support, IT Automation, and UX Design. This opportunity is exclusive to CUNY SPS undergrads, who may learn more here and reach out to [email protected] for further guidance. 

Financial support for non-collegiate learning certificates

And if neither of these options work for you, or you are a student looking to fund a certificate through another platform, you can potentially use the Professional Development Grant at CUNY SPS, which awards up to $250 per academic year. It is awarded on a case-by-case basis and requires you to show a clear demonstration of how the proposed activity aligns with your academic or professional goals.

Despite the potential benefits of non-collegiate learning opportunities through credit for prior learning at CUNY SPS, a significant majority of students, approximately 73%, are missing out on the chance to save both time and money on their required courses or electives. 

Some students might simply prefer to brush up on past skills through new courses, while others may be looking to expedite their degree completion. Nevertheless, we still hope to see more students recognize the value of these opportunities and take full advantage of the non-collegiate learning credits at CUNY SPS.