College of Staten Island of the City University of New York - Overview
The CSI Experience
The College of Staten Island (CSI) is a four-year college of the City University of New York (CUNY) and one of the 11 senior colleges in the CUNY Consortium.
CSI has a sizeable enrollment of both full- and part-time students, a wide variety of programs of study, and very affordable tuition and fees. The majority of CSI students are found in the majors of nursing, emergency medicine, and liberal arts.
Many advantages distinguish CSI from other schools of similar size including its large on-campus library, its study abroad option, the availability of distance learning, a weekend study option, and part-time schedules. In addition, the multicultural mix at CSI is highly representative of the surrounding communities, from which 97 percent of students come.
Broad Array of Associate and Bachelor's Degrees
CSI offers almost 50 undergraduate degree and certificate programs in the liberal arts and sciences as well as in professional studies, leading to associate and bachelor's degrees.
The school groups academic departments together within the larger categories of humanities and social sciences, or science and technology. The Division of Humanities and Social Sciences includes the Business, Education, English, History, Media Culture, Modern Languages, Performing and Creative Arts, Political Science, Economics, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology/Anthropology, and Social Work Departments.
The Division of Science and Technology includes the Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering Science and Physics, Library, Mathematics, Nursing, and Physical Therapy Departments.
CSI's general education program helps undecided students discover how to integrate all of the courses from their undergraduate studies to determine a specific interest.
In addition to the broad undergraduate offerings, CSI also has master's, post-master's, and doctoral programs.
Largest New York Campus
There are a number of important areas where CSI stands out compared to other schools of its size in the nation, beginning with its unique, beautiful campus. Completed in 1994, the 204-acre campus of CSI/CUNY is the largest site for any college, public or private, in New York City.
The campus is centrally located on Staten Island, set in a park-like landscape with mature trees and woodlands, fields and outdoor athletic facilities, the "great lawn," modern and traditional sculpture, and seating areas creating something of a rural oasis in an urban setting. It is a perfect setting in which to welcome adults -- a large portion of the student body -- back into the academic world.
Honors Program and University Scholars Program
The Honors College at CSI offers a challenging curriculum and an enriched extracurricular environment for a select number of students. It is especially geared toward those who intend to continue their education in graduate or professional schools. Students who have earned a high school academic diploma with an average of at least 90 are eligible to apply for admission to the Honors College.
CSI also participates in the CUNY Honors College University Scholars Program. Students who are accepted into the CUNY Honors Program will participate simultaneously in the Honors Colleges of both CSI and the university.
Comprehensive Support and Student Services
CSI believes students flourish more in a nurturing environment, so it offers academic support services like early morning classes, a Learning Center, a pre-admission Summer Program, various forms of remedial instruction, and study skills assistance and tutoring. To support and reflect the variety of its student body, CSI also provides a variety of educational options like cross-registration, distance learning, double majors, ESL, an Honors Program, independent study, internships, student-designed majors, study abroad opportunities, teacher certification, and weekend classes.
When a student needs counseling or other types of support, CSI responds with adult (re-entering) student services, alcohol/substance abuse interventions, campus ministries and chaplain services, and career counseling. Economically Disadvantaged Student Services help low-income students, while all students benefit from available financial aid counseling, comprehensive health services, on-campus daycare, personal counseling, job placement service, veterans counseling, and women's services.
Students with disabilities are aided as well, with programs, services, and facilities designed for students with learning disabilities, hearing impairments, and vision problems.
Rural Setting with Big City Access
CSI is well integrated into its urban setting. Though beautifully rural, the school is only 10 miles from downtown Manhattan, so the entire city of New York is available to students, faculty, and staff for educational, cultural, recreational, and entertainment outlets.