Elmira College - Overview
Co-ed Liberal Arts College Holds Many Distinctions
Elmira College is a private liberal arts college located in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York.
Founded in 1855, Elmira holds an important place in history as the first college in the world established to offer women the same level of education and university degrees as men. In 1969, this women's college became a co-educational institution. Today its enrollment stands at about 1,200 students.
Elmira is the only college in the nation to require, and give credit for, both community service and a career-related internship. It is known for a curriculum that combines liberal arts with a professional education component, and a humanities core that blends community service, internship, and technology literacy with an appreciation of the arts.
Phi Beta School Recognized as One of the Nation's Best
In 2010, "U.S. News and World Report" ranked Elmira College as one of the best baccalaureate colleges in the North.
Elmira is one of only 268 colleges and universities in the nation to have a Phi Beta Kappa charter from the prestigious honor society. It is also one of only 2 centers for Mark Twain studies in the world.
Notable alumni include author, screenwriter, and producer Fay Kanin, former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; poet and novelist Ellen S. Tifft; psychic and parapsychologist Chip Coffey; and controversial anthropologist and behaviorist John Baker.
Academic Calendar Combines Study with Experience
Elmira requires, and guarantees, a community service experience, a career-related internship, and attendance at a series of performing arts events. This is reflected in a distinctive 3-term calendar that sets it apart from other liberal arts colleges.
Students attend 2 full, 12-week terms in the fall and winter and then enroll in a special 6-week, intensive spring term ("Term III"). This gives them an opportunity to study abroad, intern, do research or independent study, or take classes not related to their majors to enrich their educational experience.
Some specialized courses are taken during this term, such as lower-level student teaching courses for education majors. Several courses are taught in foreign countries as part of the college's study abroad program.
Variety of Undergraduate Degree Programs
Elmira offers majors in about 35 areas of study, each leading to either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree upon a successful completion of undergraduate studies.
Popular majors at Elmira include business and commerce, elementary education and teaching, and psychology. The college furnishes degrees in many standard subjects in the sciences, the arts, languages, and the social sciences, such as biology, sociology, and Spanish. At the same time, Elmira also offers more specific profession-oriented majors, such as medical technology, nursing, accounting, criminal justice, and human services.
Minors are offered in more than 20 subjects. Secondary teaching certificates are available in many subject areas.
Specialty Degree Programs and Pre-Professional Studies
A 3-2 program in chemical engineering with Clarkson University is offered, combining 3 years of course work in chemistry at Elmira College with 2 years in chemical engineering at Clarkson University. Upon successful completion of all degree requirements at both institutions, students are awarded the appropriate bachelor's degree from Elmira College (B.A. or B.S.) and a Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) from Clarkson University.Elmira College and the schools of business at a number of colleges and universities have cooperated in establishing 4-plus-1 programs which permit qualified students to earn a bachelor's degree at Elmira College and then, approximately 1 year later, either an M.S. degree in accounting or an M.B.A. degree in general business. Elmira also offers courses that prepare students for admission to a professional school of medicine, osteopathy, or dentistry. Students taking this path generally elect majors in biology, biology-chemistry, or chemistry, although majors in other fields are possible.
Army and Air Force R.O.T.C. Programs
Elmira College offers an Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) program on campus for eligible students. An Air Force R.O.T.C. program is offered with Cornell University through a cross-enrollment agreement.
Dedicated Faculty at Elmira
Members of the faculty are chosen for their ability in and dedication to teaching. All full-time faculty members serve as advisers, and the faculty approves all academic programs. Average class size is 16, with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Current faculty totals about 120. Most faculty members hold the Ph.D. or highest degree necessary for undergraduate instruction.
Study Abroad Opportunities
Each year, Elmira College offers a wide range of exciting off-campus learning opportunities. During the spring Term III period, students have traveled with faculty to areas such as San Salvador in the Bahamas, Spain, France, Russia, Italy, Germany, Ecuador, Scotland, the Czech Republic, Peru, Egypt, Belgium, Greece, Australia, Alaska, and Hawaii.
Quintessential College Campus in Finger Lakes
Elmira College is located in Elmira, New York, a city of 35,000 in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. The campus is a 10-minute walk from downtown Elmira, and the Chemung County Transit System stops near campus. The city of Elmira offers a variety of community activities and facilities open to students, including a performing arts center, Elmira Symphony, museums, movies, eateries, and outdoor recreational facilities. The lush, 55-acre campus is frequently described as "picture-postcard perfect" and is widely considered to be a quintessential American college campus, characterized by acres of brick walkways, fountains, iris gardens, and collegiate Gothic buildings. Some of the college's buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.