Adelphi University: Providing unique learning opportunities for intellectual, cultural and social growth
about.adelphi.edu
Adelphi University provides students with a learning experience that fully prepares them for successful and fulfilling careers through innovative programs, dedicated faculty, comprehensive support and services and diverse learning opportunities. Adelphi students graduate with the tools to compete and excel in their chosen fields, and the skills to engage with and fulfill the needs of their communities.
Welcoming students from around the corner and around the world, Adelphi provides an academic and social environment that encourages exchanges of perspective and ideas and supports personal and professional growth. Students also benefit from the rich intellectual and social opportunities and creative energy of nearby New York City.
The pages that follow present in greater detail the many facets of student life and learning at Adelphi University.
A Brief History of Adelphi University
Adelphi University’s roots reach back to 1863 and the founding of the Adelphi Academy, a private preparatory school in Brooklyn, New York. The Academy was incorporated in 1869 and its board of trustees was charged with establishing “a first-class institution for the broadest and most thorough training, and to make its advantages as accessible as possible to the largest numbers of our population.” The school quickly gained a reputation for its innovative curriculum, particularly in physical culture and early childhood education.
The appointment of Charles H. Levermore, Ph.D. as head of the Academy in 1893 was an important moment in Adelphi’s history. Realizing that the city of Brooklyn was without a liberal arts college, Dr. Levermore seized the opportunity to establish Adelphi College. Through the efforts of Timothy Woodruff, former lieutenant governor of New York State and future president of Adelphi’s board of trustees, Adelphi College, with 57 students and 16 instructors, was granted a charter—one of the earliest charters granted to a coeducational college by the Board of Regents of the State of New York—on June 24, 1896. Henceforth, diplomas issued bore the seals of Adelphi College and of the University of the State of New York and were signed by the officers of the College and by the chancellor and the secretary of the University. For the next 25 years, the Academy remained intact yet separate from the College.
Over the course of its history, Adelphi has grown and changed significantly. In 1929, Adelphi University became the first private, coeducational institution of higher education on Long Island. Since that time, more than 123,000 students have passed through our doors, leaving their mark on the University and the world beyond.
Today, Adelphi is thriving. Our colleges and schools include the College of Arts and Sciences; the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology; the Honors College; the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business; the College of Education and Health Sciences; the College of Nursing and Public Health; the School of Social Work; and the College of Professional and Continuing Studies. The University is led by Christopher Storm PhD, who was named interim president of Adelphi in 2025. As we continue to follow our Momentum 2 strategic plan, launched in 2022, the Adelphi community has come together to accomplish mutual goals centered on academic excellence, our connected and caring community, and smart growth and infrastructure.
Scholars throughout the University are making significant contributions to their disciplines. In recent years, Adelphi faculty members have been recognized as Fulbright Scholars, and have received funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Our schools and programs have received prestigious accreditations and many are ranked among the best in the nation. Currently, more than 7,600 students are thriving in our classrooms, in our programs, on our sports fields at the main Garden City campus and at centers in New York City, Hauppauge and Poughkeepsie. Our students have gone on to achieve awards and national recognition for their scholarship, service and leadership.
Adelphi also seeks to serve its locality, state and nation through the research and practice of its faculty, the strengthening of ties between the professional schools and community, cultural events at its campuses and, most essentially, the education of a generation of future leaders and informed citizens, professionals and community members.
Off-Campus Centers
To meet the needs of students and the wider community, Adelphi extends its reach beyond the Garden City campus through its centers in Manhattan, Hauppauge and the Hudson Valley, and in online and hybrid formats.
Manhattan Center
Opening in 2026, Adelphi University’s new Manhattan Center, located in the heart of midtown Manhattan at 529 Fifth Avenue, will offer academic programs and resources that are career-oriented, highly regarded and affordable. Adelphi welcomes students of all ages, from the United States and around the globe.
Highlights of Our New Manhattan Center
- Smart classrooms, clinical supervision space and lab rooms (including STEAM, nursing, health sciences and anatomy simulation labs)
- Library, computer lab, private study spaces and a student lounge
- Admissions, financial aid, registrar, advising and career services center
- Comfortable, light-filled open spaces on each floor for studying and relaxing
- Administrative and faculty offices, lounge and hoteling workstation spaces
- Student-centered resources, including gender-neutral restrooms, a lactation room and a prayer room
Until the Manhattan Center opens, Adelphi’s New York City programs will be held at its Brooklyn Center, located at St. Francis College, 179 Livingston Street.
Hauppauge Center
Our renovated 150 Motor Parkway location offers modern amenities in a well-lit space for in-person and hybrid bachelor’s, master’s, and certificate programs in social work, business and psychology. Conveniently located in a rapidly growing business and industrial community in Suffolk County, Long Island, the center can be accessed via the Long Island Expressway, Northern State Parkway, and Motor Parkway. On-site resources include advisers, library services, computer lab, and multimedia conference rooms.
Hudson Valley Center
Adelphi’s Hudson Valley Center is centrally located in Poughkeepsie, New York. Embracing a tradition of quality social work education for more than 30 years, the center’s strong academic foundation is enhanced by close working relationships with social service agencies throughout the Hudson Valley. The faculty, staff and administration provide individualized internship planning, professional and academic advisement. Graduates of the Center’s MSW program go on to work in the region’s most renowned agencies and provide an ever-expanding network of contacts for students. The Hudson Valley program offers individuals living and working in the region an opportunity to pursue their graduate social work education in a convenient location, as either full-time or part-time students. Courses are offered on weekday evenings and on Saturday. Criteria for admission, course content, and program requirements are identical to those at the Garden City campus.
Off-Campus Centers Graduate Programs of Study
Manhattan Center
Masters of Social Work (M.S.W.)
Education-all graduate programs excluding adolescent education and physical education
Hauppauge Center
Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
Hudson Valley
Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
Cultural and Campus Life
See Bulletin section for Cocurricular and Student Life
Colleges and Schools of the University
College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences offers students a rich, well-rounded education rooted in Adelphi’s liberal arts tradition. Students in our College find outstanding opportunities to explore their interests and build on their knowledge, awareness and understanding. We are home to more than 35 disciplines and 60-plus undergraduate and graduate programs in the humanities, arts, social sciences, STEM fields and interdisciplinary studies. Together, our programs are united by an emphasis on research competence, analytical skills, critical thinking, clear and effective expression, collaboration with peers and mentors, and hands-on learning in internships, research projects, fieldwork opportunities and study abroad. Our students receive personalized attention in small classes taught by faculty members who are dedicated to their success, and their studies are enriched by the diversity of students and perspectives they’ll find in our College.
The College is home to innovative programs, including the Levermore Global Scholars, “360” interdisciplinary classes, first-year seminars and interdisciplinary programs; experiential learning; quality instruction with award-winning faculty; and ambitious students who win Fulbright, Goldwater and other major awards.
Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology
The nation’s first university-based professional school of psychology, the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology has long distinguished itself with its emphasis on psychoanalytically informed and integrative clinical practice, empirical research and social justice. It is a comprehensive school that, though large in scope, emphasizes personalized mentorships in all its programs and endeavors. We offer our students a bachelor’s degree program, master’s degree programs in mental health counseling and school psychology, doctoral programs in clinical psychology and school psychology, and postgraduate programs in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. We also provide services to the neighboring community and clinical opportunities for graduate students at the Derner Hempstead Child Clinic and the Institute for Parenting. Our faculty members, known for significant contributions to the field of psychology, include winners of career achievement and other awards for research, practice and equity-related work from the American Psychological Association and other professional organizations, including international.
Honors College
Adelphi’s Honors College provides a unique learning environment for exceptional students from every major. A close-knit community, guided by faculty and alumni mentors, the Honors College offers challenging academics, high-level research opportunities and enriching cultural activities. Students take interdisciplinary seminars exploring ideas that have fascinated great thinkers for centuries; visit museums and theaters on group excursions to New York City; and complete their undergraduate experience with a senior thesis. Preparing engaged students for leadership roles in any field and for graduate study, the Honors College experience is a source of lifelong connections and collaboration among alumni, current students and faculty.
Robert B. Willumstad School of Business
Adelphi’s Robert B. Willumstad School of Business educates students to become leaders who impact local communities, society and the world. Experiential learning is central to our curriculum, and our Willumstad Winning Edge program for undergraduate students emphasizes internships, work experience and study abroad as ways to put classroom learning into practice, build business skills and develop a global perspective. Our MBA, MS and certificate programs deepen students’ knowledge, provide experience with the latest business technologies, and enhance analytical and decision-making skills. At the Willumstad School of Business, we are in the business of developing global thinkers, innovators and leaders who pursue careers with purpose.
The School was named in 2012 for Robert B. Willumstad, former president of Citigroup and chairman of Adelphi’s Board of Trustees, following his $9.5 million gift to support the School of Business.
Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences
The Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences is dedicated to education for well-being—an innovative approach that helps future professionals develop a deep understanding of their field as well as physical, socioemotional and intellectual strengths and resilience. The College’s School of Education, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Department of Health and Sport Sciences offer undergraduate and graduate programs, including rich field experience and residency programs as well as study abroad and service-learning opportunities. A variety of 4+1 and dual certification programs provide accelerated pathways to careers, while a focus on student success extends past graduation, with workshops and programs for alumni. The College’s goal is to transform the lives of its students, preparing them to transform the lives of those they teach, treat and work within their professional lives.
College of Nursing and Public Health
The College of Nursing and Public Health is a leader in the field of nursing education. One of fewer than 100 schools nationwide recognized by the National League for Nursing as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education and as a U.S. News & World Report Best College and Best Grad School for Nursing, it sets the standard for innovative teaching with hands-on learning in its state-of-the-art simulation lab, groundbreaking scholarship and research, and contributions to the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Known for preparing undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students for leadership roles in a variety of health settings and academia, the College is one of only 10 schools nationwide selected by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to participate in an initiative promoting leadership development, self-care and resilience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the College also emerged as a vital source of public health information for the public and national media. The College’s MPH program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health; its baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
School of Social Work
The School of Social Work lives its mission of social justice. A diverse community of students and faculty members, the School works in partnership with local organizations across the state of New York and beyond not just to improve lives, but also to bring about change. Founded more than 70 years ago, it offers undergraduate, master’s degree and doctoral students an outstanding education with an emphasis on hands-on learning through site-based practicums and the School’s annual social action initiative. We offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs at five locations, on Long Island and in Manhattan and the Hudson Valley, and a master’s program online. MSW students are eligible for scholarships up to $20,000 as well as specialized paid fellowships in behavioral healthcare, mental health and gerontology, among others. Dedicated to producing change makers in communities across the state, the School of Social Work is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Graduate School.
The College of Professional and Continuing Studies
The College of Professional and Continuing Studies (CPCS) is dedicated to helping adults at any age earn or complete a degree, advance their career, or change careers. We offer associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and nondegree certificate programs in business, liberal arts, allied health, technology, the social sciences and emergency management. All are designed for the flexibility busy students need. Classes are small and taught by experienced faculty with industry experience. Every student is provided with a dedicated adviser and support from tutors and career services professionals. Reduced tuition and generous policies regarding transfer credits and credit for prior learning make our programs especially affordable. Formerly known as the ABLE program and University College, CPCS is committed to student success and helping adults prosper in their professional and personal lives.
Department Codes
Numeric department codes are used when registering for courses, and three letter department codes are used on transcripts. The Department Code Tables, sorted two ways, show the correspondence between these coding schemes.
Undergraduate Program Information
To qualify for the award of a baccalaureate degree (B.A., B.S., B.B.A., B.F.A., B.S.W.), students must satisfactorily complete the following:
- The requirements for General Education (approximately 31-34 credits), which apply to all undergraduates; and
- The requirements for their chosen major (27 or more, depending on the major); and
- Credits in the liberal arts and sciences as required by NY State for the various bachelor’s degrees, as follows:
90 credits for a B.A.; 60 credits for a B.S.; 30 credits for other bachelor’s degrees, e.g. B.B.A., B.F.A., B.S.W.
This total can include all credits completed by a student, including those required for the major, for General Education, for the language requirements, and electives. “Liberal arts and sciences” generally includes courses in psychology, economics, and most courses within the College of Arts and Sciences, with the exception of studio art and music performance and instruction, but generally does not include courses towards professional degrees
- A minimum of 120 total credits, which includes the credits required for General Education and the major together with additional electives. The School of Nursing requires 124 credits for its generic degree. The School of Business requires 121 credits for its degrees.
The University awards the following Undergraduate Degree Programs to students who fulfill degree requirements. Following each undergraduate program title is its New York State Program Code, HEGIS Code and CIP Code. Program title and degree will appear on the academic transcript. Only the degree (ex. Bachelor of Arts) will appear on a student’s diploma. Students are advised that enrollment in other than registered or otherwise approved programs may jeopardize their eligibility for certain student aid awards.
Academic Minors
The University recognizes the following Academic Minors. Minors appear on the academic transcript. Minors do not appear on the diploma. Students wanting to declare a minor should do so by the first semester of their junior year, but by no later than the beginning of the first semester of their senior year. This will enable them to seek the advice needed to be able to complete the requirements of the minor. Some departments offer more than one minor track and new minors are being constantly developed. Students are advised to consult the department’s minor advisors as early in their studies as possible. The form used to declare the intention to pursue a minor has a place for the signature of the department chairperson and dean. Pass/Fail courses may not be applied to a minor. Students must achieve a minimum 2.00 GPA in their minor courses in order to have the minor listed on their transcript.
Graduate Program Information
The University awards the following Graduate Programs to students who fulfill degree requirements. Following each graduate program title is its New York State Program Code, HEGIS Code and CIP Code. Program title and degree will appear on the academic transcript. Only the degree (ex. Master of Arts) will appear on a student’s diploma with the exception of Graduate and Advanced Certificates. Students are advised that enrollment in other than registered to students who fulfill all degree requirements. Students are advised that enrollment in programs that are not registered or approved programs may jeopardize their eligibility for certain student aid awards.
Doctoral Program Information
The University awards the following Doctoral Programs to students who fulfill degree requirements. Following each graduate program title is its New York State Program Code, HEGIS Code and CIP Code. Program title and degree will appear on the academic transcript. Only the degree (ex. Doctor of Arts) will appear on a student’s diploma. Students are advised that enrollment in other than registered to students who fulfill all degree requirements. Students are advised that enrollment in programs that are not registered or approved programs may jeopardize their eligibility for certain student aid awards.
Definitions
- The New York State Program Code is the number on the Inventory of Registered Programs that is approved for degree granting by the New York State Department of Education.
- The HEGIS Code (Higher Education General Information Survey) was set up as part of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences.
- The CIP Code (Classification of Instructional Programs) is a taxonomic scheme developed by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Educational Statistics to support accurate tracking, assessment, and reporting of fields of study and program completions activity.
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