Cornell University is set to become the first Ivy League institution to provide incarcerated individuals with the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree while in prison. The university's expanded Cornell Prison Education Program (CPEP) plans to inaugurate a three-year Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) program at Cayuga Correctional Facility in August 2027. This initiative marks a significant development in higher education access for the incarcerated population.
"We do this work in the pursuit of breaking the cycles of crime and incarceration — making a safer and more just society for all." A spokesperson for the Cornell Prison Education Program
The new bachelor’s program will be hosted at Cayuga Correctional Facility, a medium-security men's prison situated in Moravia, New York, approximately 20 miles from Cornell's main campus in Ithaca. The initial major approved for the program is "Organizations, Markets and Society," an interdisciplinary field combining coursework from business, public policy, and social sciences. This curriculum is designed to equip students with a robust understanding of economic and societal structures.
Cornell anticipates enrolling an initial cohort of 12 to 18 incarcerated students into the BPS program. The curriculum is expected to encompass a range of subjects, including economics, statistics, data analytics, entrepreneurship, marketing, and finance. Instruction will involve a blend of self-paced study and in-person classes, with Cornell professors traveling to the prison to teach. These in-person sessions are intended to facilitate dynamic discussions and networking opportunities among students and faculty, mirroring aspects of a traditional university experience.
Eligibility for the bachelor's program requires applicants to possess an associate's degree or the equivalent of two years of undergraduate education. This includes individuals currently incarcerated at Cayuga Correctional Facility, as well as inmates from other correctional institutions who may seek transfers to participate in the program. When questioned about the enrollment of prisoners convicted of violent crimes, Cornell indicated that there would not be a blanket prohibition. Instead, the university stated, "The antecedent background and ongoing conduct of participants in our program require that strict standards be met."
The broader objective of the Cornell Prison Education Program, according to the university, is to mitigate repeat criminal behavior and assist incarcerated individuals in successfully reintegrating into society. A spokesperson for CPEP articulated this goal, stating, "We do this work in the pursuit of breaking the cycles of crime and incarceration — making a safer and more just society for all." This expansion builds upon a foundation of prison education efforts that Cornell has maintained since 2001.
Since its inception, the existing program has provided educational opportunities to over 1,000 incarcerated students across Cayuga, Auburn, and Five Points correctional facilities. Approximately 200 of these students have successfully completed associate's degrees through Cornell's efforts. A key component of the program's accessibility is the waiver of tuition and fees for participating inmates, removing a significant financial barrier to higher education.
Financial support for Cornell's prison education initiatives has also come from external sources. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, through its Criminal Justice Investment Initiative, contributed $750,000 over five years to the program. This funding underscores a recognized societal benefit in supporting rehabilitative educational endeavors.
The curriculum of the pre-existing program has been diverse, covering subjects from the humanities and social sciences to mathematics and natural sciences. Last year’s course offerings, for instance, included poetry, astronomy, creative writing, social psychology, world civilization, microeconomics, infectious diseases, introductory mathematics, and meditation. Beyond formal coursework, the program also facilitates extracurricular activities, such as a debate club at Cayuga, which aims to cultivate a "thoughtful and nonjudgmental atmosphere" focused on "liberating the mind."
This expansion of educational opportunities at Cornell occurs amidst separate public attention surrounding the university. New York Attorney General Letitia James has been appointed as a special prosecutor to investigate allegations against seven men associated with Cornell's Chi Phi fraternity. A woman, identified as Jane Doe, has accused these individuals of drugging and sexually assaulting her. Two of the accused have sought the removal of Attorney General James from the case, citing public comments she made about the accuser that they argue demonstrate prejudice prior to her assuming control of the investigation, according to reports from the New York Post. This fraternity-related controversy is distinct and unrelated to Cornell's ongoing prison education initiative.
The launch of the Bachelor of Professional Studies program in August 2027 represents a substantial broadening of academic offerings provided by Cornell within the correctional system. If implemented as planned, Cornell University will set a precedent as the first Ivy League institution to extend full bachelor’s degree opportunities to incarcerated individuals, potentially influencing the landscape of prison education nationwide.
