Alfred University

The arts are a large part of Alfred University. Our calendar of performances, workshops, exhibitions, and community events promises to entertain, educate, and entrance audiences of all ages.

Alfred University hosts many events in the performing, visual, and literary arts each year, with internationally acclaimed musicians, numerous student ensembles, an outstanding theater company, poets, novelists, playwrights and much more.Arts programs at AU bring students, faculty, staff, world-renowned guest artists, and audiences together in a spirit of collaboration and discovery. Whether you choose a course of study in the arts or choose to attend music, theater, or dance performances, an art exhibition, poetry readings, or film screenings, your imagination will be ignited. Explore the Arts at Alfred, nourish your creativity, and discover the experience of limitless possibilities.

Alfred University was founded in 1836 by liberal, independent thinkers who placed high value on education for all citizens. Today, the University has retained and built upon the strong values of its founders, developing as an institution of national and international renown that is responsive to the needs of contemporary society while remaining consistent with the spirit of its origins.

Alfred University is the second oldest coeducational college in the United States and one of the earliest nineteenth century colleges to have enrolled African American and Native American students.Over the course of the twentieth century, Alfred University evolved into a complex institution offering a full range of programs in the liberal arts and sciences, art and design, engineering, business, education, counseling and school psychology. For more information on Alfred's history, traditions, and people visit the University Archives.

The Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness will lead by example in providing excellent service to the University Community in supporting assessment, data reporting and analysis, and in advocating institution-wide use of data to improve student success.The mission statement of the Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness (OIR&E) reflects its overall function of supporting and coordinating assessment, strategic decision making and planning across the University.The Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness at Alfred University furthers student learning outcomes by conducting research and analysis to support decision making and sustainable planning across the University.

Over the course of its long history, Alfred University has never wavered in its commitment to teaching excellence and concern for the individual student. A striking feature of Alfred University is the fact that its diversity exists in a relatively small institution. Alfred serves approximately 1,700 undergraduate and nearly 400 graduate students. This small size has allowed the University to maintain a strong sense of community. Alfred prides itself on offering a personalized education that features close relationships between faculty, staff, and students, fostering personal and intellectual growth.

At Alfred University, one size does not fit all. We encourage students to seek inspiration in a wide variety of programs and we offer them the opportunity to individually structure a unique major through the Individually Structured Major.

Our complex and changing world needs people like you—people who are creative, hard working, and collaborative. With a graduate degree you can go further and accomplish more than you can imagine. Alfred University offers both on- and off-campus graduate programs at one of our many satellite locations. Alfred University offers a number of part-time Master's degree and professional certificate programs at three off-campus locations. Learn more about our AU-NYC and AU-Corning programs, including Master's in Education in Literacy, Master's in School Counseling, Master of Public Administration (MPA), and Certificate of Advanced Study in Mental Health Counseling.

At Alfred University, you won’t spend all your time behind a desk. Our curriculum is designed around experiential learning, which means you'll have as much hands-on learning as possible. Depending on your major, you’ll find opportunities to be in the field, the studio, the lab, the classroom, or engaging in simulated scenarios that give you a competitive edge when you enter the workforce or head to grad school. You’ll learn the concepts and then actively apply them through projects, field trips, site visits, internships, and interactions with professionals in the field.

Our faculty and staff are respected not only for their knowledge and skills, but also because they care about you as an individual. They serve as true mentors, offering personalized attention through small class sizes, a student-faculty ratio of 13:1, and by working closely with you as advisors. They take the time to welcome you to the AU community, watch you grow as a leader and scholar, and help you connect with alumni and other experts.

The world really is a small place, and at Alfred University we value diversity. Our students bring rich experiences that span continents, countries and states. We value diversity because it not only helps you better understand the world, it helps you understand yourself and how you fit in the global society. Get involved in the many multicultural and international programs on campus, and you’ll see how easy it is to make friends from across the world.