Adult Education

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You can get information about free educational classes for adults, including literacy and job preparation programs.

You can also learn about continuing education courses and programs at City University of New York (CUNY) colleges.

You can sign up for free day, evening, and Saturday courses to learn academic skills at an Adult Learning Center. You can also get job preparation and training. You must be over 21 years old to take the classes. 

Classes are held at Adult Learning Centers located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. Students can take classes at any of the sites, regardless of which borough they live in.

Courses include:

  • Basic Education (BE)
  • Career and Technical Education (CTE)
  • Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
  • Computer skills
  • English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • Health and technical career training
  • High school equivalency diploma (GED Test) and college preparation
  • Interviewing skills
  • Medical billing
  • Office technology
  • Phlebotomy
  • Web design

You can get more detailed information about the courses offered, including how to register.

Learn more about adult education programs.

Call 311 for assistance by phone.

CUNY offers continuing education courses, certificate programs, lectures, and cultural events at 19 campuses across the five boroughs.

Online

Visit the CUNY website.

By Phone

Call 311 for assistance.

Center for Economic and Workforce Development

The Center for Economic and Workforce Development (CEWD) at CUNY’s Kingsborough Community College provides workforce training and offers college readiness programs. CEWD’s current programs include:

  • Project Rise, which provides educational, internship, and employment services to young adults.
  • The Northeast Resiliency Consortium, which prepares trade-impacted workers, veterans, and other individuals for employment and career advancement in key high-growth sectors that play critical roles in times of crisis.

Kingsborough Community College is the only CUNY college campus that houses an urban farm, which is an organic, year-round food production site that is introducing students to sustainable urban farming.

Programs at the College of Staten Island

The College of Staten Island's Office of Continuing Education offers non-credit-bearing programs that focus on lifelong learning and the development of career-related skills through a variety of courses. 

Some of the courses include:

  • Phlebotomy
  • Medical Billing
  • Certified Nurse Aide
  • CPR
  • Bookkeeping
  • Paralegal
  • Food Handler
  • Computer Skills

As part of the CUNY Literacy Project, you can also receive assistance with reading skills, GED Test and college prep courses.

Call 311 for assistance by phone.

Programs at LaGuardia Community College

You can get information about the Adult and Continuing Education program at LaGuardia Community College. The school offers a wide variety of non-credit-bearing educational, business and professional programs for adults and families.

Call 311 for assistance by phone.

The Queensborough Community College (QCC) Adult Literacy Program provides free English as a Second Language classes designed for adult learners. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced level ESL classes are available. You can take day, evening, or Saturday classes.

Online

Learn about the QCC Adult Literacy Program.

By Phone

Call 311 for assistance.

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