Frequently Asked Questions

How can I register for a class?
For details on how to register for our courses, view our Registration Policies and Procedures.

What is your refund policy?
We highly recommend that you review our refund policy before signing up for classes.

What are your office hours?
We are open Monday - Friday, 10:30am - 5:30pm.
Summer office hours (June-September 1st): Monday -Thursday, 10:30am - 5:30pm.

Where are you located?
Our office is located at 30 Cooper Square. We have several different locations where classes meet:

The Foundation Building (map)
7 East 7th Street
between Third and Fourth Avenues

New Academic Building
41 Cooper Square
3rd Avenue
between 6th and 7th street

Continuing Education Office (map)
30 Cooper Square
On Cooper Square near East 5th Street

The University Settlement (map)
273 Bowery
at the corner of Bowery and Houston Street

What's the nearest subway stop?
The closest stop to The Cooper Union is at Astor Place, which is served by the #6 train. The N and R trains have a stop at 8th Street and Broadway, about 2 blocks west of The Cooper Union. The F train is also near by, at the 2nd Ave. stop.

The closest stop to The University Settlement is Bleecker Street, which is served by the #6 train as well as the F,M,B & D trains via the connected Broadway-Lafayette stop. Exit the train station near the intersection of East Houston and Lafayette Street. Walk East (towards Mulberry Street) on Houston Street about three and a half blocks until you reach the corner of Bowery and Houston. University Settlement is at the southeastern corner of the intersection. Or take the F train to Lower East Side/Second Avenue station and walk West on Houston street about 1 block until you reach the corner of Houston and Bowery.

How many semesters are offered in a year?
Continuing Education classes are offered in three different semesters throughout the year. Our Fall semester classes typically run from October to December (10 Weeks), Winter/Spring classes run from February to May (10 weeks) and our Summer classes run from June to mid August (8-9 weeks).

Do you offer GED/TASC classes? Can I receive academic credits for classes I take with Continuing Education?
No, we do not have a TASC (formerly known as a GED) program. For information on GED programs in New York, try visiting the New York Department of Education.

Do you offer senior discounts?
No, we do not offer senior discounts. We sometimes have promotional events such as our Open House when we waive the $25 registration fee for people who register that day.

I've heard that The Cooper Union offers free education. Are your classes free?
No. Cooper Union Continuing Education classes range in price depending on the total number of classroom hours. Please refer to each individual class description for exact prices. For pricing see our online catalog.

Do I need books or supplies for your classes?
You may need additional books or supplies for some classes. Please refer to a specific class description for more details. Students are responsible for purchasing their own class books and supplies.

What should I do if I have to miss a class?
If you know in advance that you need to miss a class please notify your instructor. If you miss a class and your instructor teaches the same class on a different night of the week you ARE NOT PERMITTED to attend the class. Students must attend class on the night that they have registered for, due to our campus security policy, limited classroom space, and to ensure a consistent and productive learning environment for all students.

Make-up sessions and/or reimbursement will only be arranged for classes that are cancelled or postponed by The Office of Continuing Education.

Do you prorate?
No, Cooper Union Continuing Education does not prorate. You must pay for a class in full in order to be registered.

Are students permitted to audit classes?
No. The Cooper Union Continuing Education program does not allow unregistered students to audit classes. You must be enrolled, and your tuition must be paid in full in order to attend our classes.

Will I receive a school ID if I register for a Continuing Education course?
The Office of Continuing Education issues students a registration confirmation email, which affords the student access to buildings where classes meet only at the scheduled meeting times. Continuing Education students do not have access to The Cooper Union Library, laboratories, studios or other facilities.

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.