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Degree Opportunities

Many of our academic programs at GCC offer you the opportunity to earn an Associate of Arts degree (A.A.), Associate in Science degree (A.S.), Associate in Applied Science degree (A.A.S.), Certificate, or Micro-Credential. Each offers you a different opportunity within your field of study.

A.A.

An Associates of Arts (A.A.) degree includes 45 credit hours of liberal arts education and prepares you for seamless transfer to a four-year institution with a focus on areas such as Theatre Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

A.S.

Earning an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree from any of our academic programs will set the groundwork for you to excel in today’s competitive work environment. By working with a transfer counselor, you will take the necessary introductory courses recognized by many four-year institutions as general education requirements, and also have the opportunity to begin exploring your desired field of study. Earning your A.S. degree from GCC is a cost-effective way to continue your education and earn your Bachelor’s degree from a four-year institution.

A.A.S.

An Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree prepares you for entry-level positions in your desired field of study. This degree is specifically designed for students who are eager to venture into the workforce upon graduation from GCC. An A.A.S. degree will provide you with a strong foundation of important concepts, principles, and methods within your field, as well as allow you to transfer to a four-year institution, if you choose.

Certificate

If you are already in the workforce, earning a Certificate in a specific academic program will allow you to change careers or even earn a promotion within your company. A Certificate will also give you the opportunity to develop a deeper background in the field you are already employed in. You can expand your understanding of a specific field by applying all courses within the Certificate program toward earning an A.A.S. degree.

Micro-Credential

Micro-Credentials are opportunities to enhance your skills with concentrated coursework in a particular area of study. Micro-Credentials verify, validate, and attest that specific skills and/or competencies have been achieved. They differ from traditional degrees and certificates in that they are generally offered in shorter or more flexible timespans and tend to be more narrowly focused. Micro-credentials can be offered online, in the classroom, or via a hybrid of both.

What is a Micro-Credential?

Today’s competitive workforce is in a constant state of evolution. Job descriptions and responsibilities are frequently evaluated, updated and realigned, and new skills are constantly needed to ensure incumbent and new employees can meet the demands of changing industries and technology.

Micro-credentials address this dynamic through coursework that is dramatically trimmed and strategically designed to focus on specific relevant skills.

How is a Micro-Credential different than a Degree or Certificate program?

Time: Micro-credential programs are just 9 to 15 credit hours and can be earned in as quickly as one semester. (Certificate and associate degree programs range from 30 – 62 credit hours take over one to three years!)

Topic: Because a micro-credential is designed to cover specific skills, you only take courses relevant to your chosen topic. This laser-focus provides you an opportunity to concentrate on the development of a particular skill that adds to your repertoire in a very short period of time.

Tuition: Like the coursework, the tuition for a micro-credential is trimmed down to just the cost of the course and related books and fees.

Digital Badge: Micro-credential students earn a digital badge upon completion to highlight core skills and competencies that employers search for on resumes, LinkedIn pages and other social media channels.

Transcripts: Micro-credentials also generate an official college transcript that documents their earned academic credit.

Transfer: Because micro-credentials result in SUNY academic college credit, this credit is transferable and can be applied toward additional academic degrees in the future:

GCC associate degrees and certificates
SUNY to SUNY Pathways and Seamless Transfer programs
Through many of GCC’s more than 200 transfer agreements
Most colleges and universities nationwide

Why GCC?

GCC’s commitment to provide education and training resources that support the workforce is routed in the College’s mission statement and strategic plan, and then woven into daily lesson plans and learning objectives. Intellectual and social growth, economic advancement and engaged citizenship are paramount in every new technology, course and innovative program introduced at GCC. Micro-credentialing is among the latest opportunities available.