Degree Programs for Adult Learners

We understand the complicated needs of adult learners. Whether you are looking to sharpen your job skills or pursue a degree in a new field, we can guide you to the right path and mentor you along the way. Education doesn’t have to wait. You can have a family and a job — and still earn a degree.

►Looking for a job right after graduation? See which associate degrees offer the best job opportunities.

 

OPTIONS FOR ADULTS

  1. SUNY Adirondack offers a number of degrees that are career focused and can lead directly to employment opportunities.
  2. SUNY Adirondack has formed a joint admissions partnership with SUNY Empire State College (ESC). Through this partnership, SUNY Adirondack will be offering courses for three business-focused degrees at SUNY ESC’s West Avenue location in Saratoga. The classes for these courses will meet two nights a week starting the fall of 2020.
  3. SUNY Adirondack offers three degree programs online as well as a variety of general education courses.
  4. SUNY Adirondack has developed a collaborative relationship with a few local organizations, who have apprenticeship programs, and are offering those enrolled in those programs credit for program completion (Local 773) or grant money to complete required coursework (WWAARC). 
  5. Do you have previous college credits? Our new degree in Individual Studies provides greater course flexibility allowing 30 credits of choice combined with a strong liberal arts and sciences foundation.
  6. SUNY Adirondack offers seamless transfer to a number of four-year colleges, including SUNY Plattsburgh at Queensbury, SUNY ESC, the University at Albany, Siena, The College of Saint Rose and Excelsior College.

LEARN MORE

If you are interested in exploring our many educational opportunities and learning more about financial aid, email the College Access office at admission@sunyacc.edu


DID YOU KNOW?

You don’t have to be a high school student to qualify for financial aid and scholarships. SUNY Adirondack’s Financial Aid staff can work to find the best resources for you, without breaking the bank. Get more information about Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Many local employers offer financial assistance to employees looking to take classes or pursue a degree in a related career field.

Tuition at SUNY Adirondack is less than any other institution in the region, and more than half our graduates complete their degree debt-free. Learn more.


FIND THE BEST FIT

Career Focused or Direct-to-Employment Options

  •  Creative & Media Arts
    • Broadcast Media Production ASS
    • Media Arts AAS
  • Business
    • Management, Marketing & Entrepreneurship AAS
    • Business Administration AS
    • Agricultural Business AAS
    • Hospitality Management AAS
  • Criminal Justice
    • Police Science AS
    • Substance Abuse Services AAS
  • Culinary Arts
    • Culinary Arts AAS
    • Culinary and Baking Arts AOS
  • Health
    • Nursing AAS
  • Hospitality & Tourism
    • Outdoor Education AAS
  • Information Technology
    • Computer Networking AAS
    • Cybersecurity AAS
  • Manufacturing
    • Mechatronics AAS

Certificates:

  • Business and Entrepreneurship certificate
  • Culinary
  • Media Arts
  • Teaching Certificate

For more on these programs and possible employment opportunities following graduation, go to www.sunyacc.edu/academics/degree-programs-0.

Online Programs

SUNY Adirondack currently offers four degree programs fully online.

  • Business Administration AS
  • Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship AAS
  • Liberal Arts: Humanities and Social Sciences AA

These programs offer students the flexibility to learn at the time and location most convenient for them. The online courses follow the same calendar as our in-person courses and have similar due dates for coursework and assignments.

In addition to these programs, we offer a number of the general education courses online.

Get more information on online courses.

Apprenticeships

SUNY Adirondack has developed collaborative partnerships with local organizations and their apprenticeship programs.

WWAARC

  • SUNY Adirondack received a $192,500 SUNY Apprenticeship grant to support 25 direct-support professional apprentices. The grant supports a partnership between the college and Warren, Washington, Albany Counties ARC (WWAARC), a chapter of The Arc New York — a nonprofit organization serving nearly 1,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  • Apprentices will be employed, full or part time, with WWAARC and receive $5,000 of related instruction from SUNY Adirondack, including seven credit-bearing courses applying to a Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities and Social Sciences AA degree.
  • The grant provides an opportunity for candidates who want to work in the human services field through an earn-and-learn, integrating work experience and instruction.

Technical Trades Management

  • SUNY Adirondack has developed a degree program, which awards 30 college credits to individuals who have successfully completed federal or state accredited building trades, or advanced manufacturing trades apprenticeship programs. Remaining coursework in the degree program focuses upon providing individuals with business-related instruction and was developed through a collaborative relationship with the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 773.

Individual Studies

Make the most of the college credits you already have and pursue your varied interests. The Individual Studies AS degree provides students with flexibility in designing a degree program to support their career and transfer goals with customized course selection.

This degree program may be a good fit for:

  • Veteran Students
  • Students with multiple major changes
  • Students with previous credits from other institutions

Get more information about the Liberal Arts Humanities & Social Sciences - Individual Studies Associate in Science (AS) degree.


PRIOR LEARNING EXPERIENCE

At SUNY Adirondack, we value our students’ prior learning experiences by offering the following options:

College-level Examination Program (CLEP): SUNY Adirondack awards credit for successful completion of CLEP tests in the same manner that transfer credits are awarded. No grade is assigned to these credits recognized to be the equivalent of a “C” level score or higher.

Dantes Subject Standardized Tests (DSST): The College honors DSST —  also known as DANTES —  exams and awards credit for successful completion as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE).

Credit by Examination: The College may provide credit by examination for current students if no appropriate tests are commercially available. The examinations must be approved by the appropriate Division Chair, and there is a fee of $30 per credit hour.

Military Credit: Students may receive transfer credit for military training based on their JST or CCAF transcripts, as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE).

Credit for Licensure or Certification: Matriculated students may earn credit for industry-based licenses or certifications (e.g., LPN licensure) that meet the student-learning outcomes of specified courses. To initiate the process, the student should complete a Credit for Licensure or Certification form available in the Office of the Registrar.


HERE FOR YOU

Student Support

Office of Accessibility Services works in conjunction with faculty and administrative staff to guarantee that all qualified students are afforded the same collegiate opportunities available to the general college population, that no student is denied the benefits of any college program or activity and that no student is subjected  to discrimination.

Counseling Center provides professional counseling to help students develop to their full potential. Counseling takes the form of individual personal counseling, group counseling, crisis intervention and/or referral.

Center for Student Success provides academic advising, placement testing and career planning services that help students reach their educational, career and personal goals. The Center for Student Success is a central point of contact for students seeking information about classes, majors and careers.

Center for Student Life and Diversity offers a wide range of programs that strengthen the cultural, intellectual and social well-being of our campus and works to engage students, faculty and staff to promote and develop an inclusive and diverse environment.

Community Hub was established to identify and meet the non-academic needs of our students. The goal of the Hub is to provide a seamless link to community and on-campus resources and address the barriers that may get in the way of our students’ success.

Robert L. Hutchinson Child Care Center offers students who are parents an opportunity to attend college with peace of mind, knowing their children are safe and well cared for while they are in classes or studying. The Center is a partnership of the Faculty Student Association (FSA) of SUNY Adirondack and Warren County Head Start.

Veterans Resource Center provides student veterans with a space to hold meetings, study and interact with other veterans between classes. The center is attached to the Student Center on the Queensbury campus and includes a New York State Division of Veteran Affairs Office. A full-service Veterans Benefit Advisor is available to assist veteran students and community members file claims and understand the benefits they’ve gained from their time serving. Our Veterans Club offers military service members an opportunity to meet as a group with fellow veterans.

Lifelong Learners Group with the Counseling Office, which hosts weekly meetings for adult learners. Students are encouraged to attend to connect with others in similar situations and discuss strategies to juggle competing responsibilities of school, family and work.

Academic Support

Center for Reading and Writing (CRW) offers tutoring for English courses, as well as reading and writing assistance for students in any subject. One-on-one tutoring and small-group tutoring options are available.

Math, Engineering and Computer Science Tutoring Center (MECS) provides free walk-in tutoring for students taking most math, engineering and computer science courses. The campus also has a Math Lab and Supplemental Instruction in Math.

Business Resource Center provides tutoring for students taking accounting courses. Additional tutoring may be available by contacting the Business division.

Tutoring by subject is available for almost every course offered throughout campus. For those courses without a dedicated tutor, students can contact their professors to set up an appointment during weekly office hours.