Degree Choices and Requirements

Degree/Certificate Requirements: All curricula offered at Onondaga Community College have been registered with the New York State Education Department and approved by the State University of New York. The State University of New York has authorized the College to award degrees of Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.), Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.), Associate in Occupational Studies (A.O.S.), and specified certificates.

According to New York State Education Law, “Associate degree programs shall normally be capable of completion in two academic years of full-time study, or its equivalent in part-time study, with an accumulation of not less than 60 semester hours.” Eligibility for a degree is based on the successful completion of the program of study outlined by a curriculum.

The one-year certificate is available in several academic programs. The certificate is designed for students seeking a quick path to job opportunities and to provide the essential coursework typically required by employers for entry-level positions.

A core group of liberal arts and sciences courses is required in the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degree programs. These courses fall into the fields of humanities, natural sciences and mathematics, and social sciences. The Associate in Arts degree requires completion of at least 75 percent of coursework in the liberal arts and sciences. Students pursuing the Associate in Science degree must complete at least 50 percent of their coursework in the liberal arts and sciences. Those in Associate in Applied Science programs must complete at least 33 percent of their coursework in the liberal arts and sciences.

Candidates for Onondaga Community College degrees and certificates must fulfill the following requirements, except where exemptions or waivers are approved and recorded:

1. A student must be matriculated in a degree/certificate program and meet all program and credit hour requirements.
2. Onondaga will automatically confer a degree or certificate upon the student’s completion of all program requirements. However, students who wish to participate in the College’s commencement ceremony must submit a Commencement RSVP form via OCC’s Grad Central webpage.
3. The student must achieve at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
4. All grades of Incomplete (“I”) must be resolved before the degree/certificate is conferred.
5. A student may not receive a diploma or transcript until all financial obligations have been met.
6. At least twenty-four (24) of the academic credits for the degree (12 credits for certificate programs) must be completed at Onondaga Community College, subject to specific program restrictions.
7. No more than 12 independent study credits may be taken at Onondaga Community College.

Multiple Degrees

A student may earn more than one degree at Onondaga Community College, subject to the following restrictions:

1. A minimum of 20 of the academic credits for any Associates Degree and ten academic credits for any certificate must be credits that have not been applied to any previously or concurrently awarded degree.
2. A student may not earn more than one degree from any single curriculum grouping.

Restrictions on Multiple Degrees

A student many not earn more than one degree from any single curriculum grouping.

Alcohol & Substance Abuse
(ASA) Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling (A.A.S.)  

American Sign Language
(ASL) American Sign Language (A.S.)  

Apprentice Training – Building Trades
(ABT) Apprentice Training: Building Trades (A.A.S.)  

Apprentice Training – Electrical
(ASE) Apprentice Training: Electrical (A.A.S.)  

Apprentice Training – Machine Trades
(AMT) Machine Trades A.A.S.*

Architecture
(ARH) Architectural Technology (A.A.S.)  

Art/Advertising
(ART) Graphic Arts & Advertising Technology A.A.S.*
(ART) Art (A.A.S.)  

Automotive Technology
(AUT) Automotive Technology (A.O.S.)  
(AUT) Automotive Technology A.A.S.*
(ATC) Automotive Technology – Ford Asset A.A.S.*

Business
(BUA) Accounting A.A.S.*
(BUB) Banking A.A.S.*
(BUS.AAS) Business Technology (A.A.S.) 
(BUC) Business Administration A.A.S.*
(BUS.AS) Business Administration (A.S.) 
(OTD) Office Technology: Administrative Assistant A.A.S.*
(SEC) Secretarial Science (Industrial, Legal, Medical) A.A.S.*
(INS) Insurance A.A.S.*
Business: Telecommunications Management A.S.*

Computer Engineering Technology
(CMT) Computer Engineering Technology A.A.S.*

Computer Forensics
(CFS) Computer Forensics (A.S.)  

Computer Information Systems
(CIS) Computer Information Systems (A.A.S.)  
(CSC) Computer Science (A.S.) ^
(BUD) Data Processing A.A.S.*

Criminal Justice
(CRJ) Criminal Justice (A.S.) 
(CRJ) Criminal Justice A.A.S.*

Dental Hygiene
(DEH) Dental Hygiene A.A.S*

Electrical Technology
(ELT) Electrical Technology (A.A.S.)  

Electronic Media Communications
(BMC) Broadcast Media Communications (A.A.S.)  
(EMC) Electronic Media Communications A.A.S.*
(RTV) Radio and Television A.A.S.*

Emergency Management
(EMG) Emergency Management A.A.S.*
(HSD) Homeland Security & Disaster Preparedness A.A.S.*

Environmental Technology
(ENV) Environmental Technology (A.A.S.)  
(ETB) Environmental Technology: Biology*
(ETE) Environmental Technology: Emissions Management & Testing A.A.S.*
(ETC) Environmental Technology: Chemistry A.A.S.*
(ETG) Environmental Technology: Geoscience A.A.S.*

Fire Protection Technology
(FPD) Fire Protection Technology (A.A.S.)  

Food Service/Hotel Technology
(FSA) Food Service Administration – Restaurant Management A.A.S.*
(HTL) Hotel Technology A.A.S.*
(HOS) Hospitality Management (A.A.S.)  

Health Information Technology
(HIT) Health Information Technology / Medical Records (A.A.S.) 
(MRT) Medical Records Technology A.A.S.*

Human Services
(HUM) Human Services (A.S.) 
(HUM) Human Services A.A.S.*

Insurance
(INS) Insurance A.A.S.*

Interior Design
(IND) Interior Design Technology A.A.S.*
(IND) Interior Design (A.A.S.)  

Labor Studies
(LBR) Labor Studies A.S.*

Liberal Arts
(EDA) Liberal Arts & Sciences: Adolescence Education (Teacher Education Transfer) (A.A.) 
(EDC) Liberal Arts & Sciences: Childhood Education (Teacher Education Transfer) (A.A.) 
(GEN) Liberal Arts & Sciences: General Studies (A.A.) 
(HMT) Liberal Arts & Sciences: Humanities and Social Sciences (A.A.)  
(MTS) Liberal Arts & Sciences: Mathematics and Science (A.S.) ^
(MTS) Liberal Arts & Sciences: Mathematics and Science A.A.*^

Mechanical Technology
(MET) Mechanical Technology (A.A.S.) 
(INT) Industrial Technology A.A.S.*
(QCT) Quality Control Technology A.A.S*

Medical Technology
(MED) Medical Laboratory Technology A.A.S*

Music
(MUS) Music (A.S.) 
(MUS) Music A.A.S.*

Nuclear Technology
(NET) Nuclear Technology (A.A.S.)  

Nursing
(NUR) Nursing (A.A.S.)  

Office Technology
(OTD) Office Technology: Administrative Assistant A.A.S.*
(SEC) Secretarial Science (Industrial, Legal, Medical) A.A.S.*

Photography
(PHO) Photography (A.S.)  

Physical Education & Exercise Science
(EXR) Physical Education & Exercise Science Studies (A.S.)  

Physical Therapist Assistant
(PTA) Physical Therapist Assistant (A.A.S.)  

Professional Communication
(COM) Communication Studies (A.A.)  
(PCM) Professional Communication A.A.S.*

Recreation Leadership
(REC) Recreation Leadership A.S.* or A.A.S.*

Respiratory Care
(RPD) Respiratory Care A.A.S.*

Sciences
(CHE) Chemical Technology A.A.S.*
(CSC) Computer Science (A.S.) ^
(ENS) Engineering Science (A.S.) 
(MTS) Liberal Arts & Sciences: Mathematics and Science (A.S.) ^
(MTS) Liberal Arts & Sciences: Mathematics and Science A.A.*^

Theatre
(THR) Performing Arts – Drama A.A.S.*

Telecommunications Technology
(TTA) Telecommunications Technology A.A.S.*
(TTN) Telecommunications Technology - Verizon A.A.S.*

* Program inactive / no longer available
^ Program is listed under multiple curriculum groupings

Please Note: The completion of a certificate and a degree is not subject to category requirements. Any certificate may be completed with any degree.

Liberal Arts & Sciences

As defined by the New York State Education Department (22 October 2009)

Courses of a general or theoretical nature that are designed to develop judgment and understanding about human beings’ relationship to the social, cultural, and natural facets of their total environment.

Working corollaries for counting liberal arts courses:

1. Independent of specific application
2. Theoretical understanding as opposed to practical application
3. Breadth and scope in principle covered
4. Not definitely directed toward particular career or specific professional objectives
5. Not chiefly “how to” in manipulative skills or techniques
6. Not “applied” aspects of a field

The liberal arts and sciences comprise the disciplines of the humanities, natural sciences and mathematics, and social sciences.

1. Examples of course types that are generally considered within the liberal arts and sciences:
   1. Humanities:
      • English—composition, creative writing, history of language, journalism, linguistics, literature, literature in translation, playwriting
      • Fine arts—art appreciation, history or theory
      • Foreign languages—composition, conversation, grammar, history of the language, literature of the language, reading, translation studies
      • Music—music appreciation, history or theory
      • Philosophy—comparative philosophy, history of philosophy, logic, schools of philosophy
      • Religion—comparative religion, history of religion
      • Theater—dramatic interpretation, dramatic literature, dramaturgy, history of drama, playwriting
   2. Natural sciences and mathematics:
      • Natural sciences—anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, earth science, geology, physics, zoology
      • Mathematics—calculus, mathematical theory, statistics
      • Computer science—broad survey/theory courses
   3. Social sciences:
      • Anthropology, cultural studies, economics, geography, government, history, political science, psychology, sociology
      • Criminal justice—introductory and broad survey courses
      • Communications—interpersonal communication, mass communication, public speaking, speech and rhetoric
2. Examples of course types that are generally not considered within the liberal arts and sciences:
   • Agriculture
   • Business—administration, finance, human resources, management, marketing, production
   • Computer applications (e.g., word processing, database, spreadsheet), programming (e.g., specific languages)
   • Health and physical education
   • Home economics
   • Education and teaching methods
   • Library science
   • Music—studio, performance, practice courses—voice, instrument, direction, conducting
   • Office technologies and practice
   • Performing and related arts—acting, costume design, dance, direction, lighting, production, scene construction, sound production
   • Specialized professional courses in such fields as accounting, architecture, dental hygiene, dentistry, engineering, law, medicine, nursing, nutrition, pharmacy, podiatry, veterinary medicine
   • Studio art—drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture
   • Technology/technician fields— construction, data processing, electrical, electronics, graphic arts, mechanical, medical, refrigeration repair
   • Television and radio production
   • Theology—pastoral counseling, ministry

General Education

Consistent with the requirements of the College’s accrediting body, The Middle States Commission on Higher Education, all Onondaga programs are infused with a minimum of 15 hours of General Education academic coursework.

Global Awareness & Diversity

Some program requirements at Onondaga Community College incorporate coursework with a focus on Global Awareness and Diversity. The following is a list of GLAD designated courses:

SUNY General Education Requirements

All students who begin their program in Fall 2015 or forward and are enrolled in an A.A. or A.S. degree must meet the SUNY General Education requirement. Students must complete seven of the ten SUNY General Education areas (including Basic Communication and Mathematics) for a total of 30 credits of SUNY General Education courses.

Please note: Courses may be added to this list throughout the academic year.