NEW AGREEMENT GIVES OCC STUDENTS A SEAMLESS PATHWAY TO A BACHELOR’S DEGREE AT SUNY EMPIRE STATE COLLEGE

Students who want to earn a bachelor’s degree in Addiction Studies at SUNY Empire State College (ESC) can now begin their academic journey at Onondaga Community College (OCC). The two SUNY institutions signed a Pathways Transfer Articulation Agreement which gives students a new, seamless route to the four-year degree.

Students who earn an associate degree in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling at OCC can take all of their credits with them to ESC as they pursue a bachelor’s degree in Addiction Studies. Coursework at ESC will include a combination of online, independent study, blended learning, and small group seminars. OCC students who choose this path will have a $50 ESC orientation fee waived and receive a $100 transfer scholarship in their first semester there.

“We’re grateful to our partners at Empire State College for recognizing the outstanding potential in our students and creating a pathway for them to earn a valuable four-year degree at a SUNY price point. We know what a challenging time this is for students and families. This agreement provides a tremendous level of certainty for anyone considering bettering their lives through higher education,” said OCC President Dr. Casey Crabill.

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Onondaga Community College is a two-year college located on a 280-acre campus in Syracuse, NY. OCC operates under the State University of New York (SUNY) system and is locally sponsored by Onondaga County. We are the first public college in the nation to partner with Barnes & Noble College on the “Box of Books” program which provides students with flat-rate, predictable pricing for textbooks and technology. OCC is an Achieving the Dream college and has been named a “Military Friendly” school by G.I. Jobs Magazine for its service to student veterans. The College’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility has earned it recognition as a “Green College” by the Princeton Review, a “Cool School” by the Sierra Club and a “Sustainable Campus” by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. A 2019 report titled “The Economic Value of Onondaga Community College” shows students enjoy an attractive 21.7% rate of return on their educational investment. For every dollar of support from state and local governments, taxpayers see a return of $3.90 on their investments. The average annual rate of return for taxpayers is 9.3%. OCC’s 17 athletics teams have won 16 national championships. Learn more about the College at www.sunyocc.edu.