Dynamic, skills-focused programs help students carve new pathways at any stage of their career

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — JAN. 7, 2025 —  If enhancing your career prospects or exploring more fulfilling options is on your list of New Year’s resolutions, Dutchess Community College (DCC) has recently announced innovative solutions. With microcredentials designed to deliver practical, in-demand skills in as little as 15 weeks, DCC empowers learners to turn aspirations into achievements—all while managing work and other responsibilities.

What is a Microcredential?

Microcredentials are compact, skills-focused educational programs that deliver career-ready expertise in a fraction of the time required for traditional degrees—typically just a few months to one academic year. Developed with working students in mind, they are often available in part-time, online or evening formats. Each program carries college credit, serving as both a standalone credential and a pathway to an associate or bachelor’s degree, offering immediate career benefits and future educational opportunities.

Microcredentials at DCC

DCC offers 13 diverse microcredential options spanning fields such as technology, business, fitness, graphic design, public safety and human services. Each program is tailored to meet employer needs and aligned with regional growth industries.

Here are four standout options for jump-starting a new career this year:

  • Cannabis Retail Management: As New York’s recreational cannabis industry expands, this program equips students with both foundational plant science knowledge and essential business operations skills. Over 15 weeks of evening classes, learners explore management, merchandising, customer service, compliance and more. Alumni have pursued diverse roles, from budtenders to business owners. Angela and Stephanie Barone completed the program and recently opened Grounded Dispensary in Poughkeepsie, highlighting the program’s real-world impact.

  • Graphic Design: Enrollment in this microcredential has doubled over the past two years, reflecting its value in today’s creative job market. Students build critical design and technical skills using industry-standard tools like Adobe Photoshop and InDesign. This program is ideal for current art students, graduates and working professionals looking to expand their expertise. Those who begin their studies in the fall can complete the credential in just one academic year, gaining a competitive edge in the design industry.

    Jeremy Robért, a DCC visual arts major currently pursuing the graphic design microcredential, shared, "The graphic design microcredential provided a solid foundation to build my skills. Topics were streamlined so that each course could be completed in a few weeks rather than several months, yet still contained all the best things I've come to love about DCC."

  • Personal Trainer and Strength Coach Certifications: Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors in New York rank among the highest paid and most employed in the nation. According to O*NET OnLine, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, job opportunities in this field are projected to grow by an impressive 84 percent from 2020 to 2030. At DCC, fitness enthusiasts can hone their skills and prepare for certification as personal trainers or strength coaches in just 15 weeks by completing three focused classes. Both microcredentials can be stacked into the Exercise Science and Wellness associate degree program, offering a pathway to careers in athletic training, exercise physiology, kinesiology, physical therapy, nutrition and other related fields.


Spring Registration is Underway at DCC

The new year is the perfect time to take the next step in advancing your career or exploring college. A DCC microcredential is a great way to start, offering flexibility, targeted skills and one of the lowest tuition rates in New York state. Depending on your program, you may even qualify for financial aid to offset the cost of tuition. 

Classes begin Jan. 21. Visit www.sunydutchess.edu/microcredentials today to learn more and enroll!


# # #

Founded in 1957, Dutchess Community College is a two-year community college that has earned a reputation for providing an outstanding education and offers one of the lowest tuition rates in New York state. The College currently has four locations including its main campus in Poughkeepsie, DCC @ Fishkill, DCC @ HVR Airport, and DCC @ the Family Partnership Center. For more information visit www.sunydutchess.edu.