Degrees and Certificates
Dutchess Community College is authorized by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York to award the following degrees and certificates:
Associate in Arts (A.A.)
Programs that lead to this degree are designed for those students who plan to receive
a baccalaureate degree from a senior college or university. The A.A. degree may be
completed in two years and consists primarily of courses in the liberal arts and sciences,
special liberal arts and science courses related to the student’s major field of interest
and electives.
Associate in Science (A.S.)
These programs are designed primarily to prepare students to continue their education
for the baccalaureate degree in scientific or professionally related programs at a
senior college or university. The A.S. degree may be completed in two years and consists
of a core of liberal arts and science courses, additional required special courses
related to the student’s field of interest and electives.
Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)
These programs may be completed in two years and prepare their graduates for immediate
employment in specific occupations or careers. Many graduates, however, do transfer
some or all of their credits toward more advanced study at a senior college or university.
The A.A.S. degree consists of a basic core of liberal arts and science courses, special
courses related to a specific career area and electives.
Associate in Occupational Science (A.O.S.)
Like the Associate in Applied Science, these programs may be completed in two years
and prepare their graduates for immediate employment in specific occupations or careers.
The A.O.S. degree consists primarily of special courses related to a specific career
area.
Honors Minor
DCC currently offers the option for qualified student to enroll in one Minor: the
Minor in Honors Studies. A Minor is a set of supplemental requirements designed for
students who wish to complement and enrich their respective major curricula. Minors
are designed to be broad and complementary, and do not constitute scaled-down versions
of active degree programs. Students must be matriculated in a degree program in order
to declare a Minor. See page 138 for specific details on the Minor in Honors Studies.
Certificate Programs
DCC offers two types of credit certificate programs: an academic certificate and an
applied academic certificate.
The Academic Certificate includes career‑oriented courses and at least nine credits of liberal arts courses.
The Applied Academic Certificate includes career‑oriented or technical courses and at least one liberal arts course, ENG 101. Certificates may be of varying length. However, it is expected that the majority of certificate programs can be completed in one calendar year. Courses in certificate programs are applicable to associate degree programs at Dutchess Community College.
Applied Academic Credential (Microcredential)
A Microcredential is a targeted credential that is smaller than a certificate. Students
do not need to be matriculated to enroll in the courses to earn a Microcredential,
and can complete the credential on a flexible schedule. Any Microcredentials that
you earn at DCC will appear on your official DCC transcript, and you will also earn
a “Digital Badge” that will allow you to share your achievement with potential employers
on professional networking sites. See page 140 for more information on the Microcredentials
currently offered at DCC.