Degrees & Certificates

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SUNY Corning Community College offers the following degrees:

  • Associate in Arts (AA)
  • Associate in Science(AS)
  • Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
  • Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS)
  • Certificate

As determined by the New York State Education Department, an AAS degree program requires a minimum of one-third of the credit hours (based on 60 credits) to make up the liberal arts and sciences component; an AS degree program (based on 60 credits) requires a minimum of one-half; and an AA program (based on 60 credits) requires a minimum of three quarters. Certificate and AOS programs are not required to include liberal arts and sciences courses. See chart below: 

Degree Program 

Total Minimum Number of Credits

Minimum Number of Liberal Arts and Sciences Credit

Associates of Applied Science (AAS)

60 

20

Associates of Science (AS)

60 

30

Associates of Arts (AA)

60 

45

The General Education framework as approved by the State University of New York and CCC includes 12 categories. Students in AAS, AS, and AA degree programs must take at least one course from each of the following categories as determined by their program (# 1- 6): 

Core Competencies 

  1. Information Literacy (IL) 
  2. Critical Thinking and Reasoning (CT) 

Knowledge and Skills Areas 

  1. Communication – Written and Oral (C) 
  2. Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (MR) 
  3. Natural Sciences and Scientific Reasoning (NS) 
  4. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (DEISJ). 

AS and AA degree programs must also include at least three courses from the following knowledge and skills areas. A minimum of three categories must be selected (9 credits). 

  1. Social Sciences (SS) 
  2. U.S. History and Civic Engagement (HE) 
  3. World History and Global Awareness (WG) 
  4. Humanities (H) 
  5. The Arts (A) 
  6. World Languages (WL)

Courses may be designated in more than one category. However, students must complete the minimum number of credits with a general education designation. Please see the chart below: 

Degree Program 

Minimum Number of General Education Credits

Minimum Number of SUNY GE Knowledge and Skills Areas

Minimum Number SUNY GE Core Competencies

Associates of Applied Science (AAS)

20 

4 

2

Associates of Science (AS)

30 

7 

2

Associates of Arts (AA)

30 

7 

2

SUNY has implemented a policy designated to enhance and coordinate general education on all SUNY campuses. Any student graduating with a four-year bachelor’s degree from a SUNY campus must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours in coursework from at least seven of the Knowledge and Skill areas, with the starred (*) four areas being required:

  • Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning*
  • Natural Sciences and Scientific Reasoning*
  • Communication – Written and Oral*
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice* 
  • Humanities 
  • Social Sciences 
  • The Arts 
  • US History and Civic Engagement 
  • World History and Global Awareness 
  • World Languages 

Furthermore, all students graduating with a four-year bachelor’s degree from a SUNY campus must also complete a minimum of 6 credits from the following Core Competencies:

  • Critical Thinking and Reasoning 
  • Information Literacy 

The student who is planning on transferring to a SUNY campus for a bachelor’s degree would find it advantageous to complete as much coursework as possible towards fulfilling the minimum of 30 credit hours from at least seven of the SUNY general education areas. In general, if a grade of “C” or higher is earned in a course in a particular Knowledge and Skill Area, that Area is satisfied at every SUNY campus. All CCC graduates obtaining an AA and AS will have met the SUNY General Education requirements upon graduation. SUNY has recognized the CCC courses listed as meeting the criteria for particular Knowledge and Skill Areas within its structure. As students select General Education electives within their chosen programs, they are encouraged to consult with their advisors to compile the most beneficial transfer package. Not doing so may result in transferring students having to spend an additional semester or longer at a SUNY institution in order to meet General Education requirements. The General Education Course Lists indicate all course at CCC that have General Education status.  

Associate in Arts Degree (AA), Associate in Science Degree (AS), and Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS)

In addition to the degree requirements set forth by the New York State of Education (NYSED) and the State University of New York (SUNY), AA, AS, and AAS programs will require any remaining credits (assigned to free electives or other program requirements) to bring the program to a minimum of 60 credits and not to exceed 64 credit hours. Approved waivers may allow an AA, AS, or AAS program to exceed 64 credits.  

Associate in Occupational Studies Degree (AOS)

Associate in occupational programs must contain a minimum of 60 credit hours and a program grade point average of 2.0 must be achieved for graduation. This degree has no liberal arts requirement but does require minimum core competencies in Information Literacy and Critical Thinking. 

Curriculum Requirements for AOS: 

  • A program core or concentration of courses ranging from 48 to 57 credit hours, based upon the specific career. This concentration is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions by focusing on the methods, techniques, and skills necessary to find employment upon graduation. Each program allows a minimum of nine credit hours of technical or free electives, which may include any credit course the College offers. 
Certificates

Certificate programs require approximately 30 hours of course-work in a specific career area.  Students do not earn an Associate’s degree, but most courses can be applied towards a degree if a student wishes to take additional courses later.