Build Your Future.Tuition-free at SUNY Erie!
The SUNY Reconnect program provides free associate degrees in high-demand fields like
advanced manufacturing, nursing and health professions, teaching & more for New York
State residents ages 25 to 55 with no college degree. While you are waiting for our
team to contact you, please begin the application process by signing up for workday.
Who Is Eligible?
New Yorkers 25-55 years old without a college degree who enroll in an eligible, full-time or part-time associate degree program.
See SUNY's FAQ
High-demand fields that'll boost your earning power!
Learn in-demand skills for work in fields including:
- Advanced manufacturing
- Artificial intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Engineering
- Green and renewable energy
- Nursing and allied health fields
- Pathways to teaching in shortage areas
- Technology
Nursing and Allied Health Fields
Health and Wellness Promotion
This program provides students with necessary knowledge to pursue graduate studies
in health-related fields or gain direct entry to a limited number of health promotion
careers.
Mental Health Assistant: Substance Abuse Counseling
This program prepares students for careers as substance abuse counselors and provides
ongoing training for individuals already employed in the field.
Nursing
This program combines nursing and general education courses with selected laboratory
experiences, during which students provide nursing care to clients in hospitals and
other health care facilities. Courses cover medical/surgical, obstetrics/gynecology,
pediatrics, and psychiatric nursing and utilizes current technologies. Nursing specific
classes are complemented with studies in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology,
psychology, sociology, English composition, and literature.
Radiation Therapy Technology
Program graduates are directly responsible for the actual daily treatment of patients
with the use of sophisticated radiation-producing equipment. They also are responsible
for delivering ionizing radiation (X-rays, gamma rays, electrons and protons) according
to the treatment plan as prescribed by the radiation oncologist.
Clinical Laboratory Technician
This program's curriculum encompasses a concentration of medical laboratory courses,
along with courses in the liberal arts, social science, sciences, and mathematics,
and students complete laboratory rotations at affiliated clinical sites. Graduates
are employed as clinical laboratory technicians in private, clinical, or hospital
laboratories and research institutions. They may also transfer to four-year institutions
or universities to pursue a BS degree in clinical laboratory science, as well as other
medical fields such as nursing, pre-medicine, and physician assistant.
Dental Hygiene
This program prepares graduates to become licensed health care professionals dedicated
to the maintenance of optimal oral health and the prevention of oral disease. These
professional goals are accomplished through community oral health education, through
delivery of preventive dental health services to individuals and through highly skilled
patient treatment.
Medical Assisting
This program prepares competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge),
psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Through a series
of specialized courses, laboratory work and practical field experience, students acquire
the competencies and standards of proficiency which are required for certification
by the American Association of Medical Assistants. The program also provides a broad
base of information which allows graduates to successfully continue their education
in a related medical field.
Occupational Therapy Assistant
This program prepares entry-level occupational therapy assistants for work in community
and institutional health care programs, providing direct and consultative occupational
therapy services to individuals, groups, communities, and populations. Students receive
instruction in theory and develop practical skills relating to occupational therapy
through classroom, laboratory, and fieldwork settings. Through second year course
work, students participate in fieldwork practice settings.
Respiratory Care
The program trains students to become respiratory therapists who, under medical direction,
work in the treatment, management, diagnostic evaluation and overall care, and education
of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. The
curriculum provides broad knowledge to academically prepare students to enter the
profession. Graduates secure employment in hospitals, and other acute care facilities,
skilled nursing facilities, physician offices, laboratories, and home care.
Vision Care Technology
This program offers classroom, clinical and laboratory training, that utilizes state
of the art instrumentation, for careers in the vision care field. To complement classroom
and laboratory training, students participate in two clinical externships at optometric
and ophthalmological private practices and vision centers. Graduates participate in
credentialing exams administered by the American Board of Opticianry and the National
Contact Lens Examiners, as well as state licensure exams through the Office of Professions,
New York State Education Department.
Emergency Medical Technology: Paramedic
This program is designed for both the career and volunteer provider. It requires students
to complete the SUNY general education courses and ensures that students complete
core development courses in math, English, science, humanities, social science, EMT
and other fields to be better rounded students and lifelong learners. Successful completion
of the program results in an Associate of Applied Science Paramedic Degree.
Engineering
Architecture Technology
This program educates students in the methods of technical design as applied to the
building process. Its curriculum includes teaching techniques, graphic representation,
work force skills, computer-aided drafting (CAD), and Building Information Management
(BIM) via enhanced software applications. Graduates are prepared to analyze, synthesize,
and evaluate buildings to produce effective technical design solutions and assume
integral positions within architectural firms.
Automotive Service Technician (AOS)
This AOS degree is a cooperative program where half of student learning is delivered
through coursework at SUNY Erie and the other half from work-based learning experiences
at partnering automotive repair facilities. It provides students with the necessary
knowledge and experience to be a successful automotive service technician and affords
them practical opportunities to sharpen their skills and abilities. Graduates are
employed as technicians, lead technicians, assistant foremen, shop foremen, parts
managers, service managers, or salespersons.
Automotive Technology
This program prepares graduates for the challenges of the auto industry. The curriculum
provides both theoretical and practical knowledge as students learn about electrical
systems, transmissions, trans-axles, engine performance, fuel and emissions, alignment
and suspension, air conditioning and heating, as well as mastering computer-assisted
mechanisms, and New York State inspection requirements.
Building Management & Maintenance
This program prepares graduates for key positions in facility operations and property
management. Students gain knowledge in the following areas: operation of a building's
mechanical system; overview of the building trades; and managerial/supervisory skills
and business practices. The training also includes computer simulations that provide
both problem solving and troubleshooting skills, as well as a curriculum with hands-on
activities.
Civil Engineering Technology
This AAS degree provides students with basic training in the concepts fundamental
to the development, design and construction of commercial, industrial, and public
structures, utilities, and highways. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required
for graduation.
Collision Technology
This AOS degree program qualifies graduates for employment as collision technicians,
painters, damage estimators, shop managers, detailers, and paint/body repair product
manufacturers. Students acquire these skills through a combination of coursework completed
in lectures, coupled with hands-on experience in labs at SUNY Erie or through internship
opportunities at local automotive collision facilities.
Computer Science
This program provides the coursework for the first two years of a four-year degree
in computer science. It prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions as
third-year students in a computer science program. Courses focus on communicating,
designing logical programs, working as a member of a project team, and understanding
potential areas of application.
Construction Management Engineering Technology
Objectives for this program are to secure employment in a technical career related
to construction management and continue education to a four-year construction management-related
program. Students receive a sound education in both the theory and the application
of quality construction principles for a variety of construction projects. They also
learn the basic methods, materials, techniques, and developments involved in the construction
industry.
Electrical Engineering Technology
This program prepares students for entry-level skills as technicians in the fields
of electronics, computers, communications, instrumentation, automation, and power.
It also provides the basis for transferring to a four-year engineering technology
program. Students receive a solid foundation in electrical and electronics theory
and hands-on laboratory experience. Computer simulation and applications are an integral
part of the curriculum.
Engineering Science
This program is designed to qualify students for transfer to a four-year engineering
program. Classes at the North Campus are small, and, in this intimate setting, learning
is greatly enhanced. The curriculum includes courses in English, social science, advanced
mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Students also take prescribed engineering courses
designed to facilitate transfer to baccalaureate engineering programs.
Environmental Science
This program provides students with the knowledge and technical experience needed
to transfer to a four-year degree program in environmental science, environmental
biology, or environmental studies. Through laboratory-oriented, multi-disciplinary
coursework, students gain a broad and integrated knowledge base of the basic sciences,
as well as knowledge of issues focusing on environmental integrity, sustainable resources,
and ecological problems.
Industrial Technology
This program provides training for CNC Machining and Programming and General/ Custom
Technology Degrees - Quality/ Manufacturing.
Information Technology
This AAS degree provides students with the skills needed to succeed in today's digital
world. For the first year of study, students acquire a broad business and real-world
perspective of information technology. In the second year, students choose one of
five areas in which to specialize: cybersecurity, management information systems,
networking, Oracle Academy Database, and programming. Graduates secure employment
in technical support, programming, and other computer-related fields or continue their
computer education at four-year institutions.
Mechanical Engineering Technology
This program offers an in-depth study of mechanical engineering technology courses,
as well as liberal arts and social science courses. Analytical mechanics, strength
of materials, fluid mechanics and electricity for mechanical equipment are among the
subjects covered in the curriculum. Graduates either assume positions as mechanical
technicians or continue their education toward a bachelor or advanced degree in engineering
or technology.
Pathways to Teaching in Shortage Areas
Liberal Arts & Sciences: Childhood Education
This AA degree provides a solid foundation of required coursework for seamless transfer
to BS education programs. Curriculum areas include SUNY general education courses,
subject area concentration courses, introductory education courses, and other required
core courses related to the childhood education curriculum. The program provides early
and direct access to teacher practitioners as students complete the clinical field
observation experiences in specific pedagogical courses.