What is a Pathway?
Pathway
A Pathway is a sequence of well-defined “steps” that lead you to your destination.
Guided Pathway
A guided pathway is an intentionally designed, clear, coherent and structured educational experience that seeks to guide each student efficiently from entry through attainment of high-quality credentials or degrees
Racial Equity for Adult Credentials in Higher Ed (REACH)
SUNY REACH is part of the Lumina Foundation’s Racial Equity for Adult Credentials in Higher Ed (REACH) grant initiative. SUNY Westchester Community College is one of 15 community colleges in the State University of New York system taking part in this multi-year initiative aimed at creating pathways for Black, Hispanic, and Native American adults to earn quality credentials that lead to degrees, high-wage sustainable jobs, and economic mobility. They collaborate with states and community colleges to replace systems and beliefs that unfairly prevent adult learners of color from achieving a better education and life with pathways, supports, and practices that recognize and value their distinct lived experiences.
Credentials to Degrees Pathways
Adult learners frequently experience life’s obstacles, which force them to postpone or give up on their education entirely. They have lost both money and valuable time, and their labors have yielded nothing in return. Students can make short-term progress toward their ultimate goal while following a clear path to success with non-degree credentials offered in an associate degree sequence. Employer verification ensures that REACH’s Credentials to Associates Pathways offer relevant professional skills and are concentrated on granting access to high-wage careers in expanding industries.
SUNY WCC provides a variety of credit and non-credit programs that prepare students to enter or advance in the workforce. There are three credit certification courses available entirely online – cybersecurity, medical billing, and medical coding – as well as non-credit credential options in health care and digital arts that can be earned individually or in combination to increase skills. Students who begin in non-credit course pathways may now transfer to related certificate and/or degree programs.
Pathways for Adult Learners (PALS) provides:
- Individual support and guidance to meet the unique needs of adult students from initial inquiry through the achievement of their educational goals
- A clearing house for information about the available pathways for students to prepare for a career
PALS exists for all adult learners (25 and up) interested in or enrolled at SUNY WCC. No registration required.
Pathways to Success
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High School Equivalency Diploma
- Prepare for the New York State exam to earn the equivalent of a high school diploma for non-high school graduates.
- Earn the HSE Diploma only or apply it towards a certificate or degree.
Short-Term Credential
- Learn highly valuable skills to enter today’s workforce or advance in your career field.
- Typically, a few weeks long.
- Earn industry-recognized badges that can be stacked together and used alone or towards a certificate or degree.
Certificate Program
- May be credit or non-credit.
- Skills-oriented; a concentrated course of study.
- Typically, can be earned within one year of full-time study.
Degree
- Combines general education and required degree courses leading to a 2-year Associate degree.
- A.A.S. degrees prepare students for entry into the workforce.
- A.A. and A.S holders may transfer to a 4-year institution to earn a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
Other credit-free options
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Training, College Prep, and Other Non-Credit Courses
Senior Audit
- For seniors (60 years of age or older)
- Audit credit courses on a space-available basis
- Fee; limit 2 courses per semester, with approval
- https://www.sunywcc.edu/continuing-ed/lifelong-learning-for-all-ages/mainstream-for-mature-adults/senioraudit
English for Speakers of Other Languages
Personal Enrichment Classes
- Leisure and Recreation
- Lifelong Learning
- Personal Development
Seasonal catalog available at: https://www.sunywcc.edu/continuing-ed/ce/
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