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JCC seeks registration for AOS Degree

Jamestown Community College is seeking to register a new two-year degree with New York State Education officials.

JCC Vice President of Academic Affairs Jessica Kubiak told trustees Tuesday that the proposed degree of Associate of Occupational Studies in Advanced Manufacturing and Machining addresses a critical workforce needed in Western New York’s manufacturing sector.

Kubiak added the proposed degree program is intended for students seeking immediate employment in that area. The program was developed in collaboration with local employers and aligns training outcomes with regional industry standards.

It is JCC’s first associate of Occupational Studies degree, she said.

“The AOS is a new degree type that JCC has not offered ever in its history,” Kubiak said. “It’s not an uncommon program type for schools that are really involved in applied technology education. This is something that I know our faculty have been very eager to do for quite a while.”

Kubiak noted JCC’s faculty worked together with colleagues in English, math, sociology and all areas to make sure that major components of JCC’s general education curriculum were retained, either as standing courses or embedded in some of the Advanced Manufacturing and Machining coursework.

“The program, for the most part, relies on existing courses. I think there were three courses that we added to the curriculum in order to make this happen,” Kubiak said.

Kubiak added the proposed program is large, but able to be completed in two years. The proposed program, she said, was created largely in part from feedback JCC officials received from regional employers.

Some courses in the program will be taught at the Manufacturing Technology Institute on JCC’s Jamestown campus. JCC also wants the program to be taught at the Olean campus as well.

Associate Professor of Welding Brent Harkness said the proposed AOS degree is a terminal degree.

“There is no bachelor’s to go into, so it doesn’t make any sense to run it (the proposed program) as an AAS (Associate of Applied Science) degree,” Harkness said.

JCC President Dr. Daniel DeMarte said once the proposed degree receives state approval, JCC should see an increase in enrollment in the degree area.

Trustees OK’d the resolution to register the proposed degree program, so now the application will go to State University of New York officials, and New York State Education Department Officials for approval.

For more information call (716) 338-1000 or visit sunyjcc.edu.

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