About the Academic Catalog

Welcome to Westchester Community College’s Academic Catalog. The main function of the catalog is to establish, at a specific moment in time, the requirements and course information necessary to complete a degree or certificate at Westchester Community College. Information about admissions, policies, procedures, and resources for students can also be found in the catalog.

Navigating the Catalog

In the left column, there is a menu of search options and links including the list of Programs of Study and General Education Requirements. To return to the catalog home page at any time, select the Catalog Home link in the left-hand navigation. In addition to the standard search, the Advanced Search option is useful when searching for specific keywords or phrases throughout the catalog and within specific sections.

Catalog Editions and Program Requirements — Which Catalog Edition Do I Follow?

Students must follow the Program of Study according to the semester/year they entered a particular program. Program requirements are locked-in based on the year and semester that a student enrolls in a program. It is important that a student utilizes the correct catalog edition to plan course schedules and review progress. The program requirements listed within this catalog edition are for students enrolling from Fall 2020 to Summer 2021. Students who entered their programs of study during other semesters will find their specific requirements listed in the catalog edition under which they entered. A student who changes programs of study should refer to the catalog edition in effect at the time of program change.

Catalog editions can be selected by using the drop-down menu found at the top right corner of the main content area on all catalog pages. This menu provides access to catalogs dating back to Fall 2009.

Catalogs pre-dating Fall 2009 are accessible at the Harold L. Drimmer Library, located on our main campus in Valhalla.

The Academic Catalog and the College Website — Where to Go for What?

The catalog and the college website work together to share information. The catalog serves as a reference for the requirements necessary to complete an academic program (degree or certificate) at Westchester Community College and as a reference for course information. The college website serves as a more general tool for accessing information about the college and its services.

The best place to start a search for general information is on the college website at www.sunywcc.edu. Use the navigation system in the upper right of this page to navigate and search the college website. The navigation system in the upper right also links to frequently visited pages of the college website.

Students are encouraged to access catalog information online as needed, printing from it only when necessary. Academic counselors will print relevant excerpts for students during counseling visits. A student who needs help understanding the catalog or has additional questions should contact the Registrar’s Office at 914-606-6810 or the Counseling Office at 914-606-6572 for further assistance. 

Award Types Defined and Second Degrees

Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Science (A.S.) Degrees Defined

The purpose of the A.A. and A.S. is to build a foundation in a discipline, then continue to higher levels of education by transferring to a four-year institution. The A.A. contains liberal arts credits; including coursework in the arts, humanities and social sciences, and provides flexibility to pursue several careers. Conversely, coursework for the A.S. contains some liberal arts credits and coursework also directly applicable to a clearly defined career path.

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree Defined

The purpose of the A.A.S. is to be fully trained for immediate employment upon graduation. Students who opt to continue on to pursue higher levels of education are encouraged to check with the receiving institution regarding transferability of credits.

Certificates Defined

Certificate programs are designed to provide a mix of theory and practical training leading to immediate employment upon completion. People who pursue certificates might have an advanced degree and typically want to learn new skills and acquire knowledge. Others might enroll in a certificate program to “test the waters,” with an eye toward pursuing an associate’s degree.  Credits earned now in a credit-bearing certificate will apply later toward an associate’s degree at Westchester Community College.

Second Degrees

A second associate degree for a specific concentration in a discipline which a student has already completed a degree is not academically recognized nor allowable. For instance:

• If an Associate in Science: Liberal Arts and Sciences/Mathematics and Science has been earned, an additional Associate in Science: Liberal Arts and Sciences/Mathematics and Science with a concentration (Biology, Chemistry, Health Science, or Mathematics) is not allowed.
• If an Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts and Sciences/Humanities has been earned, an additional Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts and Sciences/Humanities degree with a concentration (Art Studio, English, History, Honors, or Spanish) is not allowed.
• If an Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts and Sciences/Social Sciences has been earned, an additional Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts and Sciences/Social Sciences with a concentration (Anthropology, Economics, History, Honors, Psychology, or Sociology) is not allowed.

This second associate degree policy also applies to all other degrees with concentrations, including but not limited to: Engineering Science A.S., Liberal Arts and Sciences/Childhood Education A.S., and Business Management A.S.

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