OCC, Keuka College sign agreement for bachelor’s degree in social work at OCC

ONONDAGA, N.Y. — Officials with Onondaga Community College (OCC) and Keuka College on Monday signed a dual admission and general transfer agreement for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Students accepted into the dual-admission program who earn an associate degree from OCC in human services will be able to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work from Keuka College on the OCC campus, online, or on the Keuka College campus.

OCC also expects that the new program will be part of its Weekend College this August, pending approval by SUNY and the New York State Department of Education.

OCC and Keuka College met early last summer to begin the discussions about the agreement, Onondaga Community College (OCC) President Casey Crabill said in her remarks to open the Monday morning ceremony at OCC.

“I think both institutions understood that there was some urgency in really making a better pathway for students from our human-services program to a bachelor’s in social work program,” the OCC president added.

This is a dual admissions program.

“Keuka College will make its education readily attainable to OCC students by offering courses at its own campus and on the OCC campus, so this provides some accessibility,” Crabill said.

Keuka College graduates a large number of students who stay in the area, which is “very common” for community colleges and Onondaga Community College, Keuka College President Amy Storey said in her remarks during the morning signing ceremony.

“70 percent of our alumni stay in upstate New York. My greatest hope is that with the need that we know … continues to grow for well trained social workers that we are able to fulfill that need in our communities,” Storey said.

Located on the shore of Keuka Lake, Keuka College has a 290-acre campus with more than 1,100 students and about 300 employees. The school is the largest private employer in Yates County.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com