Partnership with SUNY Potsdam Paves Pathway for Aspiring Teachers

Jefferson Community College (JCC) and SUNY Potsdam have partnered once more to offer jointly registered degree programs in Early Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 2, and Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 6, allowing students the opportunity to dual major and complete their associate and bachelor’s degrees in four years, without interruption. The partnership comes in a timely manner as New York State faces a teacher shortage.   

The jointly registered Early Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 2, A.A./B.A. program is intended for students interested in teaching children from early childhood to second grade. 

The jointly registered Childhood Education, Birth–Grade 6, A.A./B.A. program is intended for students interested in teaching children in a daycare, pre-kindergarten and/or elementary school setting. Graduates will be ready to teach children from early childhood through sixth grade.

Benefits of the jointly registered program include completing only one college application, guaranteed acceptance into the programs, joint advisement, cross registration of classes, opportunity to earn two college degrees in four years, no need to travel to Potsdam as classes are held on JCC’s campus through the Jefferson Higher Education Center (JHEC) and seamless transfer without interruption.

“We at SUNY Potsdam are proud to broaden our partnership with JCC through our creation of this new jointly registered program, a program that will give greater flexibility and increased opportunity to the next generation of educators in the North Country,” said SUNY Potsdam Officer-in-Charge Dr. Philip T. Neisser ’79.

Jefferson Community College Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Jerilyn E. Fairman said, “Our partnership with SUNY Potsdam provides a formal plan of study for students to complete two degrees in a relatively short amount of time and more importantly, prepares students to fill the need for teachers in the North Country.” 

In addition to the Early Childhood Education and Childhood Education jointly registered program, JCC and SUNY Potsdam offer a jointly registered program in Business Administration A.S./B.S.  

Furthermore, as of Fall 2019, SUNY Potsdam conditionally guarantees admission to all JCC associate degree graduates. 

As a JHEC partner, SUNY Potsdam offers graduate programs on JCC’s campus. Students can choose from master’s degree programs in curriculum and instruction, literacy specialization or literacy education. Students may then pursue a Certificate of Advanced Study in inclusive and special education. 

SUNY Potsdam’s graduate programs are flexible with classes held on weeknights or weekends to meet the needs of working professionals. Both full- and part-time courses of study are available, and graduates of the jointly registered A.A./B.A. programs could be eligible for automatic admittance.

To apply for admission to JCC and SUNY Potsdam, visit www.sunyjefferson.edu/apply. There is no admissions application fee. To learn more about SUNY Potsdam’s programs and partnerships with JCC, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/watertown.