FLCC, Empire State College announce cybersecurity transfer agreement

FLCC and Empire State College announce a new transfer agreement to streamline the path for cybersecurity students to complete bachelor’s degrees.

Finger Lakes Community College and SUNY Empire State College today announced a new agreement allowing guaranteed admission of graduates from FLCC who have earned an associate degree in networking and cybersecurity to SUNY Empire’s new bachelor of science in security studies program. SUNY Empire’s bachelor of science in security studies will help prepare qualified professionals to meet the national and global security challenges of the 21^st century in high-demand areas such as homeland security, emergency management, disaster relief, and law enforcement.

The agreement was celebrated with an online signing ceremony that included FLCC and Empire faculty and staff as well as SUNY administrators.

Accepted graduates of FLCC’s networking and cybersecurity program will bring their design, troubleshooting, and security skills to SUNY Empire’s program, the first fully online, accredited bachelor of science in security studies degree program within the SUNY system.

Many FLCC students could complete their bachelor’s degree in a total of about three years, saving them time and money on their education. The FLCC associate degree is also fully online, meaning a student could complete the entire pathway from anywhere in the state or the nation.

SUNY Empire and FLCC have enjoyed longstanding articulation agreements. Since 2013, 259 students have transferred from FLCC to SUNY Empire to study business, human services, science, math, and technology. The agreement is designed to support transfer students during their transition to a baccalaureate degree program with an educational model that is flexible, affordable, and allows them to continue their education in the Finger Lakes community.

“As the world changes rapidly, we need qualified security professionals who can address the complex issues facing our communities today, from the threats posed by climate change to questions of privacy and security in a networked world,” said SUNY Empire President Jim Malatras. “This agreement between FLCC and SUNY Empire means students can complete their bachelor's degree in this field faster and at a lower cost, with a flexible online format built for busy lives. Thank you to President Nye and to our colleagues at Finger Lakes Community College for creating this new opportunity for their students.”

“Finger Lakes Community College faculty in networking and cybersecurity constantly monitor the industry and pursue advanced certifications to keep our curriculum meaningful and relevant,” said Finger Lakes Community College President Robert Nye. “Now, this agreement with SUNY Empire State College gives our well-prepared students a clear path to specialize and advance their skills. This is the strength of the SUNY system. It enables us to build pathways of opportunity throughout our state.”

The SUNY Empire and FLCC pathway also allows students to transfer as many as 79 lower-division credits to SUNY Empire, more than half of the 124 credits required to earn a bachelor’s degree. In addition to traditional transfer credit for courses completed at Finger Lakes Community College, SUNY Empire also offers the opportunity for students to earn college credits for work and life experience through its Prior Learning Assessment process, which will help to reduce the overall cost of the bachelor’s degree, and help graduates enter the workforce quickly, and without comprising their education.

Here are more details about the agreement:

• In addition to guaranteed admission to the security studies program, FLCC graduates will be granted a waiver of the $50 orientation fee and a one-time $100 transfer scholarship.
• The agreement applies to anyone who completed the FLCC networking and cybersecurity degree in the last three years, making recent alumni eligible.
• FLCC employees who wish to enroll in graduate studies at Empire State College are eligible for the $50 waiver and $100 scholarship as well.
• Special provisions for active military, veterans, and military spouses that include waivers of all mandatory fees, such as the technology fee

Alumni or students with questions about the Empire State College B.S. in security studies should contact Andrea Hemmerich, student services counselor, at Andrea.Hemmerich@flcc.edu.