(BINGHAMTON, New York – Nov. 07, 2019) SUNY Empire State College President Jim Malatras and SUNY Broome Community College President Kevin Drumm today announced a new partnership making it easier for SUNY Broome students to advance their health care careers with an online bachelor’s degree in Allied Health from SUNY Empire. 

This is the first partnership in New York state that helps students with an associate degree in an allied health field pursue a bachelor’s degree. 

The demand for health care workers between now and 2020 is projected to grow nearly twice as fast as the national economy in the United States. Allied health professionals – which includes a broad range of health care practitioners who are not doctors, nurses, or dentists – make up approximately 60 percent of the health care workforce, with more and more jobs requiring bachelor’s and master’s degrees. 

The agreement provides guaranteed admission for eligible students in SUNY Broome’s Dental Hygiene, Health Information Technology, Medical Assistant, Physical Therapy Assistant, and Radiologic Technology associate degree programs to SUNY Empire’s Bachelor of Science in Allied Health program. SUNY Empire will waive the orientation fee for transfer students, provide a $100 Presidential Scholarship, and support the students in their transition to online learning. 

The flexible online bachelor’s degree at SUNY Empire is designed to help working health care practitioners advance their careers with a degree that focuses on core competencies for health care professionals, which prepares them to improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. 

“Our partnership will streamline opportunities for SUNY Broome students in the health care field to also earn a bachelor’s degree that works around their schedule,” said SUNY Empire State College President Jim Malatras. “It’s a win-win for the students and for many communities facing a shortage of qualified health workers in critical areas of need. We are always working to make higher education more accessible to everyone. I want to commend the faculty and staff at both institutions for making this first of its kind partnership possible.” 

“This partnership is a win not only for our students, but for our region’s health care providers, who are in great need of trained allied health professionals,” said SUNY Broome President Kevin E. Drumm. “SUNY Broome has been a workforce development leader since our inception more than 70 years ago and partnerships such as these demonstrate our continued commitment to our region and to our students’ futures.” 

“This partnership is great news for Broome County and SUNY Broome and we are so excited to watch our students continue to succeed through this new program,” said County Executive Jason Garnar. “Not only is the program a benefit for the students, but for workforce development as it will help us fill the thousands of open jobs in our community, many of which are in the health care industry.” 

“This new partnership between SUNY Broome and SUNY Empire will help meet the growing demand for health care professionals in our community and across the state,” said Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo. “Guaranteed admission to SUNY Empire will give many students a clearer path to a bachelor’s degree. The flexibility of the online curriculum will also appeal to many of SUNY Broome’s non-traditional students who are already working to gain needed professional experience.” 

“It is very encouraging to see two respected educational institutions in New York work together to help medical professionals in our communities grow their careers,” said Assemblyman Clifford W. Crouch. “It is crucial we continue to bolster our medical professional numbers in New York, as we continue to see shortages. I am thrilled to see SUNY Broome play a part in this partnership, and I cannot wait to see the success it brings to students and medical professionals in our communities.” 

“The program provides an opportunity for seamless academic progression to the Bachelor of Science degree and beyond,” said Dr. Kim Stote, associate dean for the SUNY Empire School of Nursing and Allied Health. “The Bachelor of Science in Allied Health degree option will allow students to gain the additional knowledge, skills and competencies to move into new roles within health care and achieve personal and professional goals.” 

Click here for more information about this partnership. 

Click here to see photos from the signing. 

About SUNY Broome 

SUNY Broome Vision: (Adopted 2017) Learning today, transforming tomorrow.; SUNY Broome Mission: SUNY Broome Community College supports all members of the learning community by creating access to inclusive, diverse educational experiences. Success is achieved through the provision of innovative academics, transformative student support, and meaningful civic & community engagement. We realize our mission by fostering an environment that exemplifies the college’s institutional goals to the highest quality. 

About SUNY Empire State College

SUNY Empire State College educates students at any stage of life with a personalized learning experience delivered online, in person, or a blend of both. Since 1971, SUNY Empire has empowered students to earn an accredited degree around the demands of a busy lifestyle to advance their personal and professional goals. With world-class faculty, more than 1,300 dedicated mentors to help students tailor their degree programs, and cutting-edge distance learning technology, SUNY Empire delivers a trusted and flexible online college experience grounded in more than 30 New York state locations and seven international sites where students can learn and collaborate in person. Our nearly 50 years as a leader in awarding credit for prior learning and life experience helps students earn a degree faster and at lower cost. To learn more, visit www.esc.edu and follow @SUNYEmpire.