CANTON – SUNY Canton is launching a new program for students interested in health care, allied health, or animal care careers, and who may also be interested in continuing their education. 

The college will begin offering a new Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Care Studies for fall 2027. The online program offers a flexible pathway that combines coursework, hands-on learning, and the college's signature microcredentials. 

"This program creates a career-focused alternative for students pursuing our healthcare-related careers," said School of Science, Health, and Criminal Justice Dean Michele A. Snyder, Ph.D. "It is positioned as a new opportunity for students and a workforce development initiative, using our college's resources while addressing healthcare and animal care labor shortages in the North Country and New York State."

Each of the three flexible career pathways, or tracks, combines degree coursework to prepare students for in-demand college programs. 

• Track A allows pre-nursing majors to meet competitive prerequisite program requirements.
• Track B is flexibly designed to meet the needs of an allied health career-seeking student, with several microcredentials available in direct support professional, medical coding, and health care management.
• Track C offers an allied health animal care option and a microcredential for students interested in working at a veterinary office or in an assisting career.

"Healthcare is highly collaborative, and exposing students to different healthcare professions early in their education can help them better understand the variety of roles that contribute to patient care," said Assistant Professor & Nursing Department Chair Angelina Glover, D.N.P. "I see the Health Care Studies program as an opportunity to meet students where they are, provide them with a clear pathway toward a healthcare career, and help them develop the academic and professional foundation necessary for success."

Assistant Professor & Veterinary Science Technology Department Chair Dr. Wendy Kuceyeski noted that the program provided a new way to gain admission to the college's highly competitive veterinary science programs and to learn foundational skills. "The new program will also offer more electives for our Veterinary Science Technology students and provide a pathway for students who would like to earn a Veterinary Assistant certificate without committing the time necessary to complete an associate or bachelor's degree," the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine said. 

Due to the multi-track approach integrated into this program, students have several career paths available after graduation. Each of those fields is expected to grow as fast as the average, or faster, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with median salaries ranging from approximately $35,000 to $62,000 annually. 

Health Care Studies is the college's 21st associate degree and joins a wide selection of programs available online or through the college's signature flex classes. Like many programs, it is designed to lead students directly into several of SUNY Canton's bachelor's degree programs. It is one of at least three new academic programs expected to begin next year.