Founded in 1959, and conveniently located just 25 miles from New York City, Rockland Community College serves as an education, cultural and workforce development resource for the region, with sites in Haverstraw, Orangeburg (Auto Tech Center) and Nyack (Hospitality & Culinary Arts Center), in addition to the main campus in Suffern, New York. The College offers a safe, supportive learning environment for thousands of students from diverse backgrounds who appreciate small class sizes and personal attention from a distinguished, award-winning faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors. The student body is composed of first-time college students, high school students getting a head start on college coursework, international students, and adult learners at all levels.
Thanks to the School’s affordable tuition, students who begin their career journey at RCC and then transfer to a four-year college, can save up to $100,000 on their education.
RCC is also proud to provide career training and professional development to adult learners looking to change careers or upgrade their skills through its Economic Mobility and Workforce Innovation Division.
Academics
The College offers associate degrees in Arts (AA), Science (AS) and Applied Science (AAS), and Certificate Programs across their Academic Schools: Arts, Education, Humanities & Social Sciences; Business & Professional Studies; Nursing, Health and Wellness; and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
Participation in student leadership training and community service projects is high. The average class size of 22 students, and the dedicated professional faculty, all help foster an engaged and stimulating academic environment. Mentoring, guidance, tutoring programs and non-academic support services assist students from admission through every step to their degree completion.
Real World Ready
Preparing today’s students to be “real world ready,” RCC’s degree and certificate programs offer a range of transfer and specialization options. Articulation agreements offer seamless transfer, and most RCC graduates continue their bachelor’s degrees at 4-year colleges. RCC offers workshops, counseling, practice interviews and “real world” internships to help students define and fulfill their personal and career goals. The College is also developing a robust for-credit microcredentialing program to prepare students for the workforce. The microcredential courses can also be counted as credit toward associate degrees.
Workforce Development
Rockland Community College’s Economic Mobility and Workforce Innovation division designs courses and programs with flexible schedules, small class numbers, and reasonably priced tuition to meet the requirements of working adults. The available programs help students find employment in fields where the average beginning salary is $40,000. The programs provide opportunities to gain industry-specific certificates or transfer into degree-seeking programs. Class options, fees, duration, and locations vary by program. Some individuals may qualify for scholarships and grants.
The College is dedicated to providing outstanding employment prospects in a competitive work market, and offers a wide selection of comprehensive certificate programs, including Healthcare, CDL, Google IT, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, and EMT. Many of these programs can be used toward associate degree programs too. Learn more at sunyrockland.edu/workforce.
Recognized for Diversity
Rockland Community College was selected as a Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award winner in 2021 and 2022 by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the nation’s oldest and largest diversity focused publication in higher education. The College is proud to be designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). It is fully committed to creating a diverse and equitable environment for all students. With about 30 percent of the student population identifying as Hispanic, RCC celebrates Hispanic culture and works to promote, support, and provide specialized programming for students and employees.
Additionally, the College is a designated Military Friendly Institution with specialized counselors assisting student veterans throughout their studies at RCC. Veteran-centered services include a dedicated lounge career workshops, financial literacy training, as well as social events and trips aligned with student veterans’ unique perspectives. Students with work or family obligations who are returning to an academic path or taking courses to transition to a new career, will find that RCC provides many resources to support their educational re-entry, including on-campus childcare, and weekend/evening or online classes.
Honors Program
The Sam Draper Honors Program offers a rigorous liberal arts or business curriculum for students seeking the opportunity to achieve excellence and transfer to premier academic programs. Honors students receive close mentoring from a faculty member with expertise in the student’s chosen academic discipline. Honors graduates have been welcomed at institutions including Harvard, Yale, Cornell, and the University of Pennsylvania. Honors students may also participate in a summer program at Cambridge in England.
Location and Activities
Located in the scenic Hudson Valley, Rockland Community College offers a picturesque campus with views of the surrounding mountains.
Public transportation from the campus provides local access and can connect students to the unique resources of New York City. Students can explore their interests and develop their skills on campus with more than 40 student clubs, honor societies, and a range of activities that include career networking, heritage celebrations, cultural events and fitness. Rockland Community College’s Hawks athletic teams compete in the Mid-Hudson Athletic Conference.
Housing
Rockland Community College is pleased to offer full-time students an off-campus housing option with shuttle service, at St. Thomas Aquinas College-STAC (10 miles away from RCC’s main campus) in Sparkill, N.Y. In addition to the shuttle, RCC students living on STAC’s campus have a meal plan and access to STAC’s facilities and services, including the Library, Fitness Center, Student Activities, Health Services, and more.
For more information visit sunyrockland.edu.