Certificate Programs

Cayuga’s certificate programs are registered with the New York State Department of Education (the number in parentheses after the program title represents the New York State Education Department HEGIS code). You may need to attend evening classes if you wish to complete a certificate program as outlined in this catalog.

Federal Gainful Employment regulations require that students receive information about potential occupations and expenses related to their certificate goals. 

See Tuition and Fees for information on tuition, fees, books, and other expenses associated with your certificate program.

These programs may be appropriate if you are seeking specific skills but have yet to decide to pursue a two-year degree.

Certificate Programs Definition

• Vary in length of time;
• may be pursued either full- or part-time;
• should be started in the fall or summer to take advantage of sequential course offerings; and
• require a cumulative average of 2.0 (C) with completion of all courses listed in the program (Some certificates require completion of certain courses with at least a C grade.)

Certificate Programs Offered

• Advanced Manufacturing (5315)
• Computer Hardware/Software Design (5104)
• Computer Information Systems (5101)
• Early Childhood (5503)
• Electronics (5310)
• Event Management (5011)
• General Business (5001)
• Industrial Maintenance Technology (5312)
• Plastics Manufacturing (5305)
• Tourism Management (5011)

Qualifications For a Certificate

To qualify for a certificate from Cayuga, you must:

• Matriculate and complete the certificate requirements with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. You are matriculated if you have been formally accepted as a candidate for a certificate program.
• Be recommended by the faculty for the certificate.
• Earn at least 50% of the credit hours at Cayuga. Exceptions to this policy may be made in keeping with intercollegiate articulations or other inter-organizational agreements.
• Apply for Graduation in myCayuga at least one semester before graduation to allow sufficient time to determine graduation eligibility. Failure to apply will not preclude the college from awarding a certificate to students who have completed all requirements.
• Satisfy all financial obligations at the time of graduation.

Advanced Manufacturing

This program prepares students for a career in the evolving advanced manufacturing field. Students develop expertise using manufacturing materials and processes and production tools and equipment. The program can be completed in one year, and students can apply the Advanced Manufacturing certificate credits toward the Mechanical Technology AAS degree.

Computer Hardware/Software Design

This program prepares students for a career in computer hardware and software design. 

Computer Information Systems

To be eligible for this certificate, the student must receive a grade of C or higher in all computer science (CS) courses. More than two semesters of study may be required to complete this certificate, and the student may also be required to attend evening classes.

Early Childhood

If the student enrolls full-time, this program can be completed in two semesters. Students who earn the Early Childhood Certificate may seek employment in child care programs, as teacher assistants, or as preschool teachers, or they may pursue study towards an AAS degree in Early Childhood.

Requirements

Students must be physically able to satisfactorily and safely perform duties associated with the care and education of children from birth to eight years of age.

To enroll in field experience coursework (ECH 104), students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher.

Transfer for Early Childhood or Education course credit will only be granted after transcript review by the Education Coordinator.

Students are required to have police and child abuse clearances and physical examinations prior to beginning their field experience class (ECH 104).

Note: A prior felony conviction may hinder a student’s ability to enroll in a course or complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or meet the criteria for licensure required by certain professions. Students with certain criminal histories will not be able to satisfy field experience requirements for the completion of the certificate. In addition, students are required to submit to alcohol and/or drug testing upon request by either the College or any of the cooperating field placement sites. Students who test positive are subject to removal from the field placement and will, therefore, not be able to satisfy the requirements for the completion of the certificate. Refusal to submit to the test will result in the student being asked to leave the field placement site and may result in dismissal from the course and/or the program. Students must be able to satisfactorily and safely perform the duties associated with the care and education of children. Technical Standards for the degree may be obtained from the Education Coordinator or from the Office of Accessibility Resources.

Graduation Requirements: In order to graduate with the Certificate in Early Childhood, students must demonstrate competency (a grade of 70 or higher) in five Key Assessments. The Key Assessments are completed in each of the core Early Childhood courses (ECH 101, 102, 104, 110, and 111). This requirement also applies to students who have transferred credits to Cayuga from another college.

Technical Standards for the degree are available from the Education Coordinator or download the Technical Standards for Educational Programs here.

Electronics

This program can be completed in a minimum of four semesters. Upon completion of the certificate requirements, students may wish to continue their study toward an A.A.S. degree in Electrical Technology.

Event Management

1-YEAR ONLINE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Learn how to plan, organize, and manage meetings, coordinate service functions, develop marketing plans, sharpen sales techniques, and evaluate services for improvement.

The Event Management Certificate at Cayuga Community College offers students a fully online certificate designed to prepare them for careers with an event planning company or industries needing experts in planning events, including hotels, conference centers, corporations, non-profit organizations, catering companies and entrepreneurs in event planning.

The program must be completed online in a minimum of two semesters. Select degree requirements may be offered on campus and online.

General Business

The program can be completed in a minimum of two semesters.

Industrial Maintenance Technology

This program is designed to prepare students for a career in the manufacturing workplace with hands-on skills in mechanical and electrical installation and repair and industrial process instrumentation and control. Local employers have made it clear that these skills are in high demand. Employment opportunities include electrical technician, service technician, and maintenance technician.

Plastics Manufacturing

Plastics and polymer manufacturing constitute the fifth-largest manufacturing sector in the United States. Students learn about the plastics industry and the equipment, materials, and processes commonly used in manufacturing.

Tourism Management

This one-year, 30-credit-hour certificate program in tourism management prepares students for entry-level careers in tour companies, tourism bureaus, destination marketing organizations (DMO)/tourism promotion agencies (TPA), visitor centers, cruise lines, inns, and hotels. It will provide students with the necessary skills to work effectively in the tourism industry. Besides business ownership, possible occupations include tour operators, travel promoters, travel guides, visitor center staff, destination marketing organization staff, and more.

Upon successful completion of this certificate program, graduates of this program are able to:

• Demonstrate and apply an understanding of the tourism industry, tourism concepts, the role of tourism services, and various stakeholders involved in the industry
• Communicate professionally in verbal and written settings using technology and office productivity tools
• Coordinate marketing for a tourism operation utilizing traditional methods and social media techniques
• Employ management principles such as time management and multitasking in the tourism environment

The program can be completed in a minimum of two semesters.