Classroom - This SUNY Canton degree can be earned in a traditional classroom setting.
100% Online - This SUNY Canton degree can be earned entirely online.
Health Care Studies, AAS
The Associate of Applied Science in Health Care Studies is designed for students exploring careers in health care, allied health, or animal care while keeping future educational opportunities open. The fully online degree combines flexible coursework, hands-on learning experiences, and industry-focused micro credentials to prepare students for in-demand careers or seamlessly transfer into other SUNY Canton programs. Through three specialized pathways in pre-nursing, allied health, and animal care, students can build foundational skills, earn workforce-ready credentials, and create a personalized route to a variety of growing health-care professions.
This program creates a career-focused alternative for students pursuing our healthcare-related careers. 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.
- Michele A. Snyder, Ph.D.
Dean of the School of Science, Health, and Criminal Justice
Three Tracks, Multiple Career Paths
The program’s integrated multi-track approach prepares graduates for a range of rewarding career opportunities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects strong demand across these professions, with job growth meeting or exceeding the national average and median salaries ranging from about $35,000 to $62,000 per year.
Track A - Health Care
Designed with career advancement in mind, the Health Care track seamlessly allows LPN graduates to earn an associate degree with stackable credentials.
Employment statistics are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2025-2035 Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Track B - Allied Health
Through three stackable microcredentials, students can build workforce-ready skills in direct patient support or healthcare operations. Students can pursue in-demand roles as a Direct Support Professional or Medical Coder. The Direct Support Professional courses will prepare students for certification exams through the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals. The Medical Coding microcredential provides the necessary skills to complete the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) certification exams.
Employment statistics are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2025-2035 Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Track C - Animal Care
Designed for animal lovers who want to enter the growing field of veterinary care, this hands-on program provides the skills and knowledge needed to work in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and research settings. Students who complete the microcredential are eligible to pursue Veterinary Assistant certification through American Allied Health, opening the door to rewarding roles that support the health and well-being of animals while serving as an essential member of the animal healthcare team.
Employment statistics are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2025-2035 Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Office of Admissions
French Hall
SUNY Canton
34 Cornell Drive
Canton, NY 13617
(315) 386-7123 or
1-800-388-7123
Fax: (315) 386-7929
admissions@canton.edu
transfer@canton.edu