SUNY Alfred State College Nursing Program Review

Alfred State College (ASC, SUNY Alfred) was once called the Agricultural and Technical College at Alfred. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) in Allegany County in the city of Alfred, a rural area. The college has around 3,200 students enrolled in 18 baccalaureate degree areas or 60 associate degree areas. The university also awards certificates for numerous programs. One of the social events for which Alfred is known is Hot Dog Day, an annual event that is held in April. There are 12 residence halls on the campus, and students have the option of becoming part of a fraternity or sorority.

Nursing Programs

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

This associate degree program prepares Registered Nurses (RNs) to enter the workforce as entry-level RNs. The program is designed to take two years to complete, but if an individual needs more time to take prerequisite courses, it can be extended according to the student’s needs. Students must take a clinical lab once a week during the first year of the program and twice a week during the second year. Each lab lasts for seven hours. Alfred offers transportation to clinical sites. Students must have a computer with Internet access and Microsoft Word. They must also have an i-Pod Touch without a phone or camera, or with the camera disabled. Students must earn at least a C in the core courses and must meet the grade specifications for computing medication.

Students must demonstrate the physical ability to complete the duties of a RN to enter the program. This includes the ability to lift at least 30 pounds, to perform under stress, to adjust to changing situations, to maintain confidentiality, and to demonstrate effective communication orally and in the written word. If the applicant has not had algebra, biology, and chemistry at the high school level, then they must be completed at the college level. Admission requirements also include a minimum SAT score of 900. Before being eligible to graduate, a nursing student must have earned 40 credits of nursing courses, 12 credits of natural science, including anatomy and physiology and microbiology, 9 credits of social science, 6 credits of English and humanities, and 1 credit of physical education. At the completion of the AAS program at Alfred, graduates qualify to take the NCLEX-RN, the national exam that leads to licensure as a RN.

Another option for graduates is to transfer to a baccalaureate nursing program. Around 8 percent of the graduates at the college do this because of the 2 + 2 baccalaureate nursing program. Graduates of Alfred are eligible to enter upper level Bachelor of Science (BS) nursing programs after their credits at Alfred State are transferred to the BS program. There is also a program called 3 + 1 Transfer Program that allows students to complete their third year at Alfred State and then transfer to Brockport for their fourth year.

Nursing (BS)

Alfred State also offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) program. Applicants to the program must have an associate degree in nursing or a diploma from a nursing school. They must also be currently registered as professional RNs. Students complete upper level nursing courses plus two in-residence classes each semester. Applicants must have a grade point average of at least 2.0 in their associate degree program. By the time a student is qualified to graduate, he or she has completed 27 credits of upper level nursing courses, 3 credits of electives, 21 credits of liberal arts and sciences, and 12 credits of upper level liberal arts electives. One credit of physical education is also required. After completing the program, graduates may take the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain their licensure as Registered Nurses.

Contact:
Alfred State College
10 Upper College Drive,
Alfred, New York 14802
(800) 425-3733