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About York College


York College, a senior college of The City University of New York (CUNY) in Jamaica, Queens, was founded in 1966 under the temporary name, Alpha College. York spent 20 nomadic years throughout Queens until pressure from students, faculty, staff and the external community of political, religious and generally engaged citizens, materialized in the magnificent 50-acre campus York now calls home.

In fall 2009, York reorganized its academic units into three distinct schools: Business and Information Systems; Health Sciences and Professional Programs; and Arts and Sciences. New programs have been added in aviation management, journalism and pharmaceutical sciences, and a four-year nursing program was implemented in 2011, which includes a high tech state-of-the-art simulation laboratory. York currently offers a BS in Gerontology and a BS/MS in Occupational Therapy, the only ones of their kind within CUNY. In 2014, the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences was re-organized and renamed the School of Health Professions. York College is accredited by the Middle States Commission of Higher Education.

York College is registered by the New York State Education Department (Office of Higher Education and the Professions, Cultural Education Center, Room 5B28, Albany, NY 12230; 518-474-5851). It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2680; 267-284-5000.

The following programs at York are accredited by their discipline associations:

  • Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc.,

  • The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.,

  • Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Council on Social Work Education,

  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation,

  • The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences,

  • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Since its first commencement exercises in 1971, York has graduated more 20,000 students and counts among its proud graduates, hundreds of physicians, research scientists, educators, attorneys and business executives in media, finance, technology and leaders in the United States Military.

The college's physical environment is constantly evolving to meet the changing requirements of students, faculty, programs and staff. Interior and exterior spaces are being upgraded and modernized to enhance learning, teaching and co-curricular experiences. In early 2011 the CUNY Board of Trustees approved a master plan amendment for the college, the first since 1996. The centerpiece of the new plan is the Academic Village and Conference Center (AVCC). The new building will replace the 4,000 square foot Classroom Building that will house state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, student lounges and recreation spaces, student services offices, and the School of Business as well as a conference center and museum that will be open to the public.

The Academic Village and Conference Center will transform educational experiences at all levels of engagement at the college and will help to continue fulfilling the founders' vision of strengthening the relationship between the college and the surrounding business and residential communities. The AVCC will serve as an iconic landmark in Jamaica, Queens.

Bulletin is accurate as of October 21, 2020. Updates can be found on the York College website.