Mohawk Valley Community College is the oldest community college in New York State, beginning operations in 1946. Approximately 30,000 individuals have earned degrees or certificates at MVCC; many remain in the Mohawk Valley, and can be found in virtually every profession from nursing to highway construction, and banking and manufacturing to law enforcement and telecommunications. Today, MVCC serves more than 5,000 full-time and part-time students annually, on campuses in Utica and Rome. The College offers more than 80 Associate degrees and certificates in a wide range of disciplines, including liberal arts and sciences, business, health care, engineering technology, hospitality, human services and elementary education, fine art, graphic communication, engineering science, and many others. Included in MVCC's degrees are "career" programs, which prepare graduates to enter the work force immediately, and "transfer"programs which prepare students to continue their education in four-year colleges or universities. MVCC credits are widely accepted; beginning a four-year education at MVCC often helps students save a great deal of money on the cost of their education.