Can I claim the NY College Tuition Credit (IT-272) for my spouse who is a NY resident but went to college in another state?

My spouse is a NY resident but completed an undergraduate degree in another state earlier in 2017. In the instructions it says the college tuition credit can only be claimed if you were a full-year NY resident. Does going to college in another state mean he was a part-year NY resident? Does this also mean I can’t file a joint NY state return with him? He didn’t receive any income as a student in the other state.