Technical Studies, A.A.S.

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The Blue Ridge Community and Technical College can customize this Associate of Applied Science degree for employers. Certificate programs requiring 32 credits for completion are also available.

Goals of the Technical Studies Program include:

To increase the abilities of employees to use technology effectively and responsibly.
To increase abilities of employees to communicate information effectively through reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
To develop employee’s abilities to solve problems through understanding, reasoning, research, and productive teamwork.
To assist those employed in the workforce to understand that education is a life-long process.

Degree programs implemented under this degree designation will include instruction consistent with the following components and categories.

This program is only for individuals whose employer is working with Blue Ridge Community and Technical College to ensure completion of this degree.

Curriculum for an Associate of Applied Science in Technical Studies

Component I – General Education Core	21
Component II – Technical Core	12
Component III – Occupational Specialty	18
Component IV – On-the-Job Training	13
Total Credit Hours Required	64

Component I – General Education Core

Communication and Life Skills

ENGL 101 - Written English (3) OR
ENGL 110 - Technical Writing & Communication (3)
Restricted Electives (6)

Social Awareness

PSYC 203 - Introduction to Psychology (3) OR
SOCI 203 - General Sociology (3)
Restricted Electives (3)

Critical & Analytical Thinking

MATH 100+ - Any Math 100 or above (3)
Restricted Electives (3)

Subtotal Credit Hours Required

Note:

Electives must be taken from the General Education core competency.

Component II – Technical Core

Each program of study must include a general technical core that meets the goal of developing skills that may be applied to a variety of occupations or that may be specific (12)

Subtotal Credit Hours Required

Component III – Occupational Specialty

The component consists of technical specialty courses specific to an occupational area. Industry based education and training programs are to be converted to college credit at the ratio of 15:1 and at a rate consistent with the lab hour/credit ratio of the degree granting institution for laboratory credit. (18)

Subtotal Credit Hours Required

Component IV – On-the-Job Training

The component consists of a paid or unpaid OJT, internship, or practicum performed in a business or industry setting in the occupational area. The on-the-job training component is to be converted to credit hours at a ratio of 150:1 with the maximum of 2,080 contact hours allowable. A statement of the total number of contact hours experience through on-the-job training will be placed on the college record. (13)

Subtotal Credit Hours Required