Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Applied Technology, A.A.S.


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If you have a trade and hope to increase your earning potential, consider a degree in Applied Technology. Specially designed for trade professionals (in areas such as carpentry, HVAC, surgical technology, culinary arts, automotive, masonry, agriculture, or information technology), the Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Degree in Applied Technology gives credit to students with existing national certifications and prepares their path to additional certifications.

Program Overview

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Applied Technology is a broad-spectrum technical studies degree program designed to accommodate the transfer of credit for students from a variety of technical, trade, and skills-based backgrounds. It is a useful option for individuals who wish to earn an applied degree and who have been trained in areas such as carpentry, automotive, masonry, agriculture, information technology, or other technical trades.

Students complete 9 hours of required general education courses as well as 15 hours of coursework from restricted content areas. Technical electives used to complete the program of study can be a combination of credits earned from previous college coursework, trade-based training or vocational studies, and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Additional technical electives can be selected by the student under the guidance of his or her academic advisor.

A student may not complete a Board of Governors A.A.S. and this degree.

Program Outcomes

  • Demonstrate the interpersonal and evaluative skills necessary to effectively provide and receive constructive feedback.
  • Identify ways in which lifelong learning and technical interests correlate with college level learning.
  • Exhibit skills necessary for a successful transition to other colleges/universities or into the workforce.
  • Apply work experience to reduce the average time toward earning a degree.
  • Assess historical, social, political trends that have shaped culture through completing general education courses.
  • Cultivate an understanding of basic computer concepts applicable in the real world environment.
  • Explain theoretical correlation of prior learning from previous experience and how it applies to the current degree path.
  • Identify soft skills necessary for successful transition into the technical workplace.

Career Opportunities

Upon earning an applied technology associate degree, students will be prepared to be chosen in their field because of enhanced skills. The skills earned from an applied technology degree can potentially earn a student over $1 million in extra income over a lifetime.

Note: All salary estimations are based on the current position and educational trends. Blue Ridge Community and Technical College cannot guarantee that the projections given will be the salaries students or graduates will ultimately receive.

Curriculum for an Associate of Applied Science in Applied Technology


General Education Core 9
Restricted Coursework 15
Field Experience 3
Technical Electives 33
Total Credit Hours Required 60

Restricted Coursework


  • Communication & Life Skills (6)
    (e.g. COMM, CAS 110, 111, 230, ENGL 101, 102, 110, 204, 208, MDIA 101)
  • Social Awareness (3)
    (e.g. ART 103, BUSN 160, CGEN 100, ECON 123, EDET 180, 181, ENGL 215, GSPE 210, HIST 101, 102, 201, 202, 210, IT 105, 269, MUSC 111, PHIL 100, 101, 201, PSYC 203, PSYC 210, SOCI 203)
  • Scientific & Quantitative Reasoning (6)
    (e.g. BIOL, CHEM 125, 127, 128, EDET 201, 202, GSPE 210, LTEC 120, 121, MATH, PHYS 103, 104)
  Subtotal Credit Hours Required 15

Field Experience


Technical Electives


  • Transfer credits and/or any combination of electives (33)
  Subtotal Credit Hours Required 33

Program Disclaimer


This curriculum includes a list of courses required for this program of study for this calendar year.  Your Academic Plan can be found on DegreeWorks once you become a degree-seeking student. 

Note: All salary projections are based on the current position and educational needs.  BRCTC cannot guarantee that the projections given will be the salaries students or graduates will ultimately receive.

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