Applied Technology, A.A.S.

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.