Technical Studies, A.A.S.

This program is exclusively designed for students or prospective students currently employed by an employer who is working with Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. Our program allows employers to customize a course of study for their employees while giving them the skill sets to use technology effectively sharpen communication skills, and develop practical problem-solving strategies.

Program Overview

The Blue Ridge Community and Technical College can customize this degree program for employers. Certificate programs are also available.

Goals of the Technical Studies Program include:

Cultivate the abilities of employees to use technology effectively and responsibly.
Implement strategies for employees to communicate information effectively through reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Develop employee’s abilities to solve problems through understanding, reasoning, research, and productive teamwork.
Identify ways in which lifelong learning and technical interests correlate with college-level learning.
Demonstrate the interpersonal and evaluative skills necessary to effectively provide and receive constructive feedback.

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

Career Opportunities

Completing this degree may enhance your professional skill sets and may increase your opportunities for upward mobility.

Curriculum for an Associate of Applied Science in Technical Studies

Component I – General Education Core	15
Component II – Technical Core	12
Component III – Occupational Specialty	18
Component IV – On-the-Job Training	15
Total Credit Hours Required	60

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

Component I – General Education Core

ENGL 101 - ~English Composition I (3) OR
ENGL 110 - ~Technical Writing & Communication (3)
MATH 101 or Higher (3)
Restricted Electives in CAS, COMM, ENGL, ESL, or LANG (3)
Restricted Electives in ECON, HIST, PSCI, PSYC, or SOCI (3)
Restricted Electives in BIOL, CHEM, COMM, ECON, ENGL, ESL, LANG, HIST, MATH, MLT, PSCI, PSYC, or SOCI (3)

Note: Restricted Electives must be taken from the General Education Core Competency list.

Subtotal Credit Hours Required 15

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 to an occupation.

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.

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.

Subtotal Credit Hours Required

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.