Technical Studies, A.A.S.

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Blue Ridge Community and Technical College can customize this Associate of Applied Science degree for employers. Certificate programs requiring 30 credits for completion are also available.

Goals of the Technical Studies Program

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

Program Overview

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College (Blue Ridge CTC) and The Community and Technical College at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (CTC Tech) formed an Access Through Partnership agreement to offer courses for the Printing Technology degree.

For purposes of this agreement, the following definitions are provided:

Degree-granting institution: The institution that has the authority to grant the specific certificate or associate degree outlined in the partnership agreement.
Home Institution: The institution in which the student initially enrolls for general education or transfer specialization courses.
Access through Partnership Program (ATP): The agreed-upon certificate or associate degree transfer program.
Specialization courses: Discipline-specific courses designed for the certificate or associate degree.
Transfer Credit: Grades of “C” or better in agreed-upon courses.

Students enrolled in the Access Through Partnership program will: Meet prerequisite requirements for courses as specified in each courses, register for general education and specialization courses offered at their respective home institutions as outlined in the partnership agreement, complete a transfer to the degree-granting institution within 15 hours of anticipated graduation from the program, and conduct a graduation check with the registrar upon transfer to the degree granting institution.

Program Description

The associate of science degree in Printing Technology is designed to provide quality technical education to prepare technicians for the rapidly changing printing industry. The student will receive training in all of the basic skills required of the printing industry, and upon completion of the two-year program, should be qualified to enter the industry in a junior supervisory capacity directly responsible to the plant manager or supervisor. For the student wishing to pursue the plus-two baccalaureate Printing Management degree program, offered by WVU Tech, the associate program offers a well-rounded basis for advanced study.

Program Objectives

In addition to the learning outcomes set forth in the general education core curriculum for the associate degree, specific outcomes for this program have been established.

Upon completion of the Associate of Science degree in Printing Technology the student will be able to: design and prepare copy for publication, utilize desktop publishing software common to the printing industry, apply appropriate color theory to design and copy, appropriately bind and finish a printed document, and apply appropriate management skills for technical workers.

Access Through Partnership Agreement Printing Technology

Degree-Granting Institution: Community and Technical College at WVU Tech
Degree: Associate of Science, Printing Technology

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

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) OR
Restricted Electives (3)

Critical & Analytical Thinking

MATH 100+ - Any Math 100 or above (3) OR
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 to an occupation. (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. (15)

Subtotal Credit Hours Required