Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Catalog 
    
2015-2016 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 degree in applied technology gives credit to students with existing national certifications and accelerates 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 12 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.

Student may not complete a Board of Governors AAS and this degree.

Career Opportunities

Upon earning an applied technology associate degree, students will excel in their chosen 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 current position and educational trends. Blue Ridge and The School of Professional Studies and University Transfer 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 and Life Skills (6)
    (e.g. English, Speech, Business Communications, Music)
  • Social Awareness (3)
    (e.g. Psychology, Sociology, Government, Economics)
  • Critical and Analytical Thinking (6)
    (e.g. Math, Biology, Chemistry, Project Management)
  Subtotal Credit Hours Required 15

Field Experience


Technical Electives


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

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