General Degree Requirements
The general requirements for an associate degree from OTC are as follows:
- At least 60 semester hours of college credit.
- The completion of minimum requirements specified for each program.
- An OTC cumulative grade point average of 2.00 (C) or better (Note: transfer grades do not count toward meeting this requirement).
- Completion of appropriate courses to satisfy the requirements in state and federal constitutions and in American history and regulatory infrastructures.See the course requirements for the appropriate courses.
- Approval of the candidate for a degree by faculty and administration.
A candidate for a certificate or degree must:
- File an “Application for Graduation” the semester prior to graduation with the Office of the Registrar.
- For Technical Education courses, an approved technical skill assessment (TSA) should be taken by students who have completed a CTE program.
- Contact the Office of the Registrar for deadline dates.
The following degree and certificate policies should be noted:
Prerequisite Concerns
If a student has questions or concerns regarding prerequisite courses, he/she should see the appropriate department chair or division dean. A course waiver form may be appropriate.
Residency Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours in residence at OTC in order to earn an Associate’s degree, and a minimum of 9 credit hours in residence at OTC to earn a certificate (please note: Credits granted through Credit by Exam with a grade of Satisfactory (S) or Prior Learning Credit with a grade of Passing (P) do not count toward the residency requirement). CLEP, AP and IB credit is considered transfer credit and does not apply toward the residency requirement.
Passing (P) Grades
A student may not apply more than 50% of the required credit for any certificate or degree through the use of Passing (P) grades earned through credit by exam, prior experience credit, AP, CLEP or IB credit.
Satisfactory (S) Grades
A student may not apply more than 24 credit hours of Satisfactory (S) grades earned through credit by exam, prior experience credit, AP, CLEP or IB credit.
Programs of Study with Options
An academic program of study may be divided into options or emphasis areas that consist of a core area of study plus selected topical course related to the specific option. Upon completion, the diploma will list the main program of study and not the option. For example, a student pursuing a program of study in Culinary Arts with an option in Baking and Pastry will have Culinary Arts listed on the diploma. Both the program of study and the option will be listed on the official transcript.
Catalog of Graduation
Students shall satisfy the General Education, specific degree requirements and scholastic honors requirements in effect upon first enrollment as a degree-seeking student at OTC.
If a student re-enrolls at OTC after an absence of more than one calendar year, requirements in affect at the time of re-admission as a degree-seeking student must be satisfied. If a student changes their program of study, the student will be placed in the catalog year in effect on the date of the program change. Students within 6 credit hours of completing all requirements for the certificate or within 12 hours of completing all the requirements for the Associate’s degree in the same catalog year as the program they were in previously may be placed in that catalog year if it’s determined to be in the student’s best interest.
Certificates of Achievement
Students will receive a Certificate of Achievement under the following circumstances:
- The student is actively pursuing a Certificate of Achievement as their chosen program of study and completes all the requirements for that certificate.
- The student is pursuing an Associate’s degree and completes all the requirements for the related certificate prior to completing the Associate’s Degree.In this instance, the certificate will automatically be awarded to the student.
Certificates of Achievement will not be awarded under the following circumstances:
- If the student completes all requirements for both the certificate and related Associate’s degree at the end of the same term, only the higher degree will be awarded.
- Students who have completed an Associate’s degree cannot return and complete the related Certificate.
Certificates of Specialization
Students who complete the requirements for Certificate of Specialization at the same time they complete the requirements for either a Certificate of Achievement or Associate’s degree will be granted the Certificate of Specialization.
Multiple programs of study and degrees
Multiple use of courses
Courses may be counted toward meeting the requirements in more than one area (specific content requirements, general education requirements) unless specifically prohibited by the academic departments and/or degree requirements and so stated in the catalog.
Diplomas and Transcripts
A diploma will be awarded for each certificate and degree (AA, AS, etc.) awarded. Additional diplomas will not be awarded for an additional program of study completed within an already completed degree. Each certificate, degree and program of study completed will be printed on the official transcript.
Students who complete the requirements for two or more programs of study under the same degree in the same semester will be awarded one diploma listing all completed programs of study. Students who complete the requirements for two or more different degrees in the same semester will be awarded a diploma for each degree.
Multiple degrees
Students may pursue more than one program of study within a degree, but will earn only one degree. Students may pursue more than one different degree (A.A., A.A.S., A.S.) with the exception of general studies degrees. Please see the Multiple Degrees policy for additional information.
General Studies (AA.GEN and A.I.S) degrees
Students may be awarded a general studies degree as their initial degree program. Students who have completed or are in progress towards any other degree at OTC may not use the same coursework to also meet the requirements for the AA.GEN or A.I.S degree. Students who complete a general studies degree may return to OTC and earn a different degree (A.A., A.A.S., A.S.).
A.A., A.S.
Associate of Arts Degree (A.A.)
The Associate of Arts degree is designed to allow a student who plans to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete the general education requirements. Of the 62 credit hours required, a student must complete a designated core of general education courses and subject distributions; the remaining hours will consist of electives that are numbered 100 or higher. In order for an Associate of Arts degree to be awarded, 15 hours of coursework must be completed in residence and you must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better.
Associate of Science Degree (A.S.)
The Associate of Science degree is a specialized degree for the students who intend to transfer to a college or university in a program that has an emphasis in science and/or math. The programs to which this degree applies have established articulation agreements with specific four-year colleges or universities. Each A.S. degree is designed to meet the lower-division general education requirements and program-specific prerequisite requirements of the receiving institution. In order for an Associate of Science degree to be awarded, 15 hours of coursework must be completed in residence and you must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better.
A.A.S.
Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
The Associate of Applied Science degree is oriented toward career and professional preparation. Each program is designed to provide a student with the skills and knowledge to enter the workforce after completing at least 62 credit hours of coursework. Requirements of A.A.S. degree programs may vary; however, a minimum of 25 percent of the required credit hours must consist of college-level transferable general education credits. The remaining required credit hours are specific to the program. In order for an Associate of Applied Science degree to be awarded, 15 hours of coursework must be completed in residence and you must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better.
A.I.S.
Associate of Interdepartmental Studies (A.I.S.)
The Associate of Interdepartmental Studies degree is designed to provide a foundation of knowledge for students and to allow students to create a course of study that complements their career goals. Although designed as a non-transferrable degree, individual courses required for this degree may transfer, but may not necessarily fulfill the general education requirements at a four-year institution. In order for an Associate of Interdepartmental Studies degree to be awarded, 15 hours of coursework must be completed in residence and you must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better.
A.I.T.S
Associate of Individualized Technical Studies (A.I.T.S)
The Associate of Individualized Technical Study (AITS) degree is open to any student whose educational goals cannot be accomplished through enrollment in one of OTC’s existing degree programs. The student may design a degree which combines two or more discipline areas into a unique education plan. Faculty members within the disciplines will assist the student in planning the most appropriate course of study for the individual. In order for an Associate of Individualized Technical Studies degree to be awarded, 15 hours of coursework must be completed in residence and you must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better.
Note: This program requires an approved AITS application. Please contact the Office of the Provost at academics@otc.edu to complete the process. When applying for admission, select the Associate of Arts (AA) degree. Upon your AITS application being approved, you will be moved into this program of study.
Students should consult with their faculty advisor and the institution to which they intend to transfer to ensure transferability of courses.
Certificate of Achievement
The Certificate of Achievement is awarded to a student completing one of the allied health or technical career programs with fewer than 62 credit hours. Each career certificate is earned after completing a prescribed set of courses. Normally, two full semesters or their equivalent are required to complete the requirements for a one-year certificate. In order for a Certificate of Achievement to be awarded, you must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 (C) or better.
Certificate of Specialization
The Certificate of Specialization is awarded to a student completing designated requirements within a program. These requirements will provide the student the knowledge and skills to further develop strengths in predefined areas of concentration many times related to their current or anticipated future employment. Certificates of Specialization are short-term programs of study. The credit hours earned in most programs may be applied toward a Certificate of Achievement and/or an Associate of Applied Science degree in the related field of study.
Note: The degree requirements and course listings in this catalog are subject to change within an academic year. Refer to otc.edu for the most recent listings.
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