2019-2020 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
    Mar 19, 2024  
2019-2020 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Degree & Certificate Overviews



A.A., A.S.

General Degree Requirements

The general requirements for an associate degree from OTC are as follows:

  • At least 62 semester hours of college credit; fifteen (15) hours of coursework must be completed in residence, (please note: Credit by Exam (S) and Passing (P) grades do not count toward teh residency requirement).
  • The completion of minimum requirements specified for each program.
  • A cumulative grade point average of 2.00 (C) or better.
  • Approval of the candidate for a degree by faculty and administration.

The following policies should be noted:

  1. Students must take 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.
  2. A student who meets the standards set by the college for credit by exam (S grade) or Passing (P grade) may be granted credit up to a maximum of one half (50%) of the required credit for a degree or certificate.
  3. A student will satisfy the catalog requirements in effect when student entered or re-entered (after one semester of absence) the college.
  4. In determining the 2.00 minimum grade point average required for graduation, transfer grades will not be counted.

A candidate for a certificate or degree must:

  1. File an “Application for Graduation” the semester prior to graduation with the Office of the Registrar.
  2. For Technical Education courses, an approved technical skill assessment (TSA) should be taken by students who have completed a CTE program.
  3. Contact the Office of the Registrar for deadline dates.

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.

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, fifteen (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, fifteen (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.B.

Associate of Arts in Business (A.A.B)

The Associate of Arts Degree in Business is a directed path of study preparing students for transfer and upper division work at four-year institutions offering business and accounting programs. This degree requires students to satisfy the A.A. general education transfer block, 15 hours of business related coursework and at least 6 hours of additional credit from electives.

Each transfer institution will have specific admission requirements for their institution and business and/or accounting program. Students should contact the intended transfer institution to verify they have met all transfer requirements and the college’s choices within the general education transfer block and additional courses beyond the 15 hours of business coursework that are appropriate for their desired degree.  In order for an Associate of Arts in Business degree to be awarded, fifteen (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.T.

Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.)

This degree requires students to satisfy the A.A. general education transfer block and coursework specific to the program of teacher certification.  The additional coursework required beyond the A.A. general education transfer block is the completion of 12 hours of specific teacher education coursework and at least nine hours of additional certification coursework required for specific teacher certification programs to include Elementary, Middle, and Special Ed Teacher Certification programs. In order for an Associate of Arts in Teaching degree to be awarded, a minimum of fifteen (15) hours must be completed in residence and must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and a passing score on all state-required general education exams.

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.

For Technical Education courses, an approved technical skill assessment (TSA) should be taken by students who have completed a CTE program.

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.

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.

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.

For Technical Education courses, an approved technical skill assessment (TSA) should be taken by students who have completed a CTE program.

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.