Technical Studies

Description:

The Technical Studies program recognizes valuable training and/or work experience by giving students in technical fields the opportunity to receive college credits for their experiences and to apply that experience and knowledge to an associate's degree. It assists individuals in their preparation for career advancement or change. The student will develop an individualized program of study directly related to career or educational goals.

This select program has four components:

  1. Prior learning assessment:12-30 credits in the Technical/Occupational core from industry certifications and other demonstrated competencies
  2. 21 credits of General Education
  3. 3 credits in communication
  4. 6-24 credits taken as part of a Personal Education Plan that has either a technical or a business-related focus

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this program graduates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate competence in oral and written communication.    
  • Demonstrate an understanding of cultural diversity.
  • Demonstrate the ability to think critically in many disciplines.

Program Entry Requirements:

This is a select program. Prospective students must attend a program orientation prior to admission. All students need to take the College's placement tests at their time of entry into the College. Students who are identified as needing developmental coursework must satisfactorily complete the appropriate English and mathematics courses as part of the program. Students are accepted into the program upon assessment of their prior learning and the application of credits to the Technical Core.

Program of Study and Graduation Requirements:

A minimum of 60 credits and a grade point average of 2.0 are required for graduation with an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Technical Studies.

Course Sequence:

Semester 1

Course Number and Name Prerequisites and Corequisites Credits Gen Ed Req.
Technical/Occupational Core 
Students submit industry certifications and/or other documentation for consideration for prior learning assessment.		   12-30 credits  
ENGL 101 - English Composition I   3 credits ENGL 101
FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra (or higher)   3 credits Mathematics
CIS 103 - Applied Computer Technology   3 credits Tech Comp
Science Elective   3 or 4 credits Natural Sciences

Notes

The sequence shown below is for illustration purposes. The length of time it takes for a student to complete the Program will vary depending on many factors including how many credits he or she transfers into the Program.

Semester 2

Course Number and Name Prerequisites and Corequisites Credits Gen Ed Req.
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper ENGL 101 with a grade of “C” or better 3 credits ENGL 102, Info Lit

Communications Elective (choose one)
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking or
ENGL 116 - Interpersonal Communication or
ENGL 117 - Group and Team Communication or

ENGL 118 - Intercultural Communication

For ENGL 115 and 117: ENGL 101, which may be taken concurrently

For ENGL 116: ENGL 101 or ENGL 114

For ENGL 118: No prerequisite

 3 credits  
Humanities Elective   3 credits Humanities
Social Science Elective   3 credits Social Sciences

Semester 3

Course Number and Name Prerequisites and Corequisites Credits Gen Ed Req.

Personal Education Plan (PEP)
In order to ensure that the PEP has a unifying focus and relates to the Technical/Occupational Core, students should select individual courses within one of the two concentrations listed below.

Technology Concentration: This concentration is appropriate for students who wish to enhance their technological skills in order to advance within their chosen profession.

Applied Science and Engineering Technology (ASET) 
Architecture, Design and Construction (ADC)
Automotive Technology (AT—excluding AT 289: Internship)
Computer Information Systems (CIS)
Computer Science (CSCI)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Process Technology (PTEC)

Business Concentration: This concentration is appropriate for students who have a solid foundation in business-related fields and are looking to increase their business knowledge and skills in order to advance in their chosen field or to open their own business.

Accounting (ACCT)
Computer Information Systems (CIS)
Economics (ECON)
Entrepreneurship (ENTR)
Finance (FIN)
Management (MNGT)
Marketing (MKTG)
Real Estate (RE)

   6 to 24 credits  

Semester 4

Course Number and Name Prerequisites and Corequisites Credits Gen Ed Req.

Personal Education Plan (PEP)
In order to ensure that the PEP has a unifying focus and relates to the Technical/Occupational Core, students should select individual courses within one of the two concentrations listed below.

Technology Concentration: This concentration is appropriate for students who wish to enhance their technological skills in order to advance within their chosen profession.

Applied Science and Engineering Technology (ASET) 
Architecture, Design and Construction (ADC)
Automotive Technology (AT—excluding AT 289: Internship)
Computer Information Systems (CIS)
Computer Science (CSCI)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Process Technology (PTEC)

Business Concentration: This concentration is appropriate for students who have a solid foundation in business-related fields and are looking to increase their business knowledge and skills in order to advance in their chosen field or to open their own business.

Accounting (ACCT)
Computer Information Systems (CIS)
Economics (ECON)
Entrepreneurship (ENTR)
Finance (FIN)
Management (MNGT)
Marketing (MKTG)
Real Estate (RE)

   6 to 24 credits  

Minimum Credits Needed to Graduate:

60

General Education Requirements:

All General Education requirements are met through required courses (as indicated above) except for the Writing Intensive requirement, the Interpretive Studies requirement and the American/Global Diversity requirement. Therefore, in order to graduate, students in this program must choose one course that is designated Writing Intensive, one course that is designated Interpretive Studies and one course that is designated American Global Diversity. The same course may be used to fulfill all three requirements. View the courses that fulfill all degree requirements and receive a more detailed explanation of the College's general education requirements to help in your selection.

For More Information, Contact:

The Division of Business and Technology, Room B2-22, 1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130, Telephone (215) 751-8414; or the College Information Center (267) 299-5874.