Academic Award Levels
Associate Degrees Programs:
Columbus Technical College offers three types of associate degree programs:
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is offered for technical program students who intend to enter the workforce upon graduation. Each Associate of Applied Science degree program shall require completion of a minimum basic core of 15 semester credit hours of collegiate-level general education. Components of the general education core must include at least one course from each of the following four areas: I. Language Arts/Communications; II. Social/Behavioral Sciences; III. Natural Sciences/Mathematics; IV. Humanities/Fine Arts.
The Associate of Science (AS) degree is offered for students who intend to enter the workforce and/or immediately continue their education at the baccalaureate level. Associate of Science program shall require completion of a minimum basic core of 30 semester credit hours of collegiate-level general education. Components of the general education core must include at least one course from each of the following four areas: I. Language Arts/Communications; II. Social/Behavioral Sciences; III. Natural Sciences/Mathematics; IV. Humanities/Fine Arts.
The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) meets the criteria established by the State Board of Nursing for two year nursing programs including appropriate courses in liberal arts and sciences, nursing foundation as well as clinical opportunities. Shall require completion of a minimum basic core of 15 semester credit hours of collegiate-level general education. Components of the general education core must include at least one course from each of the following four areas: I. Language Arts/Communications; II. Social/Behavioral Sciences; III. Natural Sciences/Mathematics; IV. Humanities/Fine Arts.
Diploma Programs:
Columbus Technical College offers Diploma programs. Diploma programs to be organized in general education and occupational courses. Only general education courses numbered 1000 or above shall be credited toward diploma requirements – these general education courses are non-transferable to degree programs. Some diploma programs are terminal and lead to employment; other diploma programs provide for embedded occupational courses that lead to employment or Associate of Applied Science degrees.
Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC) programs:
Columbus Technical College offers TCC programs. Technical Certificate of Credit programs shall be organized as a coherent courses that correspond to identifiable exit points which match positions in a field of work, and the credential issued as a TCC will describe this area of specialization by a name which is clearly descriptive of the area of specialization. The TCC may be used to provide programs in areas of specialization that do not require study of sufficient length to award a diploma or degree or to add on areas of specialization after the completion of a diploma or degree. TCCs may require any combination of general education and occupational courses, specific occupational courses, or approved elective courses. Most TCC programs are terminal and lead to employment; some TCC programs provide for embedded occupational courses that lead to employment or Diplomas, and Associate of Applied Science degrees.