Program Description
The Associate in Science (A.S.) degree program allows students to successfully complete a program of study in one of several areas of public service. Program graduates may transfer to a four year institution and/or directly enter the workforce.
Transfer Information
Students pursuing the Public Service degree can transfer into a wide variety of areas within public service, including fire science, addictions, child care, human services and government. Majors include Public Administration, Fire Science, Human Services and Sociology. Many colleges offer opportunities for transfer both in and out of state. Students are encouraged to work closely with OCC faculty and Advising Transfer Services. Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution in NJ can explore the “Transfer Programs” feature on NJ Transfer www.njtransfer.org.
Career Information
The Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science Degrees are designed to provide students with the coursework needed to transfer to a four-year institution and pursue a bachelor’s degree. The curriculum provides students the knowledge and skills needed to pursue various career pathways, while providing a credential beyond the high school degree. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with OCC faculty and Career Services as they begin to explore career options. Students can also utilize Career Coach, a resource provided by OCC, to explore degree programs and corresponding careers https://ocean.emsicc.com/
Students are encouraged to keep track of degree requirements by using the “My Progress” screen on Student Planning. Student Planning can be accessed via logging into Ocean Connect.
Program Requirements
Plan of Study Grid | First Semester |
|---|
| ENGL 151 | English I | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| COMM 154 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| STSC 150 | Student Success Seminar | 2 |
| | Credit Hours | 14 |
| Second Semester |
|---|
| 3 |
| 3 |
| PSYC 172 | General Psychology | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| | Credit Hours | 15 |
| Third Semester |
|---|
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 4 |
| 1 | 3 |
| 3 |
| | Credit Hours | 16 |
| Fourth Semester |
|---|
| 3 |
| 3 |
| INTR 290 | Internship 3 () | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| | Credit Hours | 15 |
| | Total Credit Hours | 60 |
Public Service Electives
Students may choose electives from the extensive range of courses below (without being restricted to one category) based on personal interest and/or transfer needs.
Addictions Counseling
ALDC 105 and ALDC 106 must both be taken to substitute for the 6 credit ALDC 103. ALDC 107 and ALDC 108 must both be taken to substitute for the 6 credit ALDC 104.
Course List | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| ALDC 101 | Addictions Disorders and Recovery Supports | 3 |
| ALDC 102 | Addictions Counseling: Professional Responsibilities | 3 |
| ALDC 105 | Addiction Counseling Skills | 3 |
| ALDC 106 | Assessing Addictive Disorders | 3 |
| ALDC 107 | Addiction Counseling Methodology | 3 |
| ALDC 108 | Addiction Counseling Client Education | 3 |
Child Care
Course List | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| PSYC 273 | Adolescent Psychology | 3 |
Developmental Disability Assistant
Course List | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| EDUC 178 | Introduction to the Education of Exceptional Students | 3 |
| PSYC 174 | Personality Theory | 3 |
| PSYC 274 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 275 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
Fire Science
If you select FIRE 162, FIRE 165, FIRE 166, FIRE 261, FIRE 266, and FIRE 268, you will have completed all of the core FESHE, Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education, recognized Fire Science courses.
Course List | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| FIRE 162 | Principles of Emergency Services | 3 |
| FIRE 163 | Principles of Fire and Emergency Service Administration | 3 |
| FIRE 165 | Bldg Construction for Fire Protection | 3 |
| FIRE 166 | Fire Behavior and Combustion | 3 |
| FIRE 168 | Occupational Safety and Health for Emergency Services | 3 |
| FIRE 169 | Strategy and Tactics | 3 |
| FIRE 255 | Fire Inspector I | 3 |
| FIRE 256 | Fire Inspector II | 3 |
| FIRE 257 | Administration for Fire Officials | 3 |
| FIRE 261 | Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival | 3 |
| FIRE 263 | Fire Investigation I | 3 |
| FIRE 264 | Fire Investigation II | 3 |
| FIRE 266 | Fire Prevention | 3 |
| FIRE 268 | Fire Protection Systems | 3 |
Homeland Security
Course List | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| HLSC 170 | Introduction to Homeland Security | 3 |
| HLSC 171 | Fundamentals of Emergency Management | 3 |
| HLSC 172 | Domestic and International Terrorism | 3 |
| HLSC 174 | Introduction to the Intelligence Function | 3 |
| HLSC 210 | Risk Management and Analysis | 3 |
Human Services/SOCIAL WORK
Municipal Administration
Course List | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| ENGR 123 | Surveying I | 3 |
| ENGR 191 | Autocad 2-D Basics I | 3 |
| POLI 185 | Principles of Public Administration | 3 |
Public Administration/Government
Course List | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| POLI 161 | American Federal Government | 3 |
| POLI 162 | American State and Local Government | 3 |
| POLI 183 | Introduction to Political Science | 3 |
| POLI 185 | Principles of Public Administration | 3 |
| POLI 263 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| POLI 268 | Women and Politics | 3 |
