Program Description

The AAS in Technical Studies - Industrial/Technical Option degree program is a flex degree designed to provide students the opportunity to apply their work experience to earning an associate degree in applied science. Students looking to achieve a career change into a technical industry can earn credit for their work experience while they prepare for career advancement. Up to 17 credits may be awarded for work experience, including military experience, trade/proprietary school preparation, apprenticeship programs, and on-the-job-training.   This program also provides students with the  following stackable credential opportunities, that can be earned along the way to completing this degree:  Certificate of Completion - Industrial Hygiene/Hazardous Materials Management, Certificate of Completion - Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics, Certificate of Completion - Environmental Sustainability, and Certificate of Completion - Technology Leadership. 

Transfer Information

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees are intended to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce. The NJ Statewide Transfer Agreement does not guarantee the transfer of credit/coursework when a student earns an AAS degree and continues on to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor's degree. 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 Applied Science Degrees are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to start employment upon graduation. Several of the A.A.S. degrees provide the opportunity for the student to gain work experience by offering internship credit. These degrees are usually technical in nature and prepare the student for certification and licensing exams necessary to work in their field of choice. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with OCC faculty and Career Services as they begin to explore career options. OCC students can also utilize Focus2 Career, a resource provided by OCC, to explore degree programs and corresponding careers. To get started, log in through Ocean Connect.

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.

Plan of Study Grid

First Semester		Credit Hours
ENGL 151	English I	3
Technology Gen. Ed. Requirement (excludes INFO 110)		3
MATH 156 or Higher (excludes MATH 157, MATH 171, and MATH 181)		3
Industrial/Technical Studies Program Electives		6
	Credit Hours	15
Second Semester
ENGL 152	English II	3
Humanities Gen. Ed. Requirement		3
Social Science Gen. Ed. Requirement		3
Industrial/Technical Studies Program Electives		6
	Credit Hours	15
Third Semester
Humanities or Social Science Gen. Ed. Requirement		3
Lab Science Gen. Ed. Requirement		4
Industrial/Technical Studies Program Electives		6
	Credit Hours	13
Fourth Semester
Select from the following:		17
Professional Core Transfer Credits Awarded for Work Experience
and/or
Industrial/Technical Studies Program Electives
	Credit Hours	17
	Total Credit Hours	60

Industrial/Technical Studies Program Electives

Students may select courses from the following list or equivalent courses per appropriate approval.

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Any ENGR Engineering course(s)
Any ENGT Engineering Technology course(s)
Any MECH Mechatronics course(s)
Any ENVI Environmental Science course(s)
Any CHEM Chemistry course(s)		4
BUSN 273	Corporate Social Responsibility	3
CSIT 110	Introduction to Computers and Computer Applications	3
CSIT 123	Integrated Office Software	3
CSIT 160	Introduction to Visual BASIC	3
ECON 151	Macroeconomic Principles	3
ECON 152	Microeconomics Principles	3
PHYS 172	Physics II	4
PHYS 171	Physics I	4
SOCI 232	Social Justice	3