Technical Studies Degree Online Associates

Meet the ever-changing needs of business and industry with a fully online degree

PennWest California's online technical studies associate degree prepares you for rapidly expanding technician-level job opportunities in the new economy. In this highly flexible degree program offered by the Department of Applied Engineering and Technology, you'll be able to customize your courses and credits in order to build a unique skill set that focuses on two or more technical areas of your choice.

Designed as a degree-completion program, PennWest California's technical studies associate degree is delivered in collaboration with companies, governmental agencies, labor unions and educational institutions. You'll graduate prepared with the knowledge and skills employers demand.

Earn your degree on your schedule.

Degree completion time for this program is student-dependent, and if you successfully pursue Prior Learning Assessment you may greatly shorten your time to completion.
All technical studies associate degree courses are delivered asynchronously and 100% online, so you can complete your degree from anywhere and at any time - even while you're working full time or are attending job

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: ONLINE TECHNICAL STUDIES

Accreditation: Programs in applied engineering and technology are accredited by ETAC of ABET; the Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications; the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering; and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Top Professors: PennWest California's technical studies faculty members have real-world experience in their respective fields, are among the best scholars and practitioners in applied engineering and technology, and have cumulatively contributed to hundreds of scholarly books, magazines and journals.

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45

You may transfer up to 45 of the 60 credits required for the technical studies associate degree.

2⁺

Your degree will focus on two or more programs of study that are integrated around a unifying technology theme or topic.

Degree Benefits

As a technical studies major at PennWest California, you'll benefit from:

Small class sizes and personal attention.
Degree completion support services for non-traditional and returning students.
A broad educational foundation without rigid specialization requirements.
Customizable technical knowledge and high-level skills that meet workforce needs.
Careersupport and connections with top employers.

Graduate Outcomes

PennWest California's associate degree in technical studies equips you with the top technical skills and knowledge you need to enjoy job security and career flexibility. Our technical studies program is designed to meet employer demands and will help you become an adaptable, multi-skilled employee. You'll graduate ready to work as a technician in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, and you'll possess skills that are tailored to the workforce needs of specific businesses, industries, government agencies, educational institutions and other related sectors.

Technical Studies Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree

Noss hall on PennWest California's campus.

Accreditation

Programs in applied engineering and technology are accredited by ETAC of ABET; the Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications; the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering; and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

The PennWest California Finish Line initiative

PennWest California's technical studies program is often pursued by individuals who participate in the Finish Line, a program that maps out the most efficient, cost-effective route to degree completion for individuals who have earned some college credits but never graduated from college. Finish Line coaches are available to provide you with a complimentary review of your previous college credits and develop your personalized plan for completing your college degree.

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Student Success department at PennWest California.

PennWest California's Prior Learning Assessment

If you have completed certificates, certifications, workforce training, apprenticeships, or have on-the-job work experience, you may employ a Prior Learning Assessment process to convert those experiences into academic credits! Our goal is to help you determine the fastest path to degree completion.

Technical Studies Associate Degree Courses

Curriculum

Course	Credits
General Education Courses	25 to 27
Building a Sense of Community UNI 100 First-Year Seminar	1
Composition ENG 101 English Composition I	3
Public Speaking Any Public Speaking Course	3
Mathematics and Quantitative Literacy MAT 181 College Algebra	3
Technological Literacy Any Technological Literacy Course	3
Natural Sciences Any Natural Sciences Course	3 or 4
General Education Options Any General Education Options (three courses)	9 or 10

Professional Technical Core	33 to 35
Certificate programs, apprenticeship equivalencies, workforce training equivalencies, minors, regular, coursework, internships, on-the-job work experience, etc.	33 to 35

Related Technical Electives (Cal U)	Variable
As an option and if needed, "Related Technical Electives" can be taken at California University of Pennsylvania as part of the professional technical core credits.	Variable

Total	60

Program Notes: Developmental courses do not count toward graduation. Students must have a minimum overall 2.0 GPA to qualify for graduation.

COURSE SEQUENCES

Applied Engineering & Technology

Associate Degrees

Bachelor's Degrees

Technical Studies Online Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree

About Technical Studies