Technical Studies Associates Degree

Graduate prepared with the technical knowledge and skills employers demand.

PennWest California's highly flexible technical studies associate degree program enables you 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, including:

Electrical engineering technology.
Computer engineering technology.
Robotics engineering technology.
Industrial technology.
Graphics and multimedia.
Technology management and more.

At PennWest California, you'll receive top preparation for the rapidly expanding technician-level employment opportunities of today's technology-based economy. Designed as a degree-completion program, our technical studies associate degree is delivered by the Department of Applied Engineering and Technology in collaboration with companies, governmental agencies, labor unions and educational institutions. You'll graduate prepared with the knowledge and skills employers need.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: TECHNICAL STUDIES

Fast degree completion : The degree completion time for this program is student-dependent. If you successfully pursue Prior Learning Assessment, you may greatly shorten your time to completion. Some students are able to complete all degree requirements in as little as one semester!

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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PennWest California has 12 on-campus technology labs, including labs for computer-assisted design and drafting (CADD); a digital/embedded systems lab; an automation/robotics lab, several graphics and multimedia labs and more!

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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.

Curriculum and Related Programs

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.

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Related Programs

Associate Degree:

Online Technical Studies Associate Degree
Robotics Engineering TechnologyAssociate Degree
Unmanned Aerial Systems / Drone Technology Concentration

Bachelor's Degree:

Computer Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree
Electrical Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree
Graphics and Multimedia Bachelor's Degree
Mechatronics Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree
Technology Management Bachelor's Degree
TechnologyEducation Bachelor's Degree

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.

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.

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