Page 81 - 166-15 Academic Catalog 2015-16

YAVAPAI COLLEGE CATALOG • 2015/16
ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAMS
The Associate of Applied Science degree ranges from 60-78 credit hours. This degree prepares students for entry- level employment in a specific occupational area or enhances the skills of students who are already vocationally or personally committed to a particular technical orientation. For a list of Associate of Applied Science degree programs and their requirements visit www.yc.edu/ degrees-and- certificates.
Associate of Applied Science Degree
The Associate of Applied Science degree ranges from 60-78 credit hours. This degree prepares students for entry-level employment in a specific occupational area or enhances the skills of students who are already vocationally or personally committed to a particular technical orienta- tion. Pursuit of the associate degree implies a desire to broaden the educational and cultural awareness of the student beyond technological concerns. Students must meet specific program admission and prerequisite requirements as indicated in the individual degree program.
Forty-one to 59 hours are concentrated in vocational and related disciplines. The vocational- technical component emphasizes an applications approach through laboratory, clinical, and work experiences. An array of course selection opportunities in selected technical and career fields is offered which is responsive not only to personal interest but also to the employment needs of business, industry, public agencies, the military, and entrepreneurship. Related studies pursue the dual goals of enhancing general human development and providing a firm basis for the pursuit of more advanced occupational goals by exposing the student to a variety of technically allied courses.
Nineteen credit hours of coursework provide fundamental knowledge and skills in general educa- tion. General education has become an integral component of occupational education. General education is increasingly important in an informational society which is being integrated with a more interdisciplinary world. General education values emphasize the abilities to think critically, reason, compute, communicate, and make connections between work, technology, and our common cultural heritage. These skills and knowledge are essential for workers, professionals, and managers to remain productive, competitive, and able to cope with the knowledge explosion and rapid innovations in technology. General education also includes human development in civic, consumer, environmental, and social responsibilities. Nineteen credit hours of general education coursework in these degree programs, with the exception of Applied Pre-Engineering, Aviation Technology, Nursing and Radiologic Technology, will be considered complete for students who have already earned a baccalaureate degree at a regionally accredited institution. Those students will have their completed general education coursework evaluated on an individual basis.
Although the Associate of Applied Science degree programs are designed primarily to prepare students for employment and are not intended for transfer, they should no longer be considered terminal degrees for many students. Since students can expect to make several career changes during their lifetimes, they should be aware of articulation agreements and potential transfer- ability of courses, especially in the general education core. Some Bachelor of Applied Science degree programs are available through Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona.
www.yc.edu
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