TECHNICAL STUDIES - 410
Associate of Technical Study Degree 
Total Credits: 90 - 110

The Associate of Technical Study (ATS) program offers the student the opportunity to design, with faculty guidance, an individualized course of study to suit specific career-related goals. Course work for ATS degrees may include portions of existing Southern State programs, skills already learned, life experience and applicable credits earned at other schools. Requirements for an individual student’s program usually fit into traditional program offerings.

While meeting each student’s personal career objectives, the ATS program satisfies the employer as well. The program is particularly appropriate for individuals who are employed and have been targeted for positions with additional responsibility. It also provides an option for both employer and employee when existing job positions have requirements which are not adequately matched with current college curricula. The 
individualized philosophy of the program draws courses from two or more technical areas and attempts to fulfill local employment needs one student at a time. Furthermore, this multidisciplinary approach will prepare graduates for future transitions which may occur in the workplace.

Admissions Procedures
Individuals interested in pursuing the Associate of Technical Study degree will begin the application procedure by first being directed to a faculty advisor. 

Secondly, the student will complete and submit the Southern State Community College Application for Admission and the Associate of Technical Study Application. On the ATS Application form, the student will be asked to justify acceptance into the program and to demonstrate sound rationale for why the ATS degree is more appropriate.

Next, the student will be assigned a faculty advisor and an ATS planning committee will be established. The faculty advisor, along with the planning committee, will oversee the selection of courses and assure that standards will be maintained.

Each student’s progress will be monitored, and any deviation from the established program must be approved by the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Graduation Requirements
1)  Graduates of the ATS program will adhere to the same requirements as any technical program at Southern State with regard to communications, mathematics, social science/humanities and natural sciences. 
2)  Credit hour requirements will be established individually within limits of 90 to 110.
3)  A grade point average of 2.00 or above is required for graduation.
4)  At least 30 credit hours of classroom instruction of each student’s course work must be completed at Southern State.
5)  Particular courses may be required by the planning committee, based upon the student’s background and career objectives.

Associate of Technical Study: Type A Program
This program enables the student to receive college credit for qualified industry training and to choose courses from two or more existing Southern State associate degree programs and thereby design a personalized curriculum. All ATS Type A program curriculums must be approved by the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Associate of Technical Study: Type B Program
This program helps the college to develop associate degree programs in partnership with professional organizations and business/industrial firms with staff development programs by equating their training activity to a block of college credit.

A college review committee will examine the training program offered by an organization in order to determine if it qualifies for inclusion.

When implemented, each program accommodates students transferring from an educational program which lies outside the traditional collegial domain. The degree gives recognition to the training of the professionals while enabling them to experience the broadening, liberalizing, and enriching components of a college education. For more information concerning the ATS Type B program, contact your faculty advisor.

Currently, cooperative arrangements can be incorporated for ATS Type B degrees in the following:

Industrial Training
Southern State has worked with numerous industries to develop a program for skill areas used in industry from existing curriculum, in whole or in part. These completed programs can provide a significant amount of credit toward an associate degree.

The basic ingredients of these programs and their basic framework can be adapted to other trade or skill areas to meet other companies’ 
needs.

Last Updated: June, 2007

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