Technical Studies, ATS

Associate of Technical Studies (230000ATS)

Contact Information

Director of Educational Outreach
Kelly Herold
Polsky 215
330-972-8832
kherold@uakron.edu

Program Information

The A.T.S. degree is designed to create an individualized, technical associate program using planned or previously earned technical coursework. There are two types of A.T.S. degrees, Type A and Type B. 

The Type A ATS degree is a coherent combination of technical courses selectively drawn from two or more programs currently offered by the University of Akron to serve a career objective which would not be adequately addressed by one of those existing programs. Students are building their program primarily from University of Akron courses and generally have not earned credit as specified in the Ohio Career-Technical Credit Transfer (CT)2.  Students may plan a course of study by working with the ATS degree coordinator to create a planned course of study consisting of 30 technical credits by selecting available technical courses from at least two areas. When combined, these courses must be aligned to meet a clearly identifiable career objective. Additionally, the career objective must be distinct from any other technical programs offered at the University of Akron. Transfer courses received may also be applicable to the career objective. Use of transfer credit would depend on appropriateness to the career objective. General education courses fulfill the remaining credits and meet the associate degree requirements.

The Type B ATS degree enables students to combine certifications (state, national, vendor), earned through an educational entity or a place of employment, along with general education courses to meet the associate degree requirements.

For information about the one-year Associate of Technical Studies degree, contact Kelly Herold, Director of Educational Outreach.

The following information has official approval of the The Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (DPR) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.

Transfer students should consult their Advisor to identify courses that are equivalent. 

Requirements

Summary

General Education Requirement21
Additional Requirements39
Total Hours60

General Education Requirement

Writing Requirement6
Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic Requirement 13
Speaking Requirement3
Natural Science Requirement 3
Social Science Requirement6
Total Hours21

Additional Requirements

Block Credits 38-30
General Electives 231-9
Total Hours39
1

The mathematics requirement varies by department. Please consult an adviser for specific requirements. (Students enrolling in a higher-level mathematics course may use it to meet their General Education requirement.) See General Education requirements for listing of courses.

2

In the technical studies program, a student is encouraged to complete general education requirements as electives.

3

Students must follow one of the plans below for the block credits.

Type A: A coherent combination of technical courses totaling a minimum of 30 semester credit hours from two or more programs currently offered by the University of Akron to serve a career objective which would not be adequately addressed by one of those existing programs, OR

Type B: Up to 30 credits of block credit from licensure in a technical field including but not limited to: Automotive/Collision Repair, Cosmetology, Dental Assisting, HVAC, Insurance, Massotherapy, Real Estate, US Military Service, Welding.

Students interested in this degree must consult with degree coordinator prior to admission to this program. Block Credits and Elective Credits are subject to approval.

Recommended Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
1st Year
Fall SemesterHours
ENGL:111
or ENGL:110
 English Composition I
or English Composition I + Workshop
 3-4
Math Requirement 1 3
Social Science Requirement 6
Natural Science Requirement without Lab 3
 Hours15-16
Spring Semester
ENGL:112
or ENGL:222
 English Composition II
or Technical Report Writing
 3
COMM:105 Introduction to Public Speaking 3
Electives 2,3 9
 Hours15
2nd Year
Fall Semester
Electives 2.3 15
 Hours15
Spring Semester
Electives 2,3 15
 Hours15
 Total Hours60-61
1

The mathematics requirement varies by department. Please consult an adviser for specific requirements (students enrolling in a higher-level mathematics course may use it to meet their General Education requirement). See General Education requirements for listing of courses.

2

In the technical studies program, a student is encouraged to complete general education requirements as electives.

3

Students must follow one of the plans below for the block credits.

Type A: A coherent combination of technical courses totaling a minimum of 30 semester credit hours from two or more programs currently offered by the University of Akron to serve a career objective which would not be adequately addressed by one of those existing programs, OR

Type B: Up to 30 credits of block credit from licensure in a technical field including but not limited to: Automotive/Collision Repair, Cosmetology, Dental Assisting, HVAC, Insurance, Massotherapy, Real Estate, US Military Service, Welding.

Total University of Akron Credits = 30 minimum
Block Credits = minimum of 8 up to 303
Electives = minimum of 9 up to 31 credits
Total Credits for Degree = 60 minimum

Policy Alert: By the end of your first 48 credit hours attempted, you must have completed your required General Education English, Mathematics, and Communications (Speech) requirements.