Wallace State Introduces Associate in Applied Science Degree in General Technology

CONTACT: Gail Crutchfield, Communications and Marketing, Wallace State Community College, (256) 352-8064, gail.crutchfield@wallacestate.edu
 
HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Students enrolled in technical programs at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville that have traditionally been certificate-only now have the opportunity to also earn an associate in applied science degree in General Technology.
Wallace State has been granted approval to offer associate degrees in Agriculture/Horticulture, Automotive Service Technology, Collision Repair, Diesel Mechanics, HVAC/R, and Welding, providing pathways to lead WSCC students to possibly better career opportunities and options for higher education.
The Associate in Applied Science-General Technical (GTA) degree program will be offered for the first time this fall and gives students in the six technical programs the option of taking additional courses to earn an associate degree after earning a certificate in their program.
“This will give them added credentials,” said WSCC Executive Vice President Tomesa Smith of technical students choosing to earn an associate degree. A degree can help the student move higher within their company, possibly into management positions, Smith said. The student can also use the associate degree as a stepping stone toward a bachelor’s degree.
Demand for qualified workers in the six programs under the GTA umbrella is expected to increase from 6 to 34 percent and with starting salaries in the $25,000 range up to more than $40,000 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A qualified employee with a degree, however, can be more employable and may be able to enter the workforce at a pay rate higher than the average starting salary. Many of Wallace State’s technical programs boast near perfect job placement rates.
Describing the program as a layered approach, Smith said it is suggested students finish their hands-on courses to earn their technical certificate before taking the additional courses to earn the associate degree. “But if they want to work some of those academic courses in, that’s fine,” she said.
The courses required for the GTA degree account for 25 additional credit hours, adding to the minimum 47 credit hours needed for the certificate for a total of at least 72 credit hours to earn the associate in applied science degree.
Before offering the GTA degree program, students seeking a certificate in welding, for example, did not have an associated in applied science option to pursue. They had, and still have, the option of an academic associate in science degree but it did not include any of their technical coursework. Now the GTA program offers a degree tailored to fit with the six technical programs under its umbrella along with an academic component.
The 25 additional academic credit hours required for the GTA degree include 3 to 6 credit hours of English, 3 to 6 credit hours of humanities and fine arts, 10 credit hours of natural science and math and 6 credit hours of history, social or behavior science electives.
Students entering the technical programs offering associate degrees are required to have a high school diploma or equivalent.
For more information, visit www.wallacestate.edu and click on the Technical Division link under the Programs tab to navigate to the particular program of interest. For specific programs, call Anthony Hilliard, Agriculture/Horticulture, (256) 352-8035; Steve Burgett, Automotive Service Technology, (256) 352-8151; Tim Grace, Collision Repair, (256) 352-8152; Jeremy Smith, Diesel Mechanics, (256) 352-8063; Brian Hall, HVAC/R, (256) 352-8140; and Jim Thompson, Welding, (256) 352-8272.
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Kristen Holmes
Director, Communications & Marketing
Wallace State Community College
P.O. Box 2000, Hanceville, AL 35077
1-866-350-9722 256-352-8118 direct
256-352-8314 fax 256-339-2519 cell
Visit us online at www.wallacestate.edu