Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Academic Catalog V 71.1 
    
2018-2019 Academic Catalog V 71.1 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Degrees and Instructional Programs


Degrees and Certificates

In fulfilling its commitment to provide a high quality educational program to the citizens of the Ector County area, Odessa College is authorized by the state of Texas to provide instruction leading to a variety of degrees and certificates. The college also offers courses in some subject areas – accounting, anthropology, earth science, economics, engineering, geography, philosophy, etc. – as an enhancement to the general education requirements for other disciplines.

Residency Requirements

To receive a degree or certificate from Odessa College, students must complete a minimum of 25% of the semester credit hours required for the degree or certificate, excluding developmental or awarded credits, at Odessa College. Awarded credits include CLEP, AP, and other advanced standing credits that did not require course attendance for the full term.

Bachelor of Arts in Applied Science

During the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) 123rd Annual Meeting, Odessa College received authorization to offer the bachelor of arts in applied science (BAAS) degree in automation and the BAAS degree in leadership and management. SACSCOC is the recognized regional accrediting body in the eleven U.S. Southern states for institutions of higher education that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s or doctoral degrees. This approval allowed the planning and scheduling of the course work and classes for the two new baccalaureate degrees.

The start date for classes specifically dedicated to the BAAS in Leadership (Entrepreneurship and Occupational Safety & Environmental Technology) is Spring 2019. The projected start date for classes specifically dedicated to the BAAS in Automation is Fall 2019.

Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Applied Science  

Odessa College offers bachelor’s degrees in the following areas:

Associate in Applied Science

The associate in applied science degree is awarded to students who complete the prescribed degree plan in a designated technical studies area. Known as the A.A.S., this degree is designed to provide students with comprehensive skills and knowledge in a specialized field, with the goal of employment in that field. While the degree is usually job oriented, all A.A.S. degrees will have at least some, if not most, courses transfer to senior institutions through the general education requirements in the degree and/or inverted baccalaureate degree plans. The student should check the requirements of the senior institution before planning a course of study. See your Student Success Coach for more information.

Requirements for Associate in Applied Science Degree  

OC awards the A.A.S. degree in the following areas:

Associate in Arts

The associate in arts degree is awarded to students who complete curriculum requirements of the first two years of study of a standard baccalaureate program, primarily in the liberal arts, fine arts or business fields. Known as the A.A., the degree is not designed to provide students with specific career, technical, and workforce skills.

Requirements for Associate in Arts Degree 

The associate in arts is available in the following areas:

Associate in Arts in General Studies

The associate in arts in general studies degree, known as the A.A.G.S., is designed to allow the student to select from a wide range of courses that fulfill the requirement of a generalized education.

Students should check the requirements of the senior institution before planning a course of study. See your Student Success Coach for more information.

Requirements for Associate in Arts in General Studies Degree  

Associate in Science

The associate in science degree is awarded to students who complete curriculum requirements of the first two years of study of a standard baccalaureate program, primarily in the fields of mathematics or science. Known as the A.S., the degree is not designed to provide students with specific job skills.

Requirements for Associate in Science Degree  

The associate in science is available in the following areas:

Associate of Arts in Teaching

The associate of arts in teaching (AAT) degree is a Coordinating Board-approved degree consisting of lower-division courses intended for transfer to baccalaureate programs leading to initial Texas teacher certification. There are seven AAT curricula which require at least 60 semester credit (SCH) hours of coursework.

Requirements for Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree  

Certificate of Completion

The certificate of completion is given by Odessa College after completion of a designated course of study that concentrates on specific job skills, licensure requirements or subject matter mastery.

Requirements for Certificates of Completion  

OC awards a certificate of completion in the following career technical and workforce education fields (refer to individual departmental sections for specific course and semester hour requirements):

Certificate of Technology

In the technology fields, it is not uncommon for a student to want to learn the skills necessary for employment without earning the A.A.S.

Requirements for Certificates of Technology  

To indicate both completion and technical competency, OC awards a certificate of technology in the following fields (refer to individual departmental sections for specific course and semester hour requirements):