Individualized Technical Studies
Program Number:
108251
Associate Degree in Applied Science
Program Courses offered at the following Campuses:
About
This associate degree program permits a qualified individual to plan a unique program of study to meet his/her own career goals. An occupational advisor from business/industry and a Madison College advisor provide direction to identify the knowledge and skills required for success in achieving those goals. Existing Madison College courses become components of the program. Courses include general education, mathematics and science, electives and specific technical core courses that may be selected from two or more traditional program areas.
The standard 60-70 planned credit hours of study are required to earn the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Technical Studies. Admission to the program must be approved prior to the completion of the first 32 credit hours.
Admissions
Requirements for Program Application
The following is required to process your application:
- High School transcript - or
- HSED/GED Test Scores - and
- All College Transcripts - and
- COMPASS, ASSET, ACT OR SAT Test Scores. Bachelors Degree waives testing.
Requirements for Program Eligibility for the Current Academic Year
The following are required to be eligible for the program:
Required coursework includes: general education, 15 credits; mathematics or science, 3 credits; technical studies core, 40-48 credits; and electives, 6 credits, for a total of 64-72 credits.
Student Admissions Process
This program involves a unique admissions process as well. An occupational advisor from business/industry must be involved and also be willing to serve as a program advisory committee member. With the help of an occupational and Madison College advisor, the student must develop a portfolio that identifies the individual’s career goals and desired program outcomes. These outcomes serve as the basis for the development of the individualized program plan. The proposed program of study is then reviewed and must be approved by an ad hoc Individualized Technical Studies Degree Committee. These committees will be composed of deans and faculty from related areas as well as the assigned academic advisor for this program.
Admission Processing Deadlines:
Spring 2012
Madison College begins collecting applications for the following year's spring semester on January 16, 2011. For this program, applications and credentials must be received by December 15, 2011 to be considered for the spring semester.
Fall 2012
Madison College begins collecting applications for the following year's fall semester on September 1, 2011. For this program, applications and credentials must be received by July 1, 2012 to be considered for the fall semester.
Additional Info
ITS Program Planner (PDF, 1.63 MB)
Program Intent/Rationale
This program is intended for currently employed individuals who have specific career objectives which cannot be met by Madison College’s existing degree programs. Since many adult students already have occupational skills and work experience, they are looking for additional specific skills to operate their own business or prepare for career advancement. They value a portable credential that attests to their level of achievement. No single existing program may meet their unique needs.
With the growth of employment opportunities in small to mid-sized companies, employers are increasingly seeking workers able to perform multiple tasks that can cut across traditional occupational designations. New kinds of technologies and work processes require employees to have flexible sets of skills drawn from a variety of traditional disciplines and programs. Employers may be interested in designing and sponsoring a customized program (unique combination of existing courses) to meet their company’s specific needs.
Program Objectives
The objectives of the Individualized Technical Studies Program are to provide flexibility to meet the educational needs of individuals with unique career goals and specific occupational outcomes, to serve the individual whose career goals cannot be achieved through enrollment in any single program currently available at Madison College, and to provide employers with a flexible program of study to meet the educational needs of their employees.
Technical Studies Core A minimum of 40 credits of occupational-specific courses is required with a minimum of 20 of those credit hours focused in one instructional area. Courses must be selected to achieve the specific career outcomes identified by the student. There must be sufficient concentration of coursework in one or two areas to ensure technical competence and employability.
Clarification of Purpose
The Individualized Technical Studies Program is NOT intended to become a catch-all for students with little or no career focus, nor to prepare students for occupations that have little or no job market demand. It is also NOT simply an accumulation of credit hours which leads to a degree. It is a pre-planned program of study. Finally, this degree program option is NOT designed to give students the opportunity to make minor course changes to current existing programs.
Examples of Individualized Programs
It might be helpful to consider just a few of the possible examples of new individualized programs of study that a student or employer might request. A degree in “Police Management” may be needed in support of occupations in the law enforcement field—a program which could be designed with current courses from our police science and supervisory management programs. Perhaps area advertising agencies need to fill positions that call for skills and abilities in marketing and desktop publishing. For this purpose, a degree program in “Marketing Design and Production” may be in demand by a few individuals or agencies—a demand Madison College could fill by repackaging current program courses.
Last Modified: December 2, 2011