Associate of Technical Studies
Associate Degree
Overview
The Associate of Technical Studies is a customized degree program that meets your unique career objectives. You may earn an Associate of Technical Studies by transferring credit from a technical center or by creating a custom degree plan with an advisor.
Associate of Technical Studies Pathway for Technical Center Graduates
The Associate of Technical Studies (ATS) Pathway is a state program that allows career and technical center graduates and industry professionals to earn college credit toward a technical degree. The state of Ohio has a list of currently approved pathways and the necessary credentials for transferring career center credit to a college degree plan.
For example, students who complete a cosmetology program (900+ hours) and get a cosmetology board license are eligible for 30 college credit hours and have already earned half the credit hours needed to complete an associate degree. Cosmetology students often wish to study business to help manage their booth rental expenses and potentially open their own business one day.
Customized Degree Plan
If COTC doesn’t have a degree that fits your career goals, a Gateway staff member will work with you to map out courses drawn from two or more programs currently offered at COTC to create your own custom degree plan.
Students with an entrepreneurial spirit and an interest in art, for example, may want to own a business and study areas within accounting and graphic and web design. A Gateway staff member can help students select and map out classes to create a customized ATS degree plan for completion.
Future Start Dates
Admission Requirements
This is an open enrollment program. To be admitted, you must submit a free application for admission and complete the standard steps to enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take classes online or face-to-face?
Most classes are offered face-to-face, but many general education classes are also available online.
What financial assistance is available to help me pay for college?
COTC awards more than $1 million in scholarships to students each year.
Every student is encouraged to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) to be considered for grants, scholarships and loans. Students who complete the FAFSA are automatically considered for some scholarships. Other scholarships require an application.
See scholarships for more information, or connect with the Office of Student Financial Services at 740.366.9435 or email NWK-studentfinancialservices@mail.cotc.edu.