The institution requires in each undergraduate degree program the successful completion of a general education component at the collegiate level that is (1) a substantial component of each undergraduate degree, (2) ensures breadth of knowledge, and (3) is based on a coherent rationale. For degree completion in associate programs, the component constitutes a minimum of 15 semester hours or the equivalent; for baccalaureate programs, a minimum of 30 semester hours or the equivalent. These credit hours are to be drawn from and include at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts; social/behavioral sciences; and natural science/mathematics. The courses do not narrowly focus on those skills, techniques, and procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession. The institution provides a written justification and rationale for course equivalency. ( General Education )

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Narrative: Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OCtech) provides a general education program that is drawn from a state-approved State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education Catalog of Approved Courses, as well as a sequence of state-approved program models. These courses all carry a common course identifier, title, and course description. They are recognized by state public institutions as collegiate level, with state articulation agreements ensuring any transferability among state institutions. The general education course syllabus states the minimum learning outcomes for course content. The courses that comprise the general education component broaden the focus of each associate degree to include skills, techniques, and procedures that are not particular to an occupation or profession.

Although the OCtech general education courses include skills specifically designed to meet the unique needs of technical education, the overall focus is to provide a general education background that will assure appropriate transfer of knowledge and skills for successful life-long learning across a variety of program and career choices. All eighteen associate degree programs at the College include a minimum of fifteen semester hours of general education requirements. Each program contains a minimum of three semester hours in English, three semester hours in Communication, three semester hours in Social/Behavioral Sciences, and three semester hours in Humanities/Fine Arts. Additionally, each program contains one or more courses in the Natural Science/Mathematics category. Evidence can be found in the curriculum displays of each program in the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Catalog, 2004, on pages 105-183. The general education requirements are a part of the institutional-level student competencies. Additional information concerning this requirement can be found in the Compliance Report Narrative for Comprehensive Standard 3.5.1. Students typically take the courses required in their program; however, in rare cases, students may substitute one course for another by obtaining the approval of the Program Coordinator of their program of study and the appropriate Dean. The Program Coordinator will review the equivalency of the requested course substitution, obtain the Dean’s signature, the Dean of Administration's signature, approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and then submit the completed course substitution form to the Registrar's Office.

Evidence of Support: