X    Compliance         Partial Compliance         Non-Compliance

Narrative: Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OCtech) offers a curriculum that is directly related to its purpose and goals and to the certificates, diplomas, and degrees awarded. According to its Mission Statement as stated on page 9 of the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Catalog, 2004, the institution provides “…quality and affordable comprehensive education programs that will have a positive economic and social impact on the lives of the citizens of Orangeburg and Calhoun counties and the state of South Carolina.” The Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Catalog demonstrates that the curriculum directly relates to that stated purpose. In addition, Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Strategic Plan: Goal One is to “Fulfill the community’s need for a competent workforce and economic growth by providing innovative and diverse learning experiences in a collaborative learning environment.” The stated purposes of OCtech are listed on pages 8-9 of the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Catalog, 2004. The specific purpose relative to curriculum is “meeting the communities need for a literate and technically competent workforce.” This stated purpose is accomplished by:

• Providing associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates in the Arts and Sciences, Business, Computer Technology, Health Sciences, Nursing, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies.
• Providing students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes in areas of oral and written communication, problem-solving, use of cutting edge technology, and development of interpersonal skills through quality classroom delivery systems, innovative teaching methodologies, and multiple assessment measures for workplace competencies or transfer to other institutions of higher learning.

OCtech is authorized to offer certificate, diploma, and degree programs by the Orangeburg-Calhoun Area Technical Education Commission, the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education (SBTCE), and the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE) in accordance with state statutes. The College offers sixty-seven academic programs:

All aspects of the educational program at the College are clearly related to its mission and purpose. This relationship is reinforced by the program approval process. The Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical Education Commission, the SBTCE, and the South Carolina CHE are all part of a program approval process that requires assessment of consonance of each degree program with the mission and purpose of the College.

Program completion requirements are identified for each degree program in the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Catalog. Information regarding the total number of credit hours to be earned for graduation, specific general education credits necessary, and other requirements the student must meet to earn the degree is located on pages 105-183 of the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Catalog, 2004. Although requirements vary by program, a minimum of 25% of the total hours for all associate degrees must be earned through coursework taken at the College.

Individual academic programs specify requirements for each program of study. Requirements for prerequisite coursework are contained in the course description section of the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Catalog, 2004 on pages185-222.

OCtech has established policies governing all aspects of completion requirements. These requirements are listed in the official catalog, posted on the OCtech public website, and also located in the OCtech Policies and Procedures Manual and other publications. These policies and procedures include the following items:

Evidence of Support: