Graduation Requirements
Associate of Applied Science degrees are offered in air conditioning and refrigeration with major areas of air conditioning and refrigeration and facilities management; automation technology; automotive service technology; banking services; business technology with major areas of business technology and human resource management; cardiac sonography; computer information technology; collision repair technology; cosmetic science; law enforcement; logistic management; health information technology; human services; medical assisting; occupational therapy assistant; paramedic/emergency medical services, physical therapist assistant; practical nursing; registered nursing; and welding. An Associate of General Studies degree is offered with a major of general studies.
Technical certification is offered in air conditioning and refrigeration, air conditioning and refrigeration-facilities maintenance; automotive service technology, business technology, collision repair technology, computer information technology, cosmetology, emergency medical technician; health information technology, health professions; industrial control systems, industrial electronics technology, law enforcement, paramedic/emergency medical services, practical nursing, and welding technology.
Proficiency certification is offered in air conditioning and refrigeration, automotive service, basic emergency medical services, computer information technology, construction technology, control fundamentals, culinary arts, dispatcher telecommunications, jail standards, health sciences, law enforcement, logistics management, machinist operations, medical billing, medical coding, mobile applications, nursing assistant, office support specialist, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy, and welding.
Students may graduate under the catalog in force when they first enroll in the University (no catalog prior to 2005-2006 may be selected), or any subsequent catalog, subject to the approval of the Vice Chancellor of Student Services. Students should keep in mind that curricula change in order to maintain relevance, up-to-date knowledge, and in some cases, accreditation standards. The University reserves the right to make effective immediately any change in graduation requirements for students whose studies have not advanced beyond the level at which the change becomes operative.
Degree Audit and Application For Graduation
Candidates for graduation must complete an application for graduation in Degree Works. Students will be notified by the registrar's office by the eighth week of the fall semester for the fall ceremony and by the eighth week of the spring semester for the spring ceremony. Summer graduates will also be notified by the eighth week of the spring semester to attend the spring ceremony.
Green Transcript
Upon graduation, students may earn a "Green" designation on their transcript by completing no less than 12 hours of coursework directly supporting their ability to apply environmental awareness and responsibility to their personal and professional daily life. Such coursework may include waste and energy management, environmental health, alternative technology, environmental law and regulation, general environmental awareness, and advocacy topics. Courses supporting a Green Transcript are identified with an icon following the course title in the curricula listings of the individual programs of study.
Financial Obligation
Before any transcript is issued, the student must have paid any debt owed to the University.
Graduation Honors
Honors will be conferred upon candidates who at graduation have earned a minimum grade point average on all courses taken post-merger at Arkansas Tech as follows: Summa Cum Laude-3.900 - 4.000, Magna Cum Laude- 3.700 - 3.899, Cum Laude-3.500 - 3.699. Graduation honors will be determined by work taken at Arkansas Tech only. This policy is effective July 1, 2003 for the Ozark Campus. Previously enrolled students should contact the Office of Student Services for clarification of the policy.
Commencement Participation
Participation in commencement is expected of all candidates for degrees. Students who are unable to participate may officially petition the Vice Chancellor of Student Services in writing for permission to have the degree awarded in absentia.
Students taking courses at other institutions must have official transcripts submitted to the Office of Student Services and have completed all degree requirements prior to the commencement ceremony to be allowed to participate.
Students who do not have a minimum grade point of 2.00 in the major and overall will not be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony.
Academic regalia shall be worn by all graduates during the graduation ceremony. The academic regalia consists only of the cap and gown. Students may wear honor cords, pins, or stoles representative of university groups over their gowns during the ceremony. Decoration on caps is permitted.
Diplomas are mailed to graduates following commencement and digital diplomas are emailed to the school email.
Requirements for Associate Degrees
The requirements for the associate degrees are outlined under each program of study. Associate programs include a general education component consisting of a minimum of 15 credit hours in English, mathematics, social sciences, and computer applications. In addition to the general education component, each program will require a technical component consisting of 45-56 hours. Students completing AAS degrees will have:
- The ability to contribute and function in a collaborative environment.
- The ability to identify, analyze and solve technical problems.
- The ability to communicate effectively.
- A recognition of the need for and ability to engage in lifelong learning
- An ability to understand professional, ethical, and social responsibilities.
- A commitment to quality, timeliness, and continuous improvement.
- An ability to utilize and apply critical thinking skills.
- An ability to apply knowledge and skills required to function in a specific technical discipline.
- A commitment to apply environmental awareness and responsibility to personal and professional daily life.
Please refer to individual programs of study for specific requirements.
In addition to completing the necessary hours prescribed, candidates for associate of applied science degrees must meet the following requirements:
General Requirements
- A student must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours taken from Arkansas Tech University. Certain programs may have more rigorous standards due to, for example, accreditation standards or licensure requirements.
- No more than a total of 30 credit hours of correspondence, extension, military service, prior learning assessment, or credit by examination work may be applied as credit toward a degree.
- Refer to individual program of study pages for credit hour requirements.
- The cumulative grade point average must not be less than 2.00 and not more than 25 percent of the credit hours may carry the “D” grade. Students must have a 2.00 grade point in their major.
- No more than 50% of technical coursework may be transferred into a program.
- Only six hours of freshman English composition may be used to satisfy degree requirements.
- An official record of any correspondence or transfer work completed at another institution must be on file in the Office of Student Services prior to the end of the semester or term in which graduation is planned.
- No catalog prior to 2005-2006 may be selected.
Associate of General Studies
The associate of general studies degree provides students the flexibility to create a customized program of study designed to fulfill a unique career goal which is not available through any single technical certificate or associate of applied science degree currently offered at Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus.
Students who earn this degree will take a core of general education course work and technical (or higher college level) course work recommended by an academic advisor in the Office of Student Services.
Students may utilize multiple disciplinary training options in a variety of technical fields. Certificate programs currently without a degree option and students who are taking industry requested specialized courses tailored to employer needs may utilize this pathway to a degree.
To view requirements for the Associate of General Studies degree, please access the General Studies programs of study page.
Certificates of Proficiency
To receive a Certificate of Proficiency, application must be made in Degree Works. Students must be currently enrolled to request a Certificate of Proficiency be awarded. Digital diplomas are only available for certificates of proficiency and an email is sent to the student's school email about a week after the graduation date. Once the student receives the email they can download and share their credential.
Degree Completion for Returning Students
Technical course work taken after July 1, 2003 will be considered for application toward a degree, contingent upon the grade requirements for the major as well as overall GPA.
Technical course work taken prior to July 1, 2003 will be considered at the recommendation of program faculty.
Students returning to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree who have not yet earned a degree and meet requirements to earn the Associate of Applied Science degree by having previously taken all required technical course work and general education requirements either at Arkansas Tech University or an accepted accredited transfer institution may earn the Associate of Applied Science degree by successfully completing a minimum of 3 additional hours at an Arkansas Tech University campus.
Degree Completion for Transfer Students
To earn a degree, the student must complete at least 50% of technical course work at Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus. Transfer credit will not count toward the overall GPA.
Students returning to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree who have not yet earned a degree by having previously taken all required technical course work and general education requirements either at Arkansas Tech University or an accepted accredited transfer institution may earn the Associate of Applied Science degree by successfully completing a minimum of 3 additional hours at an Arkansas Tech University campus. No catalog prior to 2005-2006 may be selected.
Requirements for Additional Associate Degrees
A student may not receive multiple degrees within a semester for a single approved degree program. Students wishing to earn multiple degrees in different degree programs within the same semester may do so by completing all degree requirements for each degree.
Students who have already received an associate degree may earn an additional associate degree if the following have been completed:
- all University catalog requirements for the second major field of study,
- all applicable requirements specified under "Requirements for Associate Degrees" above.
Students who have already received a baccalaureate degree may earn an associate degree if the following have been completed:
- all University catalog requirements for the major field of study,
- applicable requirements specified under “Requirements for Associate Degrees”.
Students pursuing an associate of applied science degree must use the Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus catalog in effect at the time they first enroll or any subsequent catalog. No catalog prior to 2005-2006 may be selected.
Assessment Program
Arkansas Tech University (ATU) is dedicated to providing a wide range of traditional and innovative academic programs and is committed to the advancement of student learning and continuous improvement of academic programs and university services. Assessment is at the core of continuous improvement, therefore, students are responsible for participating in state and institutional assessment activities.
State Minimum Core
The courses that comprise Tech's general education curriculum also constitute the University's State Minimum Core, established in accordance with Act 98 of 1989, for implementation the fall semester of 1991. Act 98 requires colleges and universities to identify "a minimum core of courses which shall apply toward the general education core curriculum requirements for baccalaureate degrees at state supported institutions of higher education and which shall be fully transferable between state institutions."
Credit By Examination
Arkansas Tech University recognizes the rigor of Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate Programme (IB), and the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Students who have scored accordingly on an AP, IB, or CLEP exam can earn credit toward graduation at Arkansas Tech University by receiving a qualifying score on the examinations. These credits can satisfy general education requirements.
Students who have already earned a grade in a course may not earn duplicate credit through advanced credit. Advanced credit is not used to calculate a student's grade point average, and therefore, cannot be used to retain scholarship awards.
AP, CLEP, and IB scores should be documented on your application for admission. Submit official score reports or readable copies embossed by your high school to the Office of Admissions. Students who have earned International Baccalaureate (IB) credit should submit their IB transcript for evaluation.
No more than a total of 30 semester hours of correspondence, extension, military service, or credit by examination work may be applied as credit towards a degree.
IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma
Students who successfully complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, with a minimum score of four on each examination, will be granted 24 semester credit hours of undergraduate general education courses. ATU may grant fewer than 24 semester credit hours if the student received a score of less than four on an examination administered as part of the IB Diploma Programme.
Following are the IB examinations that Tech will accept, the corresponding qualifying score, and credit awarded.
| IB Examination | Qualifying Score | Credit Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Biology/Standard | 4 w/diploma | BIOL 1014 Introduction to Biological Science |
| Biology/Higher | 4 | BIOL 1014 Introduction to Biological Science or BIOL 1114 Principles of Biology |
| Chemistry/Standard | 4 w/diploma | CHEM 2124 General Chemistry I |
| Chemistry/Higher | 4 | CHEM 2124 General Chemistry I & CHEM 2134 General Chemistry II |
| Computer Science/Standard | 4 w/diploma | COMS 2104 Foundations of Computer Programming I |
| Computer Science/Higher | 4 | COMS 2104 Foundations of Computer Programming I |
| Economics/Standard | 4 w/diploma | ECON 2003 Principles of Economics I |
| Economics/Higher | 4 | ECON 2003 Principles of Economics I & ECON 2013 Principles of Economics II |
| English/Standard | 4 w/diploma | ENGL 1013 Composition I |
| English/Higher | 4 | ENGL 1013 Composition I & ENGL 1023 Composition II |
| Environmental Systems/Higher | 4 | BIOL 1004 Principles of Environmental Science |
| Film Studies/Higher | 4 | ENGL 2173 Introduction to Film or JOUR 2173 Introduction to Film |
| Geography/Standard | 4 w/diploma | GEOG 2013 Regional Geography of the World |
| Geography/Higher | 4 | GEOG 2013 Regional Geography of the World |
| History/Standard (U.S.) | 4 w/diploma | HIST 2003 US History I |
| History/Higher (U.S.) | 4 | HIST 2003 US History I & HIST 2013 US History II |
| History/Standard (World) | 4 w/diploma | HIST 1503 World History to 1500 |
| History/Higher (World) | 4 | HIST 1503 World History to 1500 & HIST 1513 World History since 1500 |
| Japanese: Language A or B/Standard | 4 w/diploma | JPN 1013 Beginning Japanese I |
| Japanese: Language A or B/Standard | 5 w/diploma | JPN 1013 Beginning Japanese I & JPN 1023 Beginning Japanese II |
| Japanese: Language A or B/Higher | 4 | JPN 1013 Beginning Japanese I& JPN 1023 Beginning Japanese II |
| Japanese: Language A or B/Higher | 5 | JPN 1013 Beginning Japanese I, JPN 1023 Beginning Japanese II, JPN 2013 Intermediate Japanese I & JPN 2023 Intermediate Japanese II |
| Math Studies/Standard | 4 w/diploma | MATH 1113 College Algebra |
| Math Studies/Higher | 4 | MATH 1203 Plane Trigonometry |
| Math/Standard | 4 w/diploma | MATH 1203 Plane Trigonometry |
| Math/Higher | 4 | MATH 2914 Calculus I |
| Math/Higher | 5 | MATH 2914 Calculus I & MATH 2924 Calculus II |
| Music/Standard | 4 w/diploma | MUS 1713 Theory I |
| Music/Higher | 4 | MUS 1713 Theory I |
| Music/Higher | 5 | MUS 1713 Theory I & MUS 1723 Theory II |
| Philosophy/Standard | 4 w/diploma | PHIL 2003 Introduction to Philosophy |
| Philosophy/Higher | 4 | PHIL 2003 Introduction to Philosophy |
| Physics/Standard | 4 w/diploma | PHYS 2014 Physical Principles I |
| Physics/Higher | 4 | PHYS 2014 Physical Principles I & PHYS 2024 Physical Principles II |
| Psychology/Standard | 4 w/diploma | PSY 2003 General Psychology |
| Psychology/Higher | 4 | PSY 2003 General Psychology |
| Social and Cultural Anthropology/Standard | 4 w/diploma | ANTH 1213 Introduction to Anthropology |
| Social and Cultural Anthropology/Higher | 4 | ANTH 2003 Cultural Anthropology |
| Spanish: Language A or B/Standard | 4 w/diploma | SPAN 1013 Beginning Spanish I |
| Spanish: Language A or B/Standard | 5 w/diploma | SPAN 1013 Beginning Spanish I & SPAN 1023 Beginning Spanish II |
| Spanish: Language A or B/Higher | 4 | SPAN 1013 Beginning Spanish I & SPAN 1023 Beginning Spanish II |
| Spanish: Language A or B/Higher | 5 | SPAN 1013 Beginning Spanish I, SPAN 1023 Beginning Spanish II, SPAN 2013 Intermediate Spanish I & SPAN 2023 Intermediate Spanish II |
| Theater Arts/Standard | 4 w/diploma | TH 2273 Introduction to Theatre |
| Theater Arts/Higher | 4 | TH 2273 Introduction to Theatre |
| Visual Arts/Standard | 4 w/diploma | ART 2123 Experiencing Art |
| Visual Arts/Higher | 4 | ART 2123 Experiencing Art |
AP (Advanced Placement) Program
High school students who participated in The College Board’s AP Program may receive college credit by attaining Tech’s AP qualifying score. Credit earned through AP may satisfy general education requirements. Following are the AP examinations that Tech will accept, the corresponding qualifying score required, and credit awarded.
| AP Examination | Qualifying Score | Credit Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Art History | 3 | ART 2123 Experiencing Art |
| Biology | 3 | BIOL 1014 Introduction to Biological Science |
| Biology | 4 | BIOL 1114 Principles of Biology |
| Calculus AB | 3 | MATH 2914 Calculus I |
| Calculus BC | 3 | MATH 2914 Calculus I & MATH 2924 Calculus II |
| Chemistry | 3 | CHEM 1113 A Survey of Chemistry, CHEM 1111 Survey of Chemistry Laboratory & CHEM 2204 Organic Physiological Chemistry or CHEM 2124 General Chemistry I & CHEM 2134 General Chemistry II |
| Chinese Language & Culture | 3 | CHIN 2013 Intermediate Chinese I |
| Computer Science Principles | 3 | COMS 1403 Orientation/Computing/Info/Technology & COMS 1411 Computer and Information Science Lab |
| Computer Science A | 3 | COMS 2104 Foundations/Computer Programming I |
| Computer Science A | 4 | COMS 2104 Foundations/Computer Programming I & COMS 2203 Foundations/Computer Programming II |
| English Lang/Comp or Lit/Comp | 3 | ENGL 1013 Composition I |
| English Lang/Comp or Lit/Comp | 4 | ENGL 1013 Composition I & ENGL 1023 Composition II |
| Environmental Science | 3 | BIOL 1004 Principles of Environmental Science, ENVS 1004 Principles of Environmental Science or PHSC 1004 Principles of Environmental Science |
| French Language | 3 | FR 2013 Intermediate French I |
| German Language | 3 | GER 2013 Intermediate German I |
| Government & Politics: Comparative | 4 | POLS 2403 Comparative Government |
| Government & Politics: US | 3 | POLS 2003 American Government |
| Human Geography | 3 | GEOG 2023 Human Geography |
| Japanese Language & Culture | 3 | JPN 2013 Intermediate Japanese I |
| Macroeconomics | 3 | ECON 2003 Principles of Economics I |
| Music Theory | 3 | MUS 2003 Introduction to Music |
| Physics B | 3 | PHYS 2014 Physical Principles I & PHYS 2024 Physical Principles II |
| Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism | 3 | PHYS 2024 Physical Principles II |
| Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism | 4 | PHYS 2124 General Physics II |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 3 | PHYS 2014 Physical Principles I |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 4 | PHYS 2114 General Physics I |
| Physics 1 | 3 | PHYS 2014 Physical Principles I |
| Physics 2 | 3 | PHYS 2024 Physical Principles II |
| Psychology | 3 | PSY 2003 General Psychology |
| Spanish Language | 3 | SPAN 2013 Intermediate Spanish I |
| Spanish Literature | 4 | SPAN 4213 Spanish Literature |
| Statistics | 3 | MATH 2163 Introduction to Statistical Methods |
| Studio Art Design 2-D | 4 | ART 1403 Two-dimensional Design |
| Studio Art Drawing | 4 | ART 1303 Introduction to Drawing |
| United States/American History | 3 | HIST 2003 United States History to 1877 & HIST 2013 United States History since 1877 |
| World History | 3 | HIST 1503 World History to 1500 & HIST 1513 World History since 1500 |
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
CLEP allows students to earn credit toward graduation by attaining Tech’s qualifying score on either the general and/or subject examinations. Credit earned through CLEP may satisfy general education requirements. No more than one subject examination may be taken in a particular departmental area, and students must have prior approval from the department in which they are majoring to count the hours toward graduation.
It is recommended that an ACT sub-score of 24 or above or an SAT sub-score of 500 or above be used as a guideline for attempting to earn credit through CLEP. Following are the CLEP examinations that Tech will accept, the corresponding qualifying score required, and credit awarded.
| CLEP Examination | Qualifying Score | Credit Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| American Government | 50 | POLS 2003 American Government |
| American Literature | 50 | ENGL 2013 Introduction to American Literature |
| Biology | 50 | BIOL 1014 Introduction to Biological Science or BIOL 1114 Principles of Biology |
| Calculus | 50 | MATH 2914 Calculus I |
| Chemistry | 50 | CHEM 2124 General Chemistry I |
| Chemistry | 55 | CHEM 2124 General Chemistry I & CHEM 2134 General Chemistry II |
| College Algebra | 50 | MATH 1113 College Algebra |
| College Mathematics | 50 | MATH 1003 College Mathematics |
| College Composition | 50 | ENGL 1013 Composition I |
| College Composition | 59 | ENGL 1013 Composition I & ENGL 1023 Composition II |
| College Composition Modular | 50 | ENGL 1013 Composition I |
| College Composition Modular | 59 | ENGL 1013 Composition I & ENGL 1023 Composition II |
| English Literature | 50 | ENGL 3413 British Literature to 1800 |
| English Literature | 55 | ENGL 3413 British Literature to 1800 & ENGL 3423 British Literature since 1800 |
| French Language | 42 | FR 1013 Beginning French I |
| French Language | 50 | FR 1013 French I & FR 1023 Beginning French II |
| German Language | 43 | GER 1013 Beginning German I |
| German Language | 55 | GER 1013 Beginning German I & GER 1023 Beginning German II |
| History of the United States I | 50 | HIST 2003 United States History to 1877 |
| History of the United States II | 50 | HIST 2013 United States History since 1877 |
| Human Growth & Development | 50 | PSY 3813 Lifespan Development |
| Humanities | 50 | HUM 2003 Topics in Arts and Humanities |
| Information Systems & Computer Applications | 52 | COMS 1003 Introduction to Computer Based Systems |
| Natural Sciences | 56 | BIOL 1014 Introduction to Biological Science, PHSC 1013 Introduction to Physical Science, & PHSC 1021 Physical Science Laboratory |
| Precalculus | 50 | MATH 1914 Precalculus |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 50 | ECON 2003 Principles of Economics I |
| Psychology, Introductory | 50 | PSY 2003 General Psychology |
| Social Sciences & History | 50 | HIST 1503 World History to 1500 |
| Social Sciences & History | 56 | HIST 1503 World History to 1500 & HIST 1513 World History since 1500 |
| Sociology, Introductory | 50 | SOC 1003 Introductory Sociology |
| Spanish Language | 45 | SPAN 1013 Beginning Spanish I |
| Spanish Language | 55 | SPAN 1013 Beginning Spanish I & SPAN 1023 Beginning Spanish II |
Institutional Credit
Computer Science
Students with previous computer experience may petition the Department of Computer and Information Science for credit for COMS 1003 Introduction to Computer Based Systems. Petitioners will be given written and/or oral examinations by a computer science faculty member.
Challenge Subject Examinations
Students who have had extensive experience in health care and industrial settings may elect to attempt to earn credit through an institutional challenge examination in:
AHS 2013 Medical Terminology
Prior Learning Assessment
The term "Prior Learning Assessment" (PLA) is the process by which an individual's experiential and extra institutional learning is assessed and evaluated for purposes of granting college credit. Supporting documentation that demonstrates learning outcomes, competencies, and professional skills gained through prior learning must be submitted.
Students may be awarded a maximum of 24 semester credit hours for prior learning not to exceed 50% of the technical coursework required for a technical certificate or associate degree. No more than a total of 30 combined semester hours of correspondence, extension, military service, prior learning assessment, or credit by examination work may be applied as credit towards a degree.
Not all programs provide the PLA credit option.
Eligibility
A student must be admitted and attending an Arkansas Tech-Ozark certificate or associate degree seeking program to be eligible to apply for PLA credit.
Application
An application form must be completed and approved to petition for PLA credit. Application for PLA and listing of current approved credit is available on the Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus website.
Internships
Arkansas Tech University endorses the internship approach to learning and has adopted university-wide guidelines. This approach can help students understand the reality of certain careers and supplement academic instruction with practical, realistic implementation in a work environment. Academic credit can be earned for internships in several degree programs. Please see individual programs for availability of specific degree credit.