PROFESSIONAL-TECHNICAL PROGRAMS

CONTACT PERSON
Dean: Rob Lohrmeyer, PhD
e-mail: rlohrmey@lcsc.edu
Office: MTB 101
Phone: 792-2225
Fax: 792-2816
Web: http://www.lcsc.edu/ptp

OVERVIEW
Professional-Technical Programs offer professional and technical training through a formalized array of educational experiences that will prepare individuals for gainful employment as semi-skilled, skilled workers, or technicians in recognized and in new and emerging occupations. It also prepares individuals for enrollment in advanced technical education programs.

To accomplish this, Professional-Technical Programs, through the instructional divisions of Business Technology and Service and Technical and Industrial, offer 20 AAS degrees, 15 advanced technical certificates, and 23 certificates in a wide array of career areas. Workforce Training provides professional-technical entry level, upgrade, and industry-specific job skills training to meet individual and business/industry needs throughout Region II of Idaho. Workforce Training also provides job related training (pre-employment or job skill upgrade) that may include apprenticeship, custom/contract, short-term, or industry-specific training.

ORGANIZATION
The Professional-Technical Programs are organized into units to carry out the role and mission. The Divisions of Business Technology and Service and Technical and Industrial provide the instructional support for the various programs and degrees. Workforce Training provides education and training opportunities in all areas of industry, allied health, professional/business technology, and government agencies.

DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES OFFERED
The following certificates and degrees can be earned through the Professional-Technical Programs.

TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
A credential awarded by the institution for a Professional-Technical program that does not meet the criteria for other Professional- Technical certificates and consists of seven semester credits or less.

POSTSECONDARY-TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE
A credential awarded for completion of requirements in an approved Professional-Technical program of instruction of at least eight semester credits and mastery of specific competencies drawn from requirements of business/industry.

TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE
A credential awarded for the completion of requirements entailing at least 27 semester credits and less than one year of full-time work and includes mastery of specific competencies drawn from requirements of business/industry.

ADVANCED TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE
A credential awarded for completion of technical and technical support requirements entailing more than one academic year, a minimum of 52 semester credits and mastery of specific competencies drawn from requirements of business/industry.

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE
A credential awarded for completion of requirements entailing at least two, but less than four years of full-time Professional-Technical study, with a minimum of 60 semester credits (includes a minimum of 16 General Education credits) and includes mastery of specific competencies drawn from requirements of business/industry. The AAS degree has specific requirements in the individual technical fields (e.g. electronics, civil engineering technology, business occupations, information technology, etc.).

BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE (BAS) DEGREE
The BAS degree is based on the foundation skills gained in the same AAS degree program. Entering freshman who have not completed an AAS degree can also choose to pursue this program concurrently while completing the BAS. The BAS is specifically designed for students who want to build upon the technical strengths of their Associate of Applied Science degree. Concentrations are available in any of the majors offered as AAS degrees. For students who have earned an AAS degree from another accredited institution in a major not offered by LCSC, a BAS in Applied Technology (BASAT) is available. The programs are developed to satisfy emerging needs of local business and industry. Graduates are applications-oriented individuals prepared to meet industry challenges.

Graduates of the BAS program will be provided with a comprehensive General Education Core combined with a highly individualized array of upper division electives designed to support and strengthen the original AAS degree. This individualized study plan is developed in consultation with the student’s program advisor and will list the specific approved courses in the emphasis area elective requirement.

The minimum requirements for the BAS degree are:
• AAS Technical Core - 50 credits (maximum)
• AAS General Education Core - 16 credits
• Academic General Education Requirements - 22 credits
• Emphasis Area Electives - 40 credits (33 must be upper division)
• Total: Minimum of 128 credits

BACHELOR OF APPLIED TECHNOLOGY (BAT) DEGREE
The BAT degree is based on a foundation of mathematics, science, and applied technology. A BAT degree is available in Engineering Technology and Information Systems Analysis after completion of the related AAS degree. These programs have been developed to satisfy the needs of industry by providing the student with technical courses beyond those in the AAS degree. Course work requires application of theory and practice. Students who earn BAT degrees complete a highly prescriptive array of math, science, and technical courses designed to support and strengthen the original AAS degree. Graduates are applications-oriented individuals who are prepared to meet industry challenges.

The minimum requirements for the BAT degrees are:
Engineering Technology BAT
• AAS Technical Core 49 credits
• AAS General Education Core 16 credits
• General Education Requirements 22 credits
• Advanced Technical Core 47 credits
• Total: Minimum of 134 credits

Information Systems Analysis BAT
• AAS Technical Core 48 credits
• AAS General Education Core 16 credits
• General Education Requirements 21 credits
• Advanced Technical Core 48 credits
• Total: Minimum of 133 credits

BAS/BAT/BASAT Requirements
• Out-of-state AAS degrees must be evaluated for meeting Idaho State Board of Education standards.
• If the AAS is over five (5) years old, the student’s record must be evaluated by the appropriate Professional-Technical program for currency in the technical field.
• All BAS/BAT/BASAT students must earn a minimum of 2.0 GPA in all upper division coursework for graduation, as well as a minimum 2.0 GPA in all General Educations Core coursework.  

ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR PROFESSIONAL-TECHNICAL PROGRAMS
Attendance policies for students in Professional-Technical Programs are based upon current practices in local business and industry. Students are expected to attend all classes and laboratories. No absences, whether approved by the college for participation in college-sponsored activities, or necessitated by sickness or other personal emergency, are excused in the sense of relieving the student of responsibility for work assigned for the class during absence. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange make-up work with instructors. Repeated absences may jeopardize further enrollment by the student in that program. Professional-Technical students also are expected to make reasonable progress toward a career goal. Reasonable progress is considered by the instructor to be timely acquisition of the necessary occupational skills and related knowledge with respect to individual student ability. For specific program requirements refer to the Technical and Industrial section.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
All candidates for any Professional-Technical program degree or certificate may be required to meet unique program requirements. Such requirements may include (but are not limited to) requiring a student to take specific General Education courses, program specific prerequisites, minimum grade attainment on all program classes, minimum GPA level, and technical skill assessments prior to exiting the program. Any specific requirements will be noted in the program section of this catalog.

Professional-Technical Majors and Degrees offered 2009-2011 [pdf]