Technical Studies, AAS Degree

Mitchell Technical Institute now offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Technical Studies. The degree is designed to be a flexible option for students seeking career advancement by earning an associate’s degree: past graduates of technical institute diploma or certificate programs; individuals in the workforce, with or without formal postsecondary education, whose experience and skills gained on the job can translate to postsecondary credit; and others, with or without prior formal postsecondary education, whose career objectives cannot be met through the completion of any single technical program offered at one of the four technical institutes.

The Technical Studies AAS degree will provide South Dakotans a practical, efficient pathway to a college degree and the upskilling required for job advancement. The Technical Studies degree is earned through completion of an existing technical institute diploma or approved certificate and completed by stacking a combination of credits awarded for general education and technical credits earned at the technical institute. The student has the ability to lattice into a customized degree by choosing courses in business or management or additional technical courses that will enhance the student’s overall skills, certifications, and value in the workplace.

The student will be required to meet the minimum requirements of 25%, or the institute’s requirement if higher, of their total program must be earned at the individual technical institute offering the degree.

Award: AAS

The curriculum will be custom-designed based on each individual student’s career goals and past educational and job experience. The overall framework for the structure will include an existing approved diploma or certificate from an accredited school, and the remaining credits for technical and general education courses.

The degree is comprised of a minimum of 60 credits.

Technical Courses (30 credit hours minimum)

(Technical credits, as part of a required earned certificate or diploma from an HLC accredited institution, may be earned by a combination of technical courses and/or work experience demonstrated through documented and demonstrated assessments.)

General Education Courses (15 - 18 credit hours minimum)

(Students must meet the technical institute’s A.A.S. degree general education requirements where they enroll in the Technical Studies program. Each Technical Institute may have different requirements.)

Elective Courses (12 - 15 credit hours minimum)

(The degree requires a minimum of 60 credits. Individualized plans of study will include the required 30 technical credits and 15- 18 general education credits, and at least 12 -15 additional credits—technical or general electives—to meet the students’ career objectives.)