Workforce Programs

Short-Term and Certificate Programs

Certificate programs are a grouping of subject-matter courses which, when satisfactorily completed by a student, will entitle the student to a certificate or documentary evidence, other than a degree, of completion of a course of study at the postsecondary level in workforce education. These credentials can range from 9-51 credit hours and include the following:

  • An Occupational Skills Award (OSA) consists of 9-14 credit hours and are intended to prepare students for employment in accordance with guidelines established by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
  • An Institutional Credential leading to Licensure or Certification (ICLC) consists of 9-14 credit hours that represent the achievement of identifiable skill proficiency and leading to licensure or certification.
  • Level One Certificates (CT1) consist of 15-42 credit hours and are Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Exempt.
  • Level Two Certificates (CT2) consist of 30-51 credit hours and are TSI Liable.
  • Level Three Certificates (Enhanced Skills Certificates) are optional certificates associated with an A.A.S. degree program intended to provide advanced skills, identified by a business and industry, which are not part of the degree. These certificates consist of 6-12 credit hours.
  • Advanced Technical Certificates have a defined associate or baccalaureate degree as a prerequisite for admission and are designed to be focused, clearly related to the prerequisite degree, and justifiable to meet industry or external agency requirements. These certificates consist of 16-45 credit hours.

Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)

An Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded upon completion of a prescribed program of study of 60 credit hours in a technical or professional field. A.A.S. curricula are designed to enable the student to master competencies required to enter an occupation with marketable skills upon graduation.

Specialization

Some A.A.S. degrees offer curricula variations that allow students to specialize.  The specialty does not result in a different A.A.S. degree, but allows the student to focus on a specific area within their chosen field.

General Education Requirements

All workforce education students at STC are required to complete a minimum of 15 credit hours in general education courses before receiving an A.A.S. degree.

These 15 credit hours of general education courses must include at least one course in each of the following three areas: humanities/fine arts; social/behavioral sciences; and mathematics/natural sciences.