Technical Study Associate Degree
Build a degree around the work you've already done. Shawnee State's Associate of Technical Study (A.T.S.) lets you assemble a personalized plan of study that combines existing credits, real-world experience, trade school training, and SSU coursework into one recognized credential.
Program Overview
Shawnee State University's Associate of Technical Study (A.T.S.) degree lets you create a personalized plan of study. This means you can get college credit for skills you've already learned, experiences you've had in the real world, or even courses you've taken at trade schools, career centers, or other colleges. It's perfect if your career path doesn't quite fit into a typical university major, allowing you to build a degree that's exactly what you need.
This degree can be an excellent way to formalize and build upon your existing knowledge or to gain specific technical skills that complement other areas of study. For example, if you've attended a trade school, worked in a specialized field, or have a unique set of technical abilities, the A.T.S. allows you to combine these into a recognized college degree. This helps you get a valuable credential that highlights your diverse expertise, which can be a huge advantage when you're looking for jobs or aiming for career advancement.
SSU offers some of the most affordable tuition rates in Ohio, making a quality education accessible without a huge financial burden. You'll also benefit from smaller class sizes, so your instructors will know you personally and can provide more individualized support. Plus, you'll get to learn and work in state-of-the-art facilities, using the latest tools and equipment. The faculty teaching these courses aren't just professors; they have years of real-world experience in their fields, bringing practical insights directly into your learning.
The Associate of Technical Study degree is an excellent way to match your interests and career aspirations with prior work experience.
Career Outcomes
How to Apply
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Start your application
Free, takes about 15 minutes.
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Send transcripts
Have your high school guidance counselor send them to admissions@shawnee.edu
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File the FAFSA
School code 009942. Required for Free Tuition.
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Get your decision
Most decisions in under 7 days.
At A Glance
Technical Study Associate Degree
Degree
A.T.S.
Format
On Campus
Length
~2 years (varies with prior credit)
Credits
60 minimum
Why Study Technical Study Associate Degree at Shawnee University
You get credit for what you already know. Prior work experience, trade school training, military experience, and credits from other institutions can all count toward the degree.
Your plan is built with you, not imposed on you. Faculty advisors work with you to design a concentration that matches your career goals. It's a great option if your trajectory doesn't fit a standard major — or if you have specialized training you want formalized into a credential.
Tuition is among the lowest in Ohio.
The A.T.S. requires a minimum of 60 credit hours, including:
- 19+ hours of General Education (English, math at MATH 1020 or above, plus foundational GEP courses across at least three areas)
- 12+ hours of engineering technology core, approved by your faculty advisor
- Either 30 hours of industrial/engineering technology study (15 concentrated in one discipline, with up to 12 hours from portfolio assessment) OR 30 hours from approved prior coursework at other institutions, vocational centers, military service (DD214), CT2, AWE, or apprenticeship training documented by portfolio
- Minimum 30 credit hours of resident coursework at Shawnee State
- Minimum 2.00 overall GPA
Faculty advisors have real-world experience and help you map your prior work, training, and goals to a concentration that produces a marketable credential.
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Integrate technical knowledge and skills from multiple sources to solve real problems
- Apply critical thinking and problem-solving to complex technical scenarios
- Communicate technical concepts clearly in writing, speech, and visual form
- Adapt and keep learning as technology and industry needs evolve
- Use industry-standard tools and technologies in their chosen technical focus
The program is delivered on campus at Shawnee State in Portsmouth, Ohio.
This degree is well-suited to people advancing in technical and skilled-trades careers, including:
- Industrial technicians and skilled-trades workers seeking a formal credential
- Veterans applying military training toward a degree
- Career-tech graduates building on prior training
- Working professionals stepping up to supervisory roles
- Anyone targeting a customized technical concentration that doesn't fit a standard major
Free Tuition and Financial Aid
Shawnee State's tuition is among the lowest in Ohio, and the Shawnee Advantage Tuition Guarantee keeps your rate flat for four years. Scholarships including Choose Ohio First and the Pell-Eligible Free Tuition Program may also apply.
See if you Qualify for Free Tuition
Ohio students can apply to receive a $1,500 scholarship up to full-tuition when you apply and are accepted.
Learn More about Choose Ohio FirstTechnical Study Associate Degree Frequently Asked Questions
A flexible associate degree that lets you build a personalized plan of study, often by earning credit for prior learning and work experience.
Yes. Prior work experience, trade school courses, military training (DD214), CT2, AWE, and credits from other institutions can all be applied through portfolio assessment or articulation.
People whose careers don't fit a standard major, those with specialized technical skills or training they want formalized, and anyone looking to combine diverse experience into a recognized credential.
Yes — Shawnee State's tuition is among the lowest in Ohio, which keeps this an accessible option.
Program handbook
There is no separate program handbook. For program policies and requirements, see the Academic Catalog. To learn more, contact:
Accreditation
Shawnee State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). More at hlcommission.org.
