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Program Details

Technical Studies

Associate of Applied Science
Laurel Ridge Community College

The Technical Studies Associate in Applied Science Degree is designed to provide a broad foundation of general education and technological knowledge, along with a concentration in a technical field as identified by local industry needs, that will prepare the graduate to enter or advance in technical fields upon graduation. Students must complete at least one career studies certificate as part of the credits. Additional courses should be taken to create a coherent plan of study.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree The Technical Studies – Trades, AAS is a two-year degree that prepares students for entry-level jobs in technical fields including electricity, HVAC, mechanical maintenance, electronics and sUAS (Drone) Technology .
Considerations When Selecting Courses

Students must complete 1 or 2 CSCs, gen ed requirements, and other courses to make an approved, cohesive plan of study.

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Laurel Ridge Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses This program is G3 eligible. IN-DEMAND credentials and education programs that are eligible for more funding than ever before through the G3 Scholarship.
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights The Technical Studies Associate in Applied Science Degree is designed to provide a broad foundation of general education and technological knowledge, along with a concentration in a technical field as identified by local industry needs, that will prepare the graduate to enter or advance in technical fields upon graduation.
Related Programs & Certifications
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Credential That Prepares You For This Program
Credential
Career Studies Certificate in Drafting
Link
Credential That Prepares You For This Program
Credential
Career Studies Certificate in Small Unmanned Aircraft System Flight Technician (Drones)
Link
Credential That Prepares You For This Program
Credential
Career Studies Certificate in Small Unmanned Aircraft System Flight Operator (Drones)
Link
Credential That Prepares You For This Program
Credential
Career Studies Certificate in Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Link
Program Credit Requirements
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The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You should consult an advisor or counselor to find courses you can take at your current institution that will transfer to this degree.

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Technical Studies
60
Associate of Applied Science in Technical Studies
60
Course Grad Req 718 (2024-25 Catalog)
60
Student Development Requirement
1
Student Development Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
General Education Requirements - Technical Studies
15
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Students must select at least one course from each of the General Education areas below. One additional course is required from any of the four General Education areas to total 15 credits.
Communication Requirement
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
ENG 115 and CST 110 recommended
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature Elective
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
PHI 220 recommended
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
Social/Behavioral Science Requirement
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
SOC 200 recommended
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Math/Natural Science Requirement
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
MTH 131 recommended
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
One or Two completed Certificates or Career Studies Certificates, such as HVAC, Drafting, Practical Electrical Technician, sUAS (Drones) flight operator, sUAS (Drones) flight technician, Basic Electronics Technician, or other approved Certificates or CSCs
15
HVAC CSC
15
AIR 121
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
AIR 122
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
AIR 134
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
AIR 154
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
AIR 155
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Drafting CSC
18
ARC 130
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Practical Electrical Technician CSC
15
ELE 131
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
sUAS (Drones) Flight Operator CSC
15
CSC 110 or ITE 152 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
GIS 101
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
sUAS (Drones) Flight Technician CSC
16
GIS 102
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
UMS 290 or UMS 296
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Basic Electronics Technician CSC
16
ETR 113
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Technical Electives
29
Technical Electives
29
Earn 29 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Residency
60
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 45 credits may be applied to this program.
GPA
60
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Students transferring to Laurel Ridge with an Associate Degree or higher already completed will be able to transfer in applicable credits to their degree and will have SDV 100 waived.

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Laurel Ridge does not distinguish between students earning an associate degree while in high school or after high school graduation.
Credit for Prior Learning https://laurelridge.edu/credit-for-prior-learning/
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Laurel Ridge Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market. We offer many courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. Our student life team offers many ways for students to get involved including clubs, activities, and volunteer opportunities.
Transfer Student Catalog Year The catalog year in effect at the time a student was formally admitted into their curriculum at Laurel Ridge.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog placement is tied to semester start selected in the application.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions https://laurelridge.edu/transfer/
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Technical StudiesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Blue Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Technical StudiesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Mountain Gateway Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Technical StudiesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Danville Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Technical Studies Industrial Technician - MechanicalAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Danville Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Technical Studies Integrated Machining TechnologyAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Danville Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Technical Studies Venture Creation and ManagementAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Danville Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Technical Studies Industrial Technician - ElectricalAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Eastern Shore Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Technical StudiesAssociateAssociate in Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Technical StudiesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Technical StudiesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Mountain Empire Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in WeldingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Southside Virginia Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science with a major in Technical Studies-Industrial Maintenance TechnicianAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
Southwest Virginia Community College Associate of Applied Science in Advanced ManufacturingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearHybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Technical Studies/HVAC and RefrigerationAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Technical Studies/Engineering TechnologyAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Technical StudiesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearOnline
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Technical Studies (Technical Supervision)AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearOnline
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
17-3026.00Industrial Engineering Technologists and TechniciansApply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.Architecture and Engineering Occupations
17-3026.01Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and TechniciansImplement production processes and operate commercial-scale production equipment to produce, test, or modify materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition. Operate advanced microscopy equipment to manipulate nanoscale objects. Work under the supervision of nanoengineering staff.Architecture and Engineering Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 60 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Technical Studies at Laurel Ridge Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 4 semesters or 2 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $163 Per Credit $9,780 $0 $9,780
Fees
Student Activity Fee $2 Per Credit $120 0 $120
Auxiliary Fee $4 Per Credit $240 0 $240
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Tuition & Fee Notes:
  • Additional Fees
    • Some courses include materials fees in the cost of tuition or use free materials, and other courses require students to purchase texbooks or other materials. Laurel Ridge does not charge fees for parking or graduation. Tuition and fees are the same regardless of whether students attend online or in person. Tuition and Fees are subject to change.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.
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