Programs

Degree Programs

Oakland Community College offers programs leading to five degrees:

• Associate in Applied Science
• Associate in Arts
• Associate in Business Administration
• Associate in General Studies
• Associate in Science

The curricula of applied sciences are designed to prepare students for immediate business, technical or semiprofessional employment. A majority of available jobs requires advanced education beyond high school, but does not necessarily require a four-year degree.

The graduates of the applied sciences programs also have a sound base for continuing their formal education toward a bachelor degree. Many four-year institutions are developing options such as Bachelor of Technology degrees that facilitate the transfer of students from technical programs. For information relative to this type of option, students should contact the counseling office on campus. Career selection seminars are available to familiarize the student with the variety of job opportunities that exist and permit the student to make an intelligent selection of a specific occupational field of study. During the seminar, students prepare a personalized plan of study to develop the necessary skills and capabilities for a chosen career. This structure permits students to solidify their interests and test their ability prior to making a final career selection and enables them to switch from one technical major to another with a minimum loss of credit and time.

Applied sciences cooperative work experiences at Oakland Community College include a planned combination of related work experience in business and industry, supplemented by specially designed instructional activities. These internships are part of many occupationally-oriented educational programs and provide special experiences through agreement among the employer, Oakland Community College and the student.

The Associate in Arts Degree emphasizes foreign languages, literature, science, mathematics, fine arts/visual, music, cinematic arts, theatre, global studies, economics, philosophy, sociology and psychology. Students elect the Arts Degree as a basis for further study toward a bachelor degree, as a basis for employment in a variety of positions which require a broad college education and for cultural enrichment. The Arts Degree may serve as the base for baccalaureate-level studies or as the preparation for graduate and professional degrees (e.g. law, medicine).  Students in this program seeking MTA endorsement should work closely with an OCC counselor and must earn at least a 2.0 ("C") in each course being used to meet MTA requirements.

The Associate in Business Administration Degree offers a strong foundation in areas fundamental to business studies, such as accounting, economics and mathematics. Students elect the Associate in Business Degree as a basis for further study toward a bachelor degree. Before taking business courses, students should consult a counselor since the requirements of four-year colleges and universities, both private and public, vary considerably. Students in this program seeking MTA endorsement should work closely with an OCC counselor to identify courses from the MTA List which apply to the endorsement and to degree requirements.

The Associate in General Studies Degree is designed for students choosing to pursue widely varying areas of interest. The degree is not designed for career students, nor is it designed to meet the four-year transfer college requirements of the Michigan Transfer Agreement. Flexibility is provided so the required 60 credit hours can be met as individually appropriate.

The Associate in Science program is a carefully designed collection of coursework linked to demanding requirements found in higher levels of science education and training. The Associate in Science Degree offers a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry and the environmental sciences. Students elect the Associate in Science Degree as a basis for further study toward a bachelor degree and as pre-professional course work in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy. Students in this program seeking MTA endorsement should work closely with an OCC counselor to identify courses from the MTA List which apply to the endorsement and to degree requirements.

Extended Degree Programs

Because this is an institutional requirement that goes beyond the normal 60 credit hours, the College recognizes the efforts of students by designating programs that require 73 or more credits as Extended Degree Programs. Upon completion of an Extended Degree Program, students will receive documentation of the fact that they have completed an Extended Degree Program and appropriate notation will be made on their diplomas. Because of advances in technology and the increasing complexity of various occupational programs, such recognition has become appropriate.

About the Listing of Programs

The programs and courses shown are offered as guidelines. Requirements for these programs may be met through appropriate course substitutions. Each student is urged to see a counselor to construct a personal plan of work. Because of the special nature of certain programs, such as those having national or state accreditation standards, additional rules and conditions may apply to these programs as a variance from those that are generally applied to the institution. Such programs conduct an orientation wherein these rules and conditions are explained to students. In such cases, the rules are available for review by prospective students and others by contacting the appropriate department.