Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees. It is a comprehensive two-year technical college that provides training of persons for jobs in new and expanding industries, upgrading programs for workers already employed and university transfer opportunities.
The goal of the College is to nurture and cultivate the unique qualities of each student through an interesting curriculum, in an inspiring environment and under the leadership of involved instructors. Class size is small, ensuring that each student receives the individualized attention essential for the realization of his/her potential and with the number one priority being the student’s success in school and beyond.
To that end, all courses required for degree, diploma, and certificate graduates relate directly to their majors and to competencies needed for professional advancement after graduation. The opportunity for this type of concentration is one of the primary advantages of attending OCtech.
How To Use This Catalog
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College's catalog is a reference guide that deals with almost all aspects of the College — its policies, programs of study, course offerings, services, and faculty. Statements in this catalog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as the basis of a contract between the student and this institution.
While the provisions of this catalog will ordinarily be applied as stated, Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College reserves the right to change any provision listed in this catalog, including, but not limited to, tuition charges or academic requirements for graduation without actual notice to the individual student. Every effort will be made to keep students advised of such changes. Information on changes or revisions will be available in the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. It is the responsibility of each student to keep apprised of current graduation requirements for his/her particular program.
Instruction
The cornerstone of all courses offered at OCtech is instruction. Teaching, learning and application are dependent on instruction. The College employs the competency-based education method of instruction. Each course has a fully-developed course syllabus with the individual instructor providing relevant supplemental experiences to each course. Instruction includes classroom, laboratory and individual learning experiences.
General Education Core
Each associate degree and diploma curriculum includes a core of general education courses that either meet or exceed the criteria of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The core for associate degree curricula, at least 15 semester credit hours, includes at least one course from each of the following areas: the humanities/fine arts, the social/behavioral sciences and the natural sciences/mathematics; and provides components designed to ensure competence in reading, writing, oral communication, and fundamental mathematical skills. The core for diploma curricula, at least eight semester hours, is designed to develop communication, computational, behavioral and social science skills appropriate to the occupational purpose of the academic discipline.
Advisory Committees
For each curriculum offered at OCtech, there exists an advisory committee composed of concerned experts in the field from the business, health care and industrial communities. Advisory committees provide a vital link between the community and the College by offering objective evaluations and recommendations regarding program developments and instructional improvement. The role of the advisory committees is advisory in nature, not administrative or policy making.
The implementation of an advisory committee is the most productive and effective method for involving the community in education. Strong academic curricula are a result of involved and contributing committees.
Length of Programs
OCtech operates on the semester system. There are two semesters, fall and spring, and a summer session. The time required for a student to complete a curriculum of study will depend on various factors including the number of courses and semester hours taken each semester, the sequence of courses taken and the individual student's own plans and aspirations. Academic advisors are the students' initial contact for planning their academic programs.