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Dr. Mary Jean White
Dean of Technology

B.S., Troy State University
M.Ed., Ed.D., Auburn University

Message from the Dean



Message from the Dean
Southern Union's Technical Division programs prepare students for immediate employment, retrain existing employees, and promote local economic development. Since 90% of the new jobs in this decade will require technical education beyond high school and because most young people either do not attend or do not complete a four-year program, Southern Union's technical division programs are particularly appropriate as they prepare our students for rewarding careers.

The Technical Division is composed of two departments – the Business Department and the Technical Department. The Business Department programs are Business Management and Supervision, Computer Science, and Office Management. College transfer courses for the business major are also a part of the Technical Division. The Technical Department is made up of the following programs: Automotive Mechanics Technology, Automotive Collision Repair, Child Development, Cosmetology, Engineering Graphics and Design, Heating and Air Conditioning, Industrial Electricity/Electronics, Industrial Maintenance Technology, Machine Shop, Therapeutic Massage, and Welding. There are several degree options available within the Business Department and the Technical Department. Associate degree programs are two-year occupational or technical programs designed to prepare students for immediate employment in the selected field. The Associate in Applied Science Degree and the Associate in Occupational Technologies Degree are awarded in the Technical Division. Although not designed for transfer to a four-year school, some courses in these programs will. Please see your advisor if you have questions concerning transferability of courses.

Occupational certificate programs contain the same technical courses that are taught in the degree, but the general education core is reduced. Certificate programs consist of courses that may be completed in one year. Awards of Achievement are institutional awards that denote proficiency in selected courses of study. These awards require successful completion of a series of technical or career courses but require no general education courses.

Students who enroll in programs in the Technical Division should follow the general requirements for admissions as presented in the admissions information section of the College catalog. Students sixteen years or older who have not graduated from high school may enroll in certain programs within the technical department, provided they document ability to benefit; however, a high school diploma or GED is required for graduation.

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Tech-Prep, Dual Enrollment and Early College Enrollment are programs for high school students.

Tech-Prep education is a four-year planned sequence of study for a technical field which a student may begin in the eleventh grade of high school. The sequence extends through two years of post secondary occupational/technical education and culminates in a certificate or associate degree. Dual Enrollment is designed for students who wish to receive both high school and college credit while still in high school and is available for all technical programs.  Through the Early College Enrollment Program (ECEP), qualifying high school juniors and senior earn college credits while completing high school. ECEP participants earn credits applicable toward high school graduation and college degree requirements at no cost to the student.

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Business and Industry programs provide specific training to meet the needs of area employers.

Training for business and industry includes classes in Industrial Electricity, Industrial Maintenance Technology, Office Management, Computer Science, Management, Welding, and Certification Preparation. Classes are held on campus and at job sites. These programs vary in length and are business or industry specific.

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Technical Division instructional programs prepare students for immediate employment in well-paying occupations.

The following are the program abbreviations and awards of the Technical Division of Southern Union State Community College.

A. Associate in Applied Science Degree

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree is designed for students who wish to prepare for a career through an occupational/technical program and at the same time enjoy the rewards of college general education. These programs may vary in length from 74 to 76 semester hours. A minimum of 21 semester hours of general education courses is required for all AAS programs. AAS degrees are offered in the following areas:

  • CHD Child Development
  • CIS Computer Science
  • DDT Engineering Graphics and Design
  • ELT/ILT Industrial Electricity/Electronics Technology
  • INT Industrial Maintenance Technology
  • MST Business Management and Supervision
  • OAD Office Management with options in Accounting, Medical Coding and Medical Transcription

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B. Associate in Occupational Technologies Degree

The Associate in Occupational Technologies Degree (AOT) is designed for students whose goals are to gain, maintain, or retrain into high-wage, high-demand technical careers that require multifunctional primary and secondary occupational or technical specialty skills. These programs are 68 to 76 semester hours in length. A minimum of 19 semester hours of general education courses is required for all AOT programs which are available in the following areas:

  • ABR Automotive Collision Repair
  • ASC Heating and Air Conditioning Technology
  • AUM Automotive Mechanics Technology
  • COS Cosmetology
  • MSP Machine Shop Technology
  • WDT Welding Technology
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C. Occupational Certificate

Occupational certificates prepare students for employment in specific occupational fields. A student who completes the requirements of a specific technical or occupational program of 39 to 60 semester hours as outlined in the Catalog is awarded an occupational certificate. A minimum of three semester hours of mathematics and three semester hours of communication skills is required as the general education component of these programs:

  • ABR Automotive Collision Repair
  • ASC Heating and Air Conditioning Technology
  • AUM Automotive Mechanics Technology
  • CHD Child Development
  • CIS Computer Science
  • COS Cosmetology
  • INT Industrial Maintenance Technology
  • MSP Machine Shop Technology
  • MST Business Management and Supervision
  • OAD Office Management
  • OAD Office Management/Medical Transcription
  • WDT Welding Technology

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D. Certificate

The general certificate programs in the Technical Division at Southern Union require 26-29 semester hours and may be completed in one year. Depending on the program, general education courses may not be required.  Certificates are offered in the following areas:

  • ABR Automotive Collision Repair
  • ASC Heating and Air Conditioning Technology
  • AUM Automotive Mechanics Technology
  • CIS Computer Science/Applications
  • CIS Computer Science Programming
  • DDT Engineering Graphics & Design
  • ELT/ILT Industrial Electricity/Electronics Technology
  • INT Industrial Maintenance Technology
  • MSG Therapeutic Massage
  • MSP Machine Shop Technology
  • MST Business Management and Supervision
  • OAD Office Management
  • OAD Office Management/ Medical Transcription
  • WDT Welding Technology with emphasis in Manufacturing/Fabrication and Pipe Welding

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E. Award of Achievement

Awards of Achievement are institutional awards that denote proficiency in selected courses of study. These awards require the successful completion of a series of technical or career courses but require no general education courses.  Awards of Achievement are available in all technical programs, but are most often awarded in the following areas:

  • CHD Child Development
  • CIT Cosmetology Instructor Training
  • OAD Word Processing
  • RLS Real Estate

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Admissions

Students who enroll in Technical Division programs should follow the general requirements for admission as presented in the Admissions Information section of this Catalog. Students sixteen years or older who have not graduated from high school may be admitted as non-degree eligible students to the following certificate programs provided they are at least 16 years of age and have not been enrolled in secondary education for at least one calendar year (or upon the recommendation of the local superintendent) and have specifically documented ability-to benefit. A high school diploma or GED is required for graduation in any program.

  • Automotive Collision Repair
  • Automotive Mechanics Technology
  • Heating and Air Conditioning Technology
  • Machine Shop Technology
  • Welding Technology

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Orientation

ORI 101, Orientation to College, is required for all students who have never attended college.

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Live Work Policy

Live work will be conducted when the training program requires such projects for the acquisition of occupational skills leading to employment. Such work may be done either in school or on a job location and includes service, repair, or production jobs. All live work performed must be approved by the Dean of Technology. To qualify for work to be done at Southern Union State Community College, one must be categorized as a student or employee of the College, a charitable organization, a tax supported program or institution, or a public employee. Live work may occasionally be conducted for individuals or organizations other than those listed provided State Board of Education policy is followed. The total charge for live work will be cost plus 20 percent.

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