What Is a Technical Studies Degree?
A technical studies degree covers a wide field—and one that is also incredibly interesting. Acquiring technical skills and earning a degree in the concentration that interests you is an ideal path to a well-paying and secure career, without having to devote four years of spending many thousands of dollars for your education. An associate degree in technical studies also provides you with a solid foundation if you later want to pursue advanced degrees.
Technical Studies: A Definition
An associate degree in technical studies, among other technology degrees, can take you in many fascinating directions. These include working in technology, manufacturing, construction, engineering, and applied sciences. You might work in computer and digital technology, electromechanical technology, manufacturing, and nuclear technologies, to name a few.
Employers in many fields are hungry for workers with practical technical know-how. A typical technical studies program will include general education courses, particularly in problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication. You will need mathematics and science. These programs round out with core technical courses in your area of concentration. Several elective options allow you to pursue your personal interests.
What Concentrations Are Available?
Given the breadth of the technical studies field, you have your choice of concentrations. Graduating from Excelsior’s Associate in Applied Science in Technical Studies program with one of the following concentrations can open myriad career opportunities.
Computer Technologies
This concentration gives you technical skills for building, testing, operating, and maintaining computer networks, as well as installing, configuring, and updating software applications. Your classes will include programming fundamentals and IT hardware and software essentials. You’ll learn about business data, cloud computing, and innovation in virtualization.
With this degree concentration, you can work as a systems support technician, a software technical support specialist, an IT field technician, and more.
Electromechanical Technologies
If you’re fascinated by how things work, this degree concentration is for you. You’ll learn about various types of mechanical technology, including electrical and electronic circuits, and also automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical tools, equipment, and processes. The design, assembly, testing, system maintenance, and troubleshooting of mechanical components and instruments are key areas of study.
Jobs include work as a machine operator, an equipment and electronics sales associate, a maintenance manager, a generator technician, a facilities manager, a service technician, and more.
Electronic/Instrumentation Technologies
If circuits, microprocessors, programmable controllers, and electronic components are your thing, this concentration will intrigue you. You will learn about electronic systems and how to assemble, test, maintain, repair, and upgrade their various parts.
Find work as an instrumentation specialist, electrical maintenance technician, automation specialist, electrical and instrumentation troubleshooter, and other roles in a wide variety of industries and sites.
Nuclear Technologies/Power Plant Technologies
This fast-growing area of clean energy is driving demand for people with nuclear technology skills. Learning how to manage radiation shielding, about radiation detection instrumentation, and how to plan and implement radiation protection procedures are the key to safe nuclear power facilities. The concentration also includes renewable energy technologies, including solar, geothermal, wind, and water, along with the basic operation of electrical generation equipment.
Examples of jobs with this degree and these technical skills include field testing technician, calibration technician, radiation protection monitor, instrumentation and control specialist, control room operations team member, and nuclear equipment operator.
How Can You Get Started in a Technology Career?
The Excelsior Associate in Applied Science in Technical Studies program combines classroom and hands-on learning opportunities that prepare you for your career. And as you progress and need further credentials, you are on the right path for other technology degrees at Excelsior University.
