ODHE Gives Refresh to OTC Degree Pathways

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 ODHE hosted a webinar to go over the below outlined changes to the Ohio Technical Degree, newly named the One-Year Option.

These resources where shared during the webinar:

• • Recorded webinar (includes powerpoint)
  • Powerpoint only
  • New website for students
  • New website for Higher Education Institutions

As background, the following was shared from the Ohio Department of Higher Education:

The Ohio Articulation and Transfer Network (OATN) is pleased to announce the refreshed and rebranded One-Year Option. This initiative, mandated by the Ohio General Assembly in 2014, supports the pursuit of a college degree for Ohioans who complete training programs at an Ohio Technical Center.

BACKGROUND: In 2014, a credit articulation system was established by the Ohio General Assembly for the awarding of technical college credit to those completing Ohio Technical Center programs. The system became known as the One-Year Option; to be awarded 30 technical college credits toward a technical degree, students needed to prove completion of a 900+ clock-hour program and a Chancellor-approved, industry-recognized credential. As it was implemented, it was decided that the Associate of Technical Studies (ATS) was the best fit for this block credit. The General Assembly also created a provision for OTC programs that were 600-899 clock hours such that credit hours could be prorated.

REFRESHED AND REBRANDED: In 2023, the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) and OATN renewed their commitment to OTC students and created a full-time staff position to oversee the process to refresh and rebrand the One-Year Option. Over the past year, a cross-functional team has established priorities, including the expansion of pathways beyond the ATS to include an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and an Associate of Applied Business (AAB), where appropriate, and the creation of additional resources. As a result, the One-Year Option has been renamed as the “ATS Pathway” where it joins the AAS and the AAB pathways under the general umbrella of “OTC Degree Pathways.” When possible, the AAS and AAB pathways will leverage the Industry-Recognized Credential Transfer Assurance Guides (ITAGs) that guarantee course-specific college credit.

Newly-approved OTC Degree Pathways will be announced and published on the new OTC Degree Pathways webpage. As additional articulations are refreshed and approved, they will be posted to this page. In addition to the information for our educational partners, the website also includes extensive information for students, including sample pathway documents.

We are pleased to announce the following refreshed and updated pathways: