Occupational Education Program (BSOE)

Specialized General Studies Requirements

General Studies courses should meet the Troy University General Studies Program  guidelines.

Admission Requirements to the BSOE Program

To apply for admission to the BSOE program, applicants must submit:

1. Completed Application for Admission,
2. Official transcript(s) from all colleges and universities attended,
3. Evidence of an Associates’ Degree from a regionally accredited college*, or Associate of Applied Science Degree

*Any awarded Associates Degree must include coursework commensurate with the Troy University General Studies Program.

** Credentialed Work-Related Experience (30 Hours) - Troy University recognizes that individuals working in various occupations have garnered hundreds, perhaps thousands of hours of experience to become highly proficient in a particular area. Further, these individuals earn certifications, licenses, or some sort of credential indicating expertise. Troy University will provide academic credit for those hard-earned credentials. Individuals in the BSOE program can earn up to 30 hours in one of two ways:

1. National, state, military, or professional credentials that are widely recognized in the field as indicating currency and competency in work related abilities. These credentials will be scrutinized by TROY for authenticity, rigor, and occupational regard. Examples of acceptable credentials would include:
   • National Inspection Testing and Certification Corporation (NITC) certification
   • ANSI/NETA ETT Standard for Certification of Electrical Testing Technicians
   • Certified Information Systems Security Specialist (CISSP)
   • A+ Certification
   • Security + Certification
   • Community College of the Air Force credentials
   • USAF Air University credentials
   • Air Force Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL)
   • American Council on Education Credit (A.C.E.)

After review, TROY will award appropriate credit up to 30 hours. Should the award fall below 30 hours, TROY will recommend subsequent action to reach the 30-hour requirement. (Example: enrollment in a specified program of study at a community college to earn credit in related skill areas.)

2. A detailed Work-Related Portfolio Assessment that must be completed before registering for the Professional Core. This portfolio will be assembled by potential students for evaluation by Troy University. In turn, TROY will determine appropriate academic credit (hours) and recommend any additional credentials needed to earn the full 30 hours required.

Troy University recognizes that some students may have acquired knowledge and skills through life experiences, but may not have recognized credentials indicating currency and/or competency in those skills. The Work-Related Portfolio Assessment allows students the opportunity to have life/work related experiences evaluated as educational experiences and credited toward the BSOE Area 2: Work Related Experience. This portfolio is a collection of materials which represent a student’s life experience in a certain subject area or skill. It will be assembled by potential students for evaluation by Troy University. In turn, TROY will determine academic credit (hours) and recommend any additional credentials needed to earn the full 30 hours required.

Portfolio contents include:

Cover Letter (Required): A cover letter briefly summarizes and clarifies the life experiences, work related activities, and credential for which credit is requested. This letter can include:

Community service
Correspondence courses
Employment
Learning through technology
Non-credit experience
Certificates, licenses, awards
Travel

Resume (Required): A more in-depth description of the applicant’s personal history such as education, employment, experiences, awards, etc.

Job description(s): Detailed descriptions of past employment commensurate with skills/ability claimed. This includes duties, responsibilities, length of employment, and any other details that would indicate work related experience.

Documents: Documents indicating proficiency levels in relevant areas of performance. This could include certificates, licenses, awards, supervisory ratings, commendations, and/or any other verification of skills.

Reflections: Written documentation of personal accomplishments and why the applicant feels their experiences merit academic credit.

Artifacts: Samples of work demonstrating applications of the concepts and principles in the skill being considered, such as engineering drawings, technical manuals, publications, video and/or audio tapes, and any other creations deemed appropriate, etc.

NOTE: Students submitting credentials or the portfolio are provisionally admitted. They will be permitted to begin Area 3 (the Professional Core) only after TROY has rendered a decision regarding credit award and additional credentials needed.

Academic Core (30 Hours)

• ADE 3301 - Education Leadership and Motivation in Adult Learning 3 Credit Hour(s)
• ADE 3305 - Teaching Adults with Technology 3 Credit Hour(s)
• ADE 3310 - Teaching Adult Learners 3 Credit Hour(s)
• ADE 3320 - Assessing Adult Learners 3 Credit Hour(s)
• ADE 3346 - Educational Psychology in Adult Learning 3 Credit Hour(s)
• ADE 4400 - Classroom Management in Adult Learning 3 Credit Hour(s)
• ADE 4401 - Problem Solving and Decision Making 3 Credit Hour(s)
• ADE 4410 - Professional Education Communication (Student Counseling) 3 Credit Hour(s)
• ADE 4420 - History and Development of the Workforce 3 Credit Hour(s)
• COM 2231 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Credit Hour(s)

Additional Information

It is also recognized that many BSOE students may have already been in an occupational education environment and/or may have secured additional, related hours for courses similar to the Professional Core. To recognize and provide credit for these experiences, TROY will provide up to twelve (12) hours credit to the professional core in this manner:

1. Transfer credit for courses taken at another regionally accredited university with a grade of “B” or better. These courses must be comparable in catalog description to courses in the Professional Core and must be approved by the Dean of the College of Education.
2. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). Students wishing to receive credit for the following courses must pass a course specific exam to receive credit for any one of these courses. These exams are developed by TROY faculty to assess a potential student’s grasp of course content. Each course will have one exam that is proctored at an appropriate location.
   ADE 3310 - Teaching Adult Learners 
   ADE 3320 - Assessing Adult Learners 
   ADE 3305 - Teaching Adults with Technology 

NOTE: Academic Regulation Requiring Residency. For Students seeking a bachelor’s degree from TROY, 25% of the credit hours required for the degree must be completed in “residence” through TROY or TROYONLINE. Therefore, in some cases, students will not be granted transfer credit or PLA credit even if they qualify.

NOTE: Case Example - Student A, a welding instructor at ABC Community College, starts TROY with an associate’s degree and registers for the BSOE degree. Student A also provides evidence of work related experience. Student A MUST take all ten, 3-hour course to satisfy TROY’s 25% credit hour academic requirements.