St. Cloud Technical College

Foundation Skills for Technical Education
by Steve Whipple

General Education is an essential component of the technical educational experience for students in all disciplines of study at SCTC. Woven throughout the curriculum of all technical programs, it engages students in the exploration and acquisition of the knowledge, skills, and values for lifelong excellence in technical careers.

General education courses are a part of all certificates, diplomas, and associate of applied science (AAS) degrees. Diploma students take Writing for the Workplace and Human Relations to strengthen the "soft skills" the industries require. An AAS degree allows students to take not only program specific courses, but their degree will also include many transferable general education courses. After completing an AAS degree, students can continue on to earn a four year degree on campus by attending an evening program offered by Southwest Minnesota State University.

SCTC's Academic Achievement Center (AACE) assists the program by offering tutoring and support. Hundreds of students go to the Math Center every year to discovery they really can do math. An increasing number of courses are being offered online. This gives students the flexibility of scheduling classes around work and internships.

Students can also obtain an Associate of Arts (AA) degree on the SCTC campus through collaboration with Anoka Ramsey Community College. While enrolled in this AA program, students will complete the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum which consists of their lower division general education coursework.

General education empowers individuals to obtain and retain employment, enhance their opportunities for career advancement, and furnish a supportive environment in which they can develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to succeed in technical fields. SCTC has truly become a place where anyone can come and begin the process of achieving a technical career.