Gwinnett Technical College: Programs and Courses Overview

Gwinnett Technical College (Gwinnett Tech) offers a diverse range of academic programs designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for successful careers. This article provides an overview of Gwinnett Tech's programs, courses, accreditation, and key policies.

Academic Programs and Career Choices

Gwinnett Tech's academic programs are carefully selected to provide students with a wide array of career choices. The college regularly reviews its programs to ensure they meet the evolving needs of the job market, adding new programs as demand arises and resources allow. The primary goal of each program is to provide students with employment training through a combination of general education and technical courses.

Program Options: Degree, Diploma, and Certificate

Gwinnett Tech offers three main program options: associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. These options vary in length and the number of general education courses required.

Associate Degrees: Typically range from 60 to 73 credit hours.
Diploma Programs: Range from 37 to 59 credit hours.
Certificate Programs: Range from 9 to 36 credit hours.

Technical certificates of credit are a particularly popular option, providing focused training for entry-level or advanced positions within a shorter timeframe.

General Education

General education courses are an integral part of Gwinnett Tech's programs, supporting students' personal and professional growth. These courses are designed to develop essential skills in reading, writing, oral communication, and mathematics. Associate degree programs require at least 15 credits of general education college-level courses; and all programs require at least 3 credits from each of the following areas: English, humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and natural sciences/ mathematics.

Admission and Advisement

Regular admission policies apply to all Gwinnett Tech programs. Upon acceptance, students are assigned an academic advisor who provides guidance and support throughout their academic journey. The Enrollment Support Center staff works closely with academic advisors to assist students with course schedule planning and progress counseling. Students are encouraged to visit the Enrollment Support Center and view advisement information online. Full-time instructors also maintain scheduled office hours, providing additional support to students.

Accreditation

Accreditation is a crucial process that ensures the quality of educational institutions. Gwinnett Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the associate of applied science degree. Contact SACSCOC at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Gwinnett Technical College. Additionally, programs requiring accreditation with independent accrediting/certification agencies are accredited/certified by those agencies.

Course Evaluations

To ensure continuous improvement, Gwinnett Tech distributes course evaluations for each instructor every semester. This feedback helps the college enhance the quality of its programs and instruction.

Nontraditional Fields

Gwinnett Tech is committed to promoting diversity in nontraditional fields, which are defined as occupations or fields where individuals from one gender comprise less than 25 percent of the workforce. These fields often include careers in computer science, technology, and other high-skill occupations.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from Gwinnett Tech, students must file an application for graduation online and pay the required processing fee. Completion of course requirements alone does not guarantee graduation; an official audit is necessary. Gwinnett Technical College will limit academic residency to no more than twenty-five percent of the degree requirements for all degrees for active-duty servicemembers. Academic residency can be completed at any time while active-duty servicemembers are enrolled. Students must also complete all required developmental coursework. Additionally, SCT 100/COMP 1000 (Introduction to Computers) and any CIST courses cannot be older than seven years at the time of graduation. Students may need to retake these courses or pass an exemption exam.

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Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Standards

The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) has developed curriculum standards in collaboration with business and industry. These standards serve as industry-validated specifications for each occupational program, ensuring that students receive training that is relevant and aligned with industry needs.

Learning Outcomes

Gwinnett Tech emphasizes learning outcomes that foster the knowledge, skills, and values essential for lifelong learning and career success. Each academic program identifies specific outcomes and uses assessment methods to measure student achievement. Improvements are then implemented to enhance the quality of each program. A learning outcome is a brief, clear statement identifying in measurable terms the intended result of achievement of competencies. Learning outcomes focus on the specific performance(s) students are expected to demonstrate when the outcome is achieved. The means of assessment is a description of the methodology used to gather data in order to determine whether the learning outcomes have been achieved.

Key Learning Outcomes: Critical Thinking, Research, and Technology Literacy

Gwinnett Tech focuses on developing three key learning outcomes in its students:

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: Graduates will learn to use cognitive skills requiring mental agility and intellectual discipline gathered from, or generated by, creativity, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication.
Research and Locating Information: Students will acquire the ability to identify information needs, understand information organization, identify the best sources, locate those sources, evaluate them critically, and share the information.
Technology Literacy: Students will learn computer skills and the ability to use computers and other technology to improve learning, productivity, and performance.

Electives

Students can choose electives to complement their chosen program of study. Electives are designated as either general or technical/technically-related. Students may choose general electives from the variety of programs offered at Gwinnett Tech. Students must choose technical or technically-related electives from the program area indicated with academic advisor approval. All prerequisites for elective courses, including test scores, must be met.

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