OBJECTIVES:
The major objective of the Department of Graphic Communication Systems and Technological Studies (GCSTS) is to provide quality competency-based instruction so that men and women will be prepared to enter the fields of technology education, graphic communication systems, and vocational industrial education. In addition, the Department assists majors in developing those critical competencies in the sciences, communications, mathematics, and technical specialties essential to securing positions in related industrial, business and government careers.
DEGREES OFFERED:
• Bachelor of Science - Technology Education
• Concentrations: Technology Education, Teaching
• Trade and Industrial Education, Teaching
• Training and Development for Industry
• Bachelor of Science - Graphic Communication Systems
• Technology Education - Master of Science*
*See the Graduate School Bulletin.
Concentrations:
• Technology Education, Teaching
• Trade and Industrial Education, Teaching
• Workforce Development Director
• Training and Development for Industry
GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
Student admission to undergraduate degree programs in the Department of Graphic Communication Systems and Technological Studies is based on general admission requirements of the University. Admission, retention, and state licensure of students in technology teacher education programs are based on policies described in the School of Education section of the Bulletin.
Persons with technical preparation and interest in post secondary vocational technical education or technical training programs in private industry or business which do not require teacher licensure may pursue a bachelor’s degree in the Department of Graphic Communication Systems and Technological Studies. Students pursuing this option will not be recommended to receive teacher licensure in North Carolina.
Community college and technical institute graduates and other transfer students may be admitted to undergraduate Graphic Communication Systems and Technological Studies programs with advanced classification by submitting credentials to the University Admissions Office for individual assessment. The maximum transfer credit from Associate Degree technical programs is 64 semester hours or approximately junior status. Students transferring to the Department of Graphic Communication Systems and Technological Studies from other disciplines must have a minimum of 2.0 grade point average.
DEPARTMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
Technology Education: Technology Education, Teaching concentration. Students must complete 128 semester hours, which include general studies, professional education, major courses, second academic concentration and electives. Included in the major sequence are technical electives. The grade point average in major courses must be 2.0 or better.
Technology Education: Trade and Industrial Education, Teaching concentration. Students must complete 128 semester hours, which include general studies, professional education, major courses, second academi concentration and electives. Included in the major sequence are technical electives concentrated in one of the following seven optional cluster areas: Construction Industries, Drafting and Graphic Industries, Electronic Industries, Manufacturing Industries, Transportation Industries, Printing Industries, and Service Industries. The grade point average in major courses must be 2.0 or better.
Technology Education:
Training and Development for Industry concentration. Students must complete 126 semester hours, which include general studies, major courses, and electives. Included in the major sequence are technical electives concentrated in one of the following seven optional cluster areas: Construction Industries, Drafting and Graphic Industries, Electronic Industries, Manufacturing Industries, Transportation Industries, Printing Industries, and Service Industries. The grade point average in major courses must be 2.0 or better. For persons who possess prior technical transfer credits or work experience in recognized areas of trade and industrial education, further technical sub-options are available within the cluster areas above. Such students will pursue individualized programs tailored to meet their specific needs, provided the following conditions are
satisfied:
- The area selected for a technical concentration in the major must be recognized by the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction for Trade and Industrial teacher certification.
- The student must initially enter the program with advanced classification.
* Persons holding an Associate Degree in the technical field may apply such transfer credits toward meeting technical course requirements.
* Persons meeting University admission requirements desiring to substitute work/trade experience to meet technical course requirements in the field selected may receive college credit by satisfactory completion of a competency-based examination. Graphic Communication Systems Majors. Students are required to complete 126 semester hours of University course work. A minimum of 30 semester hours must be completed in the technical specialization. A minimum grade of “C” must be earned in all major courses. Students must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better for all course work.
NOTE: Transfer students and persons applying college credits earned through competency examinations may apply a maximum of 24 semester hours of credit toward meeting technical course requirements in degree programs.
ACCREDITATION
The technology education programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and are approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The technology education program is certified by the International Technology Education Association (ITEA). The graphic communication systems program is accredited by the National Association for Industrial Technology (NAIT).
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Excellent employment opportunities exist for persons trained in technology education. Public schools (K-12), community colleges, technical institutes, colleges, and universities are in constant need of securing qualified teachers in technology education. Teaching positions continue to remain open for technology education specialists and shortages of personnel are reported in many states. Schools are experiencing major difficulty in locating competent persons to fill technology education vacancies.
In addition to teaching, many career opportunities exist for vocational-industrial education graduates. These include industrial-business enterprises, government agencies, rehabilitation and manual arts therapy centers, private school and recreational camps. Vocational industrial education graduates are employed as training directors, managers, supervisors, engineering assistants, sales, and safety personnel.
Graduates of the graphic communication systems program option have a
variety of career options in management, production, design, or sales. A
range of opportunities is available in photography, design, advertising,
in-plant printing, and publishing
