Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) History and Academics

History

Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) began as three separate colleges with unique missions. The first, Owensboro Community College, became an independent member of the Kentucky Community College System in 1986 and moved to its current location in 1989.

The Owensboro Trade School began in a garage in 1929, but moved to newer facilities twice before 1941. It was the first technical school in the area, and served high school students and adults. Finally, the Daviess County State Vocational Technical School was established in 1971 to meet the growing demand for vocational programs. By 2003 the Community College and the two trade schools had merged to form what is now the OCTC.

Information Summary

Ranks 45th in Kentucky and 2619th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	55.7
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$5,248
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	19 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	61% / 44%
Enrollment Total (all students)	3,940

Academics

The OCTC has a diverse course offering rooted in the missions of the three original colleges. Students can choose from associate programs, diplomas, and technical certificates, as well continuing education classes and workforce training.

Students can take classes at any of the three campuses, though some courses and programs are only available at one location. Some programs are also available online, so students can work on their degree from home. OCTC has a flexible schedule with daytime, evening, and weekend courses.

OCTC has a Transfer Framework agreement that guarantees that all credits earned for an Associate in Arts or an Associate in Science degree at OCTC will transfer to a four-year university. Students who want to continue their education beyond the associate level can begin their baccalaureate studies with half of the program already completed. A.A. and A.S. degrees each require 60 credit hours of coursework.

The Associate in Applied Sciences degree does not transfer, but does offer 13 different courses of study for students who want to acquire new skills and enter the workforce.

Diplomas and certificates are ways to boost your career or pick up a new skill more quickly. Diplomas take three to four semesters to earn and train students to work in specific technical fields. Certificates can take only one semester to earn, and often focus on purely technical programs.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Gallery

Unique Programs

The Mechatronics program at OCTC teaches state-of-the-art technologies in growing fields. The word ‘Mechatronics’ comes from the melding of mechanical technology, computer systems, and electrical technology. It is the study of how systems can be made more efficient, economical, and powerful through a combination of these three disciplines.

Students of the Mechatronics program take classes in the Advanced Technology Center on OCTC’s main campus. The Center has industrial laboratories and teaches through a hands-on active learning approach.

The Mechatronics program is open to high school students who want to earn college credit while still working towards their traditional diploma. The program can pave the way to future study in one of OCTC’s technical fields, including Engineering Technology, Computer Aided Drafting and Design, and Machine Tool Technology.

Admissions

OCTC is an open admissions college and accepts any student with a high school diploma or a GED. Prospective students can submit an application online or in hardcopy, along with proof of a diploma or GED certificate, to get started. High school graduates should also submit an official transcript, along with transcripts from any colleges previously attended, and ACT or COMPASS test scores.

The START Center is where you can go to fulfill the Student Testing, Admissions, Registration, and Transcript Requirements. Counselors are available to help students with every step of the application process, from requesting transcripts to buying books.

Degree-seeking students may also want to declare a major shortly after registering. Academic advisors are assigned based on major interests, so the sooner you make your academic goals official, the sooner you can begin receiving personalized guidance.

Applications for the fall semester should be completed by the beginning of April, and applications for the spring semester should be completed by the beginning of November.

Financial Aid

Federal and state governments offer a wide range of financial support. Begin your search for aid by completing the FAFSA, which is available for free at www.fafsa.gov. This form determines eligibility for many government-funded forms of aid, including grants, loans, and work-study programs. It is also required for a number of third-party scholarships and aid programs, including the scholarships offered by OCTC.

OCTC also offers a number of school-funded and privately-funded scholarships, which are often based on a combination of financial need, academic performance, and program type. Students interested in these opportunities should fill out the online Scholarship Application, which is available from the Financial Aid website. The Scholarship Application form lists all of the available scholarships for the current term, along with the different requirements and specifications for each one.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 6433rd for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Kentucky.

Local Community

OCTC serves the area surrounding Owensboro, Kentucky, a region with a population of 140,000. When the college first opened, Owensboro was predominantly an agricultural economy. Most residents were employed in the farming, mining, and manufacturing industries. Recently, however, the residents have moved toward service-oriented businesses and diversification, which has affected the mission and offerings of OCTC.

The Owensboro Region is also traditionally steeped in the arts and culture, with strong community support for education and higher learning.

Additional School Information

OCTC has over a dozen student clubs and activities. Join the Outdoor Association to go on an excursion nearby, or exercise your inner thespian with the Oak Island Theatre. Students can also participate in the Student Government Association, which lobbies on behalf of the students and helps to manage the many campus events and activities, or join the Environmental and Ecology Club to work towards making the campus more sustainable.

OCTC is home to Skylark, the student literary magazine, which publishes poetry and prose from student submissions. It also hosts a chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, an internationally recognized honor society for excellent students with a high GPA.

Outside of classes and clubs, students can benefit from services like reduced-fee childcare and an on-campus bookstore. Students can also visit the Counseling Center and Advising Central for help, guidance, and resources on any issue they come across in their academic or personal life.

When graduation is approaching and students are looking ahead to finding a job and beginning their career, the Career Resource and Transfer Center is the central hub for all of the information and assistance you’ll need to jumpstart your search. Access local listings, participate in job fairs, get resume and interview tips, or talk with a career advisor about your goals.

Bibliography

“Kentucky: Council on Postsecondary Education – Overview.” Kentucky: Council on Postsecondary Education – Home. Web. 31 July 2011.

Owensboro Community and Technical College – Owensboro Home. Web. 01 Aug. 2011.

Owensboro Community & Technical College. Scholarship Opportunities | Fall 2011 – Spring 2012 Application. Print.

Owensboro Community and Technical College