The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Occupational Development is a statewide program involving various colleges within the West Virginia Higher Education system, the United States Department of Labor, and the Bureau of Apprenticeship Training. Minimum / Maximum of 60 credit hours.

These degrees are negotiated between an organization and the college. These are not degrees that students may enroll in without being employed by a participating organization.

Although each degree is similar, there may be differences between each organization that participates in them. Students are advised to contact the Human Resources Office of their participating organization or the Workforce, Technical and Computer Information Sciences Division at WVU Parkersburg for more details.

1. American Electrical Power (AEP) Lineman
2. Constellium Millwright/Electrical Training Program
3. Mid-Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters - JATC, WV District
4. Millwright Local 443
5. Parkersburg Joint Electrical Apprenticeship Training Center
6. Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 565
7. Sheet Metal Workers Local 33
8. WV Construction Craft Laborers
9. Iron Workers 787

Sample State Approved Curriculum Guide (May Differ Between Organizations)

• General Education – 15 credit hours minimum
  • Communication Skills (6 credit hours):
    • 3 credit hours business or technical writing
    • 3 credit hours communication
  • Quantitative Skills/Laboratory Science experience (6 credit hours):
    • 3 credit hours college-level mathematics course
    • 3 credit hours quantitative skills/laboratory science course
  • General Education Electives (3 credit hours)
    • 3 credit hours
• Technical Core/Occupational Specialty – 39 hours maximum
  • Classroom/Laboratory contact hours of Occupational Education
    converted to credit hours at the usual rate of 15:1 (classroom) or 30:1 (laboratory)
• On-The-Job Training (OJT) in the Occupation – 12 hours maximum
  Maximum of 2,400 contact hours of on-the-job training, converted to credit hours on a ratio of 200:1, can be counted toward the A.A.S. degree.

To determine if a particular union participates, please contact the union hall or the Workforce, Technical and Computer Information Sciences Division at 304-424-8383.