Integrative Occupational Studies Program
You might be closer than you think!
For any number of reasons, you may have changed your mind about your career path since you originally enrolled in college, but don’t want to start all over to earn the credits needed for graduation. Obviously, you want to use all the credits you possibly can toward your degree!
Many prospective students meet with one of our advisors and discover they’re closer to the finish line than they thought! If you combine your military experience and former credits (earned at Kirtland or transferred from an accredited college), an Associate in Applied Science in Integrative Occupational Studies could be yours in a short period of time.
Finish your degree HERE with credits for your military experience and/or former college attendance
You may have accumulated military training you’d like to convert to college credits.
You may have collected a number of college credits in an occupational program* but lack enough credits concentrated in one field to complete a traditional associate degree.
Whatever your circumstances, if your priority is FINISHING YOUR DEGREE and doing so as quickly as possible, welcome to Integrative Occupational Studies, an interdisciplinary degree for students from occupational programs.*Â Â
Integrative Occupational Studies is a highly customizable degree path. It’s the only degree at Kirtland where you can take credits and experience that you already have and design a course of study comprised primarily of courses you’re interested in. (Remember: You’ll need help from your advisor.) There are some required courses, but it’s largely customizable.
* Your occupational electives can come from any of these occupational courses: Accounting, Allied Health, Automotive, Business, Computer Information Systems, Cardiac Sonography, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Cyber Security, Electrician, Engineering Design Technologies, HVAC/R, Industrial Maintenance, Machine Tool Technology, Manufacturing Process Technology, Marketing, Mechatronics, Medical Coding, Nursing, Phlebotomy, Studio Art, Surgical Technology, Wood Science Technology, and Welding and Fabricating.
Career Opportunities
Associate degree completers in Michigan earn an average of over $10,000 (or 36%) more annually than high school diploma completers.
Median earnings in Michigan with a High School diploma: $28,876
Median earnings in Michigan with an Associates Degree: $39,297
Source: http://www.higheredinfo.org
At Kirtland you’ll finish with an:
Associate in Applied Science, Integrative Occupational Studies
This is an interdisciplinary degree; you’ll have the freedom to design a unique academic program.
We value what you’ve learned in the past and will help you put your past learning to work for you.
Within certain parameters, you’ll have the freedom to design your own degree. Starting with the courses you’ve already gotten credit for and/or your military experience, you can create an associate degree with a more personalized major!
To a large extent, this allows you to choose your remaining courses, which can stretch across multiple academic disciplines. Sound too good to be true?
Prove to yourself that it IS true.
Make an appointment with an advisor and find out for yourself today.
While designing your degree, you can often choose to take either online or on-campus courses. Either way, you’ll be learning from dedicated, accomplished faculty.
FACULTY
- One thing Kirtland is known for is having caring faculty who not only know their subject area, but also care deeply about the wellbeing and progress of their students.
- College-wide, our faculty consistently receive glowing reviews from students!
- Our faculty put themselves and their personalities into teaching. Even online courses are lively and interesting.
- Faculty members often form lasting connections with students and keep up with them long after they leave Kirtland.
ONLINE Courses
For many of the courses you choose, you can attend classes ONLINE with faculty who are experts in online learning.
- Kirtland is consistently ranked among the top 25 sources for online learning in America. We’re not newcomers to online education! We’ve been teaching online for over ten years.
- Our classes are highly interactive.
- Our faculty are very responsive to email requests for support, usually responding within 24 hours! We know that, if you take the time to write to us, you need help now, not a week from now!
- We have a Center for Teaching and Learning that teaches new faculty how to be effective online and to maintain our high standards.
- This is not a plug-and-play robotic interaction with students! We get personally acquainted with our students and make ourselves available to help them.
ON CAMPUS Courses (stop by and see for yourself!)
For some of the courses you may choose, you can attend classes on our Grayling or Gaylord campus, meet your classmates, and have even more interaction with faculty.
For many learners it’s preferable to be physically on campus to have in-person relationships with other students and faculty.Our classrooms are equipped with the latest technology. Not only do we have a beautiful campus with labs in many subject areas that duplicate real-life work environments, we also use the latest in innovative instructional technologies in our ‘smart classrooms.’
Passionate student-focused advisors provide the guidance you need to succeed.
Our advisors have a well-earned reputation for kindness and exceptional levels of commitment to our students’ success. They will do everything in their power to get you the right information and answer your questions.
This is especially important in an interdisciplinary degree program like Integrative Occupational Studies. Your advisor will take a look at the credits you’ve already accumulated, make certain any military training you have is translated into college credits, and (taking your interests into account) advise you on how to complete your degree in the most direct way.
Many prospective students meet with one of our advisors and discover they are way closer than they thought to finalizing their degree! That could be your experience, too.
Kirtland makes it easier to work out the finances
You can save a lot of money by enrolling here. Our tuition rates are one-third the cost of most four-year schools and universities, which puts you at a real advantage!
We also have many resources for financial aid and professional staff who’ll help you apply.
Get help with your financial aid
You may be surprised by how simple it is to apply for government grants, scholarships and loans.
Your credit history is not a major consideration in qualifying for federal aid. You DON’T need to attend school full-time to qualify. And we will assist you with the process you’re dreading IF you need help. Often students are eligible for more money than they’re expecting.
Your path to a lucrative & fulfilling future
Step 1 — Get Started
Apply for admission to the college. Apply for financial aid. p.s. If you need assistance with your financial aid application, we’re here to help!
Step 2
Speak to an advisor!
They’ll help you navigate the process and make decisions re: your customized interdisciplinary program. Declare Associate in Applied Science, Integrative Occupational Studies as your program of study with your advisor.
Step 3
Complete your program courses, including your general education courses.
Step 4
Graduate. Celebrate! You’ve gathered up your credits for past work and finished with an associate degree. We’re so happy for you!
FINAL STEP
Take your degree and everything you’ve learned; move forward to the next phase, whatever that is. Congratulations!