The Requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education

Business professionals often pursue a degree in occupational education to bolster existing skills.

A degree in occupational education is designed to give working adults a clear route to a bachelor's degree. Curriculum is designed around a professional that already has a certain amount of work experience and educational background in the field he is seeking a degree in. Coursework is completely dependent on the area of business or other related field in which the student is employed.

Desired Career Field

In order to successfully pursue a degree in occupational education, a student must have prior work experience in a field in which he wishes to further pursue his career. A career goal is required because occupational education is a highly tailored major where the student will only take classes relevant to his chosen field. Coursework is determined with the assistance of a faculty adviser who will guide the student along the best path to achieving a degree in occupational education.

Previous Educational Experience

A degree in occupational education is designed for students that have already completed two years of general education requirements at a two-year university and are transferring credits to a four-year institution. According to Northern Arizona University's website, those seeking a degree in occupational education must have this coursework already completed upon transfer. This is because the program builds on concepts such as career planning and occupational development that should already be in place from the student's community college experience.

Undergraduate Coursework

Once a student transfers his credits into a four-year university, coursework will focus predominantly on his occupational education major. Classes will cover subject matter such as business writing, ethics, computer applications and supervision in an effort to prepare the student to take on a leadership role in the field in which he already has work experience. Degree completion will take two years at most universities. Courses are usually delivered in a nontraditional setting like the University of Central Missouri's occupational education program which delivers courses online, on weekends and at times convenient for those students working full time.

References

• Texas State University: Occupational Education Department
• University of Central Missouri: Occupational Education
• Northern Arizona University: Occupational Education