One-Year Option

Overview

Ohio's FY 2014-2015 biennium budget, House Bill 59, requires the Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents to establish a One-Year Option credit articulation system by no later than June 30, 2014. This Option will allow graduates of Ohio Technical Centers who complete a 900-hour program of study and obtain an industry-recognized credential approved by the Chancellor to receive 30 college technical credit hours toward a technical degree upon enrollment in an institution of higher education.

The legislation also requires the Chancellor to submit a report to the General Assembly by June 30, 2014, in accordance with section 101.68 of the Ohio Revised Code, that recommends a process to award proportional credit toward a technical degree for students who complete a program of study between 600 and 899 hours and obtain an industry-recognized credential approved by the Chancellor.

In response to the legislation, four credit affirmation teams have been created. Credit affirmation teams consist of a balance of members from Ohio Technical Centers and Community Colleges. The task of the credit affirmation teams is to review programs that are applicable for the One Year Option. Applicable programs are Ohio Technical center programs that are 600 clock hours or greater and students are able to earn an industry recognized credential approved by the Chancellor.

Credit affirmation teams are in the process of reviewing these programs to soundly affirm awarding a block of credit to students eligible for the One Year Option. In order to be eligible, students must have completed a program at an Ohio Technical Center that is 600 clock hours or greater, earn an industry recognized credential approved by the Chancellor, and the program credential pathway must be approved by a credit affirmation team.

In establishing a One-Year Option credit articulation system and recommending a process to award proportional credit, Ohio plans to build upon the state’s existing articulation and transfer processes. The state has invested vast resources to make a system of articulation and transfer a reality, and will continue to support this great commitment. The Chancellor believes the current system comprised of the Ohio Transfer Module (OTM), Transfer Assurance Guides (TAGs), Career and Technical Transfer Guides (CTAGs), and various other approaches used to help students move seamlessly through the higher educational landscape provides a strong foundation and numerous options for student success.